Fergus County Democrat. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1904-1919, 1906-05-29


and financial affairs of the country
who conduct the manufacturing in
dustres, manage our transportation
interests and do our banking and mer-
chandising, are often the product of
the common school. Even in the learn
ed professions, the successful pursuit
of which demands the best brain and
skill, we find the pupil of the common
school competing with the man who
has won his degree-the latter not one
whit more proficient in his calling, or
more useful to his fellow than the for
mer Examples are within the know1-
edge of everyone. We find them in ev
cry department of life. In many cas-
es industrious application during time
not occupied by the demands of daily
employment overcomes the handicap
imposed by the lack of early advan-
tage;and we find men of high stand
Ing at the bar in medicine, Journal
ism and in politics, whose way to sue
cess has been won by individual eff
fort without the aid of classical train
ing. In more than one instance has
it been written Of president Of these
United States, that he obtained his
education in the common schools.
While this is true, the great middle
class Of our people put forth no speci-
al effort to supplement their element
ary education. Such fitness as they
have acquired from this source gives
them their standing as intelligent, en-
enlightened members of society, and
their worth to the state depends in
great measure upon what the charac-
ter of their training has been
I do not wish to be understood as
belittling in any sense the Importance
of higher education. The more gener-
al it is the better it is for the individ-
ual and for the state. 1t is the duty of
every father so far as his means will
permit to give his sons and daughters
every advantage. Furthermore, ev-
cry young person who, having the ad-
vantage, fails to improve it to the ut
most eXtXent and to acquire the cul-
ture and knowledge thus within his
reach, loses the only opportunity ever
offered for a profitable investment. the
income from which would make life
easier and add to the general welfare.
1t may even be said, further, that du-
ty to ones self requires individual eff
fort and sacrifice in order to supply
what fortune, or chance of birth. has
denied
The end aimed at by education in the
broadest sense is the moral and INTEL
lectual betterment of the individual,
and thus to fit him to win his way in
life. So far as the state has to do with
it, the personality of the individual is
of no moment. The aim is the gener-
al diffusion of knowledge and the en-
lightenment of public opinion as a Sc
curity for the liberties and independ-
ence of the people.
1t is the fundamental idea, Of our
form of government that each individ-
ual should haVe the utmost liberty of
thought and action. consistent with
the safety and welfare of every other
individuals and that. within this limit,
each one may safely be left to accom-
plsih his own destiny according to the
dictates of his own judgment. In brief.
the controlling idea is: $50 use your
own as not to injure your neighbor.'
The government is a mere preventa-
tive agency to protect the weak
againts the strong, and to insure to
the individual citizsn the utmost free
dom of effort and aspiration. Each
may accumulate and enjoy as pleases
comes an oppression and wrong. The
safety and permanence of government
depends upon the strict observance of
this principle. At the same time it's
application does not go to the extent of
preventing the state from protecting
itself from the dangers which threaten
it from the ignorance of tis citizens.
1t is only through a virtuous and in
tD11 osA III.
be preserved. 1t is therefore strictly
within the province of the state,-nay.
it is it's duty, in the exercise of it's po-
lice powers, as it were,-to see that the
young are so taught and trained that
they may understand and appreciate
the responsibilities which presently
will be cast upon their shoulders and
be inclined to the proper performance
of them. Hence the power of the state
to tax the whole body of citizens to
maintain schools at the public expense
and require all alike to receive the
benefits afforded by them.
The founders of our government full
ly understood the significance and me-
cessity of general intelligence as
safeguard to our institutions. Almost
as soon as the republic was born our
state smen became solicitous in this be-
half.
Hence it is that large areas of pub
lie lands have been bestowed upon the
several states for the establishment
and support of schools and colleges.
Hence it is that we submit to heavy
burdens in the way of taxes to MAIN
tain them and make them efficient.
Hence it is that society. by common
consent, invades the home and COM
pels parents either to educate their
children at their own expense. or to
permit them to attend the public
schools during a part of each year.
1t is not contemplated, however, that
technical or professional education
+! should be bestowed at the expense of
the state AS soon as the pupil has
mastered the elementary branches
and has been sufficiently taught to en-
able him to understand his relation to
society and to have aspirations of his
own, the rights and duties Of the state
are at an end, and he must be left to