The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1910-12-22
zone of six interesting articles written for
The Hickman Courier. Don't fail to read 40

tone OF six interesting articles written for
The Hickman Courier. Don't fail To read 40
GEHORREI9EIEGGEEEEEERE7E91IG
A young nobleman had just come
back to Sparta. lie had left home
years before. for what his friends
deemed the most foolish of reasons.
He had actually been dissatisfied with
the wild, barbaric lawlessness of Spar
IA and had gone 20 Egypt. India and
other civilized lands to study the art
of good government Now that he
had gained such knowledge he pro
ceeded TO put his learning to instant
use. Thanks TO his high rank and the
favor he enjoyed from King Labotas
of Sparta. this returned traveller, Ly-
curgus by name, had a free field for
work. Here is what he accomplished.
He found Sparta grooming under
misrule, ignorance and barbarism.
The mobiles ground down the people.
The people hated the mobiles. The
government was lax. the country poor.
Lycurgus' first step was to conhscate
all property. divide 1t into equal pOr-
the Spartans. He next broke up the
old tyrannical system of arbitrary
rulership and ordained senate of 2S
men (elected for life). all Of them
over 60 years old. Instead of one
king, he chose two. These we're to
rule Jointly. more as high priests
than as sovereigns, we're to serve in
the senate and were invested with
less power than has the president OF
the United States.
Every citizen was a voter The
senate was elected by the people and
its commands could be set aside by
them. Senators were at once law
makers. under APP
All Men Equal; nroval and secret
Government by diroctioD ~ Nv.
'"e re0P'e' curgus, and judges
in civil and criminal trials. In add
ton to these were appointed a board
Ut magistrates Chnown as ephors),
whose duty II was to protect the PEG
pies rights and to act as a restrain
ing influence on the kings
Lycurgus also divided the populace
into three classes: Warriors. trades
folk and helots Tor slaves). assigning
especial duties to each.
Now that he had arranged for the
peoples temporal and political vel
fare by a system OF socialism and pop
ular government Lycurgus turned his
attention to a still greater need. Spar
"a was a small, rather barren country,
sandwiched in among larger. richer
lands. Lycurgus saw II was only a
question OF time before one OF these
stronger powers should seek to an
mex Sparta. Against this he guarded
by making his country so dangerous
TO any of her foes that none dare at
tack her.
Sparta's only hope was in her army.
30 he made practically all the popu-
lace one vast army. II was a clear
case OF the survival of the fittest.
From the age OF seven boys we're
placed in the care Of the state and
were thenceforth subjected to an end
less course Of discipline, pain and
work. They were taught to go for
days without food OF sleep: 10 endure
tortures. perils and hardships that
would kill an ordinary man. They
were trained by the severest system I.
of athletics and instructed in the use
Of every weapon.
AS a result, every Spartan lad, by
the time he reached manhood, was
not only an ideal soldier, but consid-
cred II childish to give signs Of pain .
or fatigue. He was a perfectly de- 7
veloped human machine. There was
little or no home life for him. His I
future was at the service OF the state. I
not OF himself Sticky children we're .
put to death. A stupid man had no .
chance in life. Power OF body and .
shrewdness of mind alike were neces- /
sary for success, or even existence in /
that stern community. Sobriety and 4
strict temperance
Debt to Spar were the watch.
tan Reformer. -, :, ~
country. Boys were made to gaze on
the antics Of a drunken helot to dis
gust them with tippling. They were
shown the reasons for other nations
fall, to warn them against the same
faults. To promote personal equality,