Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1899-11-24
Christianity as a Factor in Civiliza-
tiOn-Part 4.
From The Jefersonian, by ]. l.. LODGE
d. D., Editor.

From The Jetersonian, by ]. l.. LODGE,
d. D., Editor.
Popular education, meaning instruction
Of the masses in the rudiments OF learning
for which schooling is a better name-has not
been without its benefits, though it may be
blessing which "carries cause in its arms.
as the new moon carries the old" "a lit
tie learning Is a dangerous thing" as king
doms and republics have found out to their
cost At best, 1t reaches no farther than to
half civilize the populace. 1t may help to
absolve from the affection of fear, which
MontesQuieu regarded as the basis OF des-
potism; but unless there be superadded a
more energetic prinSSple arbitrary govern
ments are not subject to overthrow. In
proof of which there is the example OF Prus'
STA, which for century has been, with re-
spect to her schools, u model for all the
nations of the earth. But progress through
the humanities to the higher attitudes of true
science and philosophy procures that cul
ture which, by comforting the power to an
alyze and deduce, presents man to himself,
and makes him master first of himself, and
then of all others. 1t was not without reason,
based upon unusual knowledge of men and
the springs of motion, that Napoleon, with
customary bluntness, declared himself OPP
posed to having moral philosophy taught in
the schools of France. The man of Auster
litz Marengo, and Destiny, knew full well
what a foe TO tractability in the hand OF a
strong ruler is comprehensive knowledge of
ethical science. 1t embodies the very spirit
of self assertion and self reliance. The filthy
demagogue dare not approach the scholar
with a bribe In his hand, he rides into
power on the backs of bped beasts. Tyran
nous militarism would be impossible in the
presence of patriotism based on enlightened
views OF human rights; it draws all its sup
port from coercion in one set OF circum-
stances, or the barbarous propensity OF base
material, fit food for missiles of destruction,
in another. That which passes current for
education among the masses possesses no
rare regenerative, uplifting power. II is bet
ter infinitely better, than total illiteracy,
which is nearly the sum of all evils; but it
is insufficient II ability to read be used for
no better purpose than to devour the trash
which pours forth like whelming food, it
may be, and often is, dreadful curse. TO
the greedy heart the salient point in the
science OF numbers is the sign of plus, its
cry Is the voice OF the daughters Of the horse.
leech, "Give, give" its aptitu les and de-
slres nourishing in every generation what
Macdonald APPLY styles "the dirty little de
mons OF money making" the spirit long
regnant in their s:res No one acquainted
with the workings of common schools can
deny that the tendency is to impart too ex
cluslvely preparation to crafty the low
passion To sieze and enjoy the less worthy
forms OF the secular. A recent editorial con
tanned caustic criticism and stated preva-
lent motive, in the remark that Dumas pere
made books; Dumas fIs made money" The
ro0ters of the age are confined TO no country
and no cline.
The press ought to be, but In numberess
instances II Is not, real educator OF the peo-
pie Its effect is often to debauch, rather
than to elevate. There are few daily papers
distinguished for cleanliness and truth. The
county paper ia, in general, a thousand times
filter to enter the homes of responsibility;
and 1t will be hopeful indication when Its
generous patronage shall ensure higher
literary standard, and larger supp y OF in-
telligence suited to the taste OF the best peo
pie. Jefferson is rerOrted TO have said that,
II he were TO choose between government
without newspapers, or newspapers without
a government, he would take the last. II
we had not read it as quoted from his works,
1t would seem impossible that he should
have expressed such sentiment. But that
was long, long ago, when newspapers had
not become the vile and venal tools OF cabals,
corTuptiOnists, fanatics, zeaiots Tor party,
partisans of chartism, universal suffrage, the
prostitution of the ballOt-bOX to the use Of
| hordes of Ignorant and debased creatures,
driven like cattle to the voting places at the
command of astute but unprincpled cor
porations cliQues and sCOundres cOvetOus
TO gain or retain control Of governmental
authority for their own base uses, and thus
effectualy paralyZe the efforts OF the intel
ligenl and patriotic. 1t was not so long
since the time OF Jefferson, however, when
newspapers, for the sake Of votes for pOiti
clans whom they champoned, by silence,
when not giving palp4bie aid and comfort
to the anti renters of New York State, about
1910 3, encouraged iniquitous insurrection
airy proceedings till they were at last sup
pressed by vigorous legislation demanded
by the long deferred awakening of the moral
sense OF the better class of the population.
The revolution originated not with the
press, but was the spontaneous product of
virtuously angry population. He'll never
vomited forth a more dastardly gang OF
scheming hypocrites, political intriguers,
active agents and silent partners in legallzed
robbery, legalized butchery, in this new era
of "good pckings and stealings," than is
now championed and lauded by debauch
cd and time-serving press. 1t first ascer
tains what rotten "public"-the public it
can influenced sires, and serves il on
order. The educational, and, therefore, civ
ilizing influence OF pure and princip!ed
press would, indeed, be mighty.
Even with some education, civilization
destitute of religion is fragile shell through
which the devil in man may at any time
break forth Nature, in forming hun, still
minges the internal with the deitic. II is
this composition which makes civilization
and government so difficult. What means
that plant from DantonH 40, It were bet.
ter 10 be poor fisherman than 10 NEEDLE
with governing men" II has often been
asked, ID strOy the school, and what becomes
Of civilzatiOnY answer, blot out the pull
pit, and burn the Bible, and the school, I'M
aided, shall not be able TO prevent the en-
quilting tide of socialism and anarchy; shall
not be able TO prevent relapse into barbar-
ism. The plan will probably never be pop
ular 10 America, but the idea Is roofing it.
sell in the best minds that secular education
is most profitable only when gained under
the choicest moral influence. What would
be highly improper 10 the public school, be
cause supported by the taxes Of all the PEG.
pie, Is vastly proper, and ought TO be con
sdered Indispensable, In the seminary or
academy. The test for the charity school
and the college alike Is the progress made
10 getting the brute out Of the human, in
procuring some likeness To his Maker, In
awakening and furnishing faculties for force
fol action, in reaching the highe 81 point Of
culture for himself, that be may elevate the
the ignorant This is To be civilized and a
civiizer.