The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-02-23

distant day to produce the most wonderful
results.
AS the country has grown, education fos-
tered by the state has kept pace with 1t. Rich
as are the collegiate endowments of the old
world, none Of them excel in munifcence the
! gifts made to educational institutions by the
ernments, in conformity with the influence
| which sound learning has on religion and
manners, on governmnet. liberty and laws
] Adams and Madison, Jefferson and Hamil-
ton, Sherman and Trumbull, Hancock, Jay,
Marshall, the Clintons and many others OF
our early statesmen were scarcely less earnest
and eloquent that Washington himself in
pleading the cause of sound and liberal edu-
cation for the people.
Not Surprising.
Nor does this seem surprising when re-
fleet that the truest aim and worthiest am
bition of education is not finished scholar
ship for the favored few, but the elevation Of
a high standard of citizenship among the
many. l have had peculiar satisfaction in
the fact that Washington in those early days
when engrossed with mighty governmental
problems did not forget his contributions for
the education Of the poor and left in his will
bequest to be dedicated to free public in
struction. Nothing better tells the value he
placed upon knowledge as an essential to the
highest and best citizenship How priceless
is liberal education. In itself what rich
endowment 1t is not impaired by age, but
its value increases with use. No one can
employ it but It's rightful owner. He alone
can illustrate its worth and enjoy it's re-
wards. 1t cannot be inherited or purchased.
1t must be acquired by individual effort. 1t
can be secured only by perseverance and
self-denial But it is free the air we
breathe Neither race, nor nationality, nor
sex can debar the earnest seeker from its
possession. 1t is not exclusive but inclusive
in the broadcast and best sense. 1t is within
the reach of all who really want 1t and are
brave enough to struggle for it. The earnest
friendly rivals in its pursuit and neither is
exempted from any Of the sacrifices necessary
| for its acquisition. The key to its title is
not the bright allurements of rank and sta
ton, but the simple watchword of work and
! study. A liberal education is the prize of in
dlvidual industry. 1t Is the greatest blessing
that man or woman can enjoy when sup
ported by virtue morality and noble aims.
But the requirement of learning in our
schools and colleges seems so easy that we
are apt to underestimate its value and let
the opportunity TO win it slip by until regret
| fully we find that the chance is gone The
1udiments must be migrated in youth or with
rare exceptions they are forever lost.
Cherish the public credit How much
both of recollection and instruction is conn
! blned in this simple admonition of the father
! of his country. The United States emerged
! from the bitter and prolonged struggle of the
! Revolutionary War exhausted financially and
with hundred existing perpleXities and diff
| the financial credit of the nation could be
established at home and demonstrated abroad
Able Assistants.
him and place in positions of trust the ablest
fnanciers and economists whose names the
/ country still venerates and whose great work
IT still enjoys. Hamilton and Morris and
EaIiatln and others were successful In estab-
nnshlng the treasury and in inaugurating the
Hnahclal operations Of this government upon
principles which recognized that the most
enduring basis of national credit was ma
tlonal honor, and that whatever other assets
we might have or acquire that was indis-
pensable, first, last and all the time. if we
would cherish the public credit. we have
eeen Iuliy rewarded all along our history by
aohering to the principles of Washington in
keeping the public faith. Before a century
mao passed we had paid off our national debt
ana had balance in the treasury. Another
debt, the greatest in our history, was in
CURED In the Civil War for the preservation
OF the Union. But this did not exceed the
resources or discourage the intention of the
American people. There were those who
suggested reputation, but the people re-
Pualated them and went on unchecked, dis
in the coin of honor.
From the day our flag unfurled to the
present hour, no stain of a just obligation
violated has yet furnished the American
This must and will be as true in the fut-
ure as it has been in the past There were
prophets of evil and false teachers Some
! part OF the column may waver and wander
away from the standard, but there will ever
rally around 1t mighty majority to pre-
serve 1t stainless and in honor.
AT no point in his administration does
Washington appear in grander proportions
thar, when he enunciates his ideas in regard
to the foreign policy of the government:
observe good faith and justice toward ali
nations; cultivate peace and harmony with
al; religion and morality enjoin this con-
duct Can it be that good policy does not
equally enJo1n 1t? 1t will be worthy of a
free enlightened and at no distant period
great nation, to give Ito mankind the mag
unanimous and too novel example of peo-
pie always guided by an exalted justice and
| benevolence.''
Comprehensive Chat.
Today, nearly century from Washington's
death, awe turn reverentially to study the
leading principles of that comprehensive
chart for the guidance of the people. It was