Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1903-06-26
ANGLES LETTER.
"Protests Against Education. |"

| virginia III lotl. Also tnat In one o.
his official reports to the lords commits
sioners of plantations he expressed him
self as follows:
"Thank God there are no free schools
nor printing-presses, and | hope that
there will be none for hundred years
for learning has brought disobedience
heresy, and sects into the world; and
printing has divulged these and Other
libels."
If he can in the spirit, view our "tur.
hulent freedom" in the present age he
will certainly say 81 told you So" Fol-
we cannot deny that the age is remark
able for overmuch learning, and the con.
sequent evils of "heresy, disobedience
and sects." = AS for the American press
1t is certainly no respecter of persons,
and doubtless causes disquietude and
injury to those who have reason to dread
publicity. But the worst that could be
said OF the institution is that it is a fit
appendage OF an alarmingly progressive
young republic. But, could an intelli-
gent people who enjoy the liberty of
working out the great problem of human
life in their own way, amenable only to
liberal laws and their own conscience.
TAIL to be progressive? Progress has
been the watchword of the past century.
And the result is that the young repub-
lie is in position to compel the respect
OF imperial power. And general educa-
ton is the life blood of progress. True,
there are many who predict troubles to
come from general cultivation of intel
lect. But these might just as we'll take
a phllosophic view of the matter, for out
OF their own mouths they stand con.
victed of selfishness and narrowness.
Take for instance the "protest of the
club women of Belleville, Ill.,, who are
clamoring for the abolition of the high
school for girls because learning causes
a dissemination to enter the servant
girl ranks-this being a result to be
classed with heresy and sectarianism."
The sentiments of these ladies convince
us OF only one thing, that education and
culture are not necessarily an essential
part OF high character. 1t is probable
that many of these ladies achieved their
present envlable social position through
the graces OF education gained primarily
In the public or free schools. If this has
taught them nothing better than to
compel others,-perhaps equally as
bright, naturally, as themselves-througb
and unjust restraints to earn
a livelihood by avocations distasteful
% themselves, and to debar these from
ocial equality, which is really gained
through education and culture, then the
higher education is failure as a factor
n promoting the general welfare and
'appiness.
II the argument had been for, or
'galnst' the utility of the higher educa-
ion to individuals of diverse posi-.
IONS then it had been worthy of world
'lde discussion. As it is we could only
~ that these ladies are probably doing
0 more real good for the world in
club land than would be possible if
icy were willing to diversity their Ia
ors by performing mental service for
Those who have really profted by
llture hold far different views of this
'oblem. And that such views are not
contlngence of aristocratic birth is
oven by the examples of Thomas JEFF.
FSoh' who was an aristocrat both in !,
accepted sense and through innate .
oility. These are his views on gen. =
ii education, given in a letter to :,
'orge Ticknor: !"
81 am now entirely absorbed in en-. =,
aVors to effect the establishment in "
, hatlve state OF a system of general OF
lcatlon on the triple basis Q) of ele. to
'ntary schools which shall give Tho be
lldren OF every citizen, gratis, compe. =,
u instruction in reading, writing and ~
hmon arithmetic and geography; (2I d.
legiate institutions for ancient and ba
dern languages, and higher instruc. Jo
n In history, arithmetic and peoo. oil
my; placing for these purposes a col an
e within days ride Of every inbabi. sp
Oh the state, and adding provision Gt
the iuil education at the public ex. tw
se OF select subjects from among the We,
!dren OF the poor, who shall have ax
loed the most prominent indications
lptness." "'io'S
We mad rather believe that the pres.
state OF general advancement in edu.
on owes its birth to Jefferson, who m
,ea each one to have a chance and 49,
1t by it. than to the exigences of the e .'
IS. Una
regard to compulsory education m '''
'r'aih limits, certainly it is bene. "
| in that :. = oehe- DIRE
!" ''ia' IL Is the means for the dis. ~
~ OF nascent talent. Even genius s"S ',
nave vocabulary. tao
Isla