The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-09-17

riculture, manufactures, and commerce.
and by well-informed views OF political
economy 10 give free scope 10 the public
Industry" when he threw open his
library 10 the youths who gathered at
Charlottesville he wrote 10 Kosciusko:
I'm advising their course OF reading /
ondeavor 70 keep their attention fixed
on tho main objects OF all science-thc
freedom and happiness OF man-so that
coming 20 bear share In the councils Of
government OF their country they will
keen ever I'm view the sole objects OF
government.
The need OF such instruction as Mr..
Wilson suggests Is emphasized by the fact
that the people are getting their instruc-
ton on the science OF government and
the science Of government finance from
partisan sources. The politician as n
teacher IS n failure. for the reason that
he teaches the science OF government
from his own personal standpoint with
out regard to fact. Such teaching is alto
eether one-sided and altogether unreliable.
The politician who advocates the free
coinage OF silver brings to bear all the
arguments that he can rake up in favor
OF free coinage. and says little or nothing
about the argument on the other side.
The politician who advocates the gold
standard follows the same line OF argu-
ment. and too frequently fails to present
the arguments against II.
The same IS true Of the tariff question
and OF all other questions OF political
economy. It is impossible that the people
can learn the exact facts from such
teachers. and II IS needful that instruc-
ton be given by impartial teachers. whose
object is TO teach truth and not TO preju-
dice the students in favor OF this or that
policy.
II is very true that the science OF gov
eminent IS not an exact science. The
braluicst men Of all ages have disagreed
nc IN the best policy with reference 10
certain great economic questions. But
there are cardinal principles OF Republi-
can government that are established. and
there are principles OF political economy
which all unprejudiced men are agreed
and which may be relied upon. Then too
we have the facts Of history that are
reliable guides as to future action.
Instruction in all these things is neces-
sary TO the development Of craftsmanship
and the man who is thus instructed will
not be led away from truth and principle
by visionary theories and partisan argu-
ments.
As Mr.. Wilson so well says: "Only the
thoughtless and the ignorant delude them
selves with the idea that paper constitu-
tlons are the enectual safeguards of our
liberties and universal suffrage, the ca
nable administrator OF the institutions
through which we are to enjoy and possess
them forever"
our Constitution is a great instrument
and some have gone so far as to say that
if was inspired. 1t Is a most remarkable
fact that throughout all the changes
through which this country has passed
since our Government was founded, the
great principles Of the American Consti-
tuition have remained constant and few
changes to meet changed conditions have
been necessary. But the Constitution Is
nothing Of itself. 1t is simply guide for
human action. and unless sustained by
the people Of the United States, it will
become necessarily a dead letter.
False teachers have arisen at all pc
RODS OF our history, but they were never
perhaps so numerous and 50 rampant as
at this time. There are thousands who
teach and advocate Socialism and gov
eminent paternalism, until the mis-
chievous doctrine that the people must
look to the government for support has
gotten a firm hold upon n large number
Of the American people These doctrines
must be uprooted. or else our great re-
public IS in danger Of destruction. Let
the people learn the great lesson which
Thomas Jefferson taught. that the main
object Of all science, and the sole object
of government is TO secure the freedom
and happiness OF men. Let them get
rid OF the idea that II is the function OF
government to aid individual citizens In
acquiring wealth. Self-government is no
trining matter and, in order TO its sue
cessful accomplishment the people must
as Mr.. Jefferson has also said. he educated
up TO an appreciation Of the true func-
lions OF government
In entering upon his work Of education
in Virginia. Mr. Wilson has proclaimed a
great truth, has thrown out practical,
valuatle suggestion which we hope will
be acted upon by every teacher in the