Daily capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1896-1899, 1897-07-17
THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
AdIiess Delivered at Meha.na Encamp
ment by Professor J. Z. Tol.

Adlfess Delivered at Mehana Encamp
ment by Professor J. Z. Toll.
Founded upon the divine principle
of the brotherhood of man. based up
ON the equality of the individual in
the state, that institution which re
fiected to the greatest degree the pro-
gress ahd advancement Of America to-
day is her system Of the public schools.
Tie bulwark OF the nations liber-
ties, the corner stone of freedom and
of justice, it has striyen to rear among
rs the chief safeguard against ty-
ranny and oppression free, enlight-
ened people.
Due to its inspiring influence, its
broadening of the human sympathies,
it has given to us a common wealth
wherein the estate of despotic princes
or groyellng peasant is unknown.
In opening the portals Of learning,
in unlocking the doors of promotion
to all grades and conditions of men,
it has revolutionized society and called
forth the highest aspirations of Amer
ican manhood.
Essentially Democratic, the creation
birthright Of the common people, the
cOm0On school has broken no images,
cast down no conservative ideals,
rather in removing the social barriers
from the higher walks of life, it has
detracted nothing but has earnestly
saught to elevate the serf to sovereign
rank.
Altruistic in its embodiment, bone-
ticent in all its purposes, the school
has been actuated by single motive,
the well being, the betterment of
humanity.
The idea of popular education is no
modern innovation, instead a prin-
ciple grown venerable with the
weight of years, deduction from the
wis 1om of the ages, it has been
handed down by storied generations,
their best, their noblest heritage to
mankined.
Far back in the shadowy vistas Of
the past, even when the light of civ
ilization dawned upon historic Greece,
the elements of the public school had
been conceived. India, Egypt, Israel,
each had wrought an elemented form.
And when confronting the supine
races of the East arose Sparta, the
braye, Athens, the magnif ificlent, they
reared their empires on most endur
ing base-an educated citizenship.
In excellence commensurate to the
development of the race, the educa-
tional system has engaged the fore
most thinkers of the world.
The reflex Of national growth and |
attainment, the school has ever rep
resented the thought expansion of the |
period.
TO the early philosopher transcend |
ing the spirit of his time, it afforded |
subject for the most utoplan
dreams.
In the Athenian, who aimed at |
beauty and symmetry alone it served /
to rouse an intense, national fervor.
But to the Christian believing in
Immortality and the fatherhood Of
God, it holds WIDER more humanita-
rian significance. A means for the
unitication of all people.
With the advent of Christianity,
the spreading of the sublime tenets of
its faith the forces which contributed
to the broad and charitable system Of
the present found their origin.
The higher ,spirltuall. standard, of
the new dispensatiOn, the benign fra
ternalism of its lofty social statues
gave to the school that generous tol-
Grafton which admits all classes on
common ground.
Forced into religious seclusion by
that great cataclysm Of history which
wrecked the best achievements of the
world--the dark ages, the spirit of the
school was kept alive; and when Wy