Valentine Democrat. (Valentine, Neb.) 1900-1930, 1904-12-01

ago UOV. berkeley Sdlu Ol COuuI-
tons then existing in Virginia:
Il thank God there are no free
schools or printing presses and |
hope we shall not have them these
hundred years, for learning bring
disobedience and heresy and print
ing brings libel against best gov
eminent. God keep US frol
both"
We will not discuss Governo
Berkeley's foresight nor his re
ligion, his politics or his patriot
ism. Neither will we seek th'
source of the spirit which move'
him to pray as he did. We paust
only to note the fact that Other
colonies did not follow Virginia.:
lead, and that even the state ht
hoped to save from freedom ano
schools, became ere long mother
of presidents of country of free
schools and free presses.
What change! A complete
transformation in educational
standards since his day. That
which condemned a community in
Gov. Berkeley's eyes, commends it
to US today, namely; as interest in
| public schools. We believe with
Aristotle that "a state can be no
better than the citizens of which it
| is composed" and with Dionysius
| that the foundation of every state
is in the education of its youth"
The modern gospel is seek ye
first education of the people and
| all other blessings will be added
unto you" That is good gospel
for the nation. 1t is also good for
| the community. Our nation can
| point with pride to her schools.
Though the youngest, the United
States is the only nation in the
| world that expends more for edu-
cation than for war.
France spends st per capita for
her army and zoe for education;
| England 1912 for army and &c
for education; Prussia $2.O4 for
| army and SOC for education; Italy
1852 for army and Sec for educa-
ton; Austria $1.36 for army and
&c for education; Russia q. 04 for
| army and Sc for education. The
United States SOC for her army
and S1.35 for education.
England 6 to for war!
Russia IS to l for war!
The L. S. + to l for education.
The 9. S. spends more per cap
tia annually for education than
France and Russia combined.
Before attempting to describe
the best school it may be we'll to
decide what is the best education
for our boys and girls as we find
them represented in our schools.
Surely it must be the broadcast and
best which our system is able to
furnish, broad enough to equip
men and women with power to get
and do the best things in life, to
act we'll their part in society and
government. Education must be-
gin with the youngest. 1t must
be enjoyed by the poorest. It
must be shared by the richest. 1t
must be secured to the remotest
settler in distant states and terri
tories and freely given to the
humblest dweller in our great cit
les. 1t must reach and touch alike
the stately avenue and degraded
slums. In brief. every child must
be given and required to develop
the gifts with which God has en-
dowed him, that he may grow to
perfect manhood, to genuine cul-
ture, culture which in q hovpl or
mansion stands for character. The
best education for people j. an
education which will teach boys
and gi:ls their capabilities and
which will give them power to
grasp opportunities. to accom-
plish results, to realize worthy
ambitions, to know themselves, to
appreciate their limitations as we'll