The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-02-06

habitants. The value of education is
incidentally enhanced in government
of the people, such as ours, where every
citizen may be called in his turn, TO leg
islate, or to execute. A general diff
fusion of knowledge, can alone ensure
and perpetuate our republican institu-
tions. Without competent portion of
information rational liberty cannot be
realized. It ceases, indeed, to be bless
ing. 1t degenerates into licentiousncss.
Your predecessors have made some
progress in the business, but not to the
extent of the constitutional injunc-
ttion.'
The poet sings:
Ill fares the land, to fastening lis n
prey,
Where wealth aecumulates and men
| decay.
Princes and lords may flourish or may
fade,
A breath can make them, as a breath
has made;
But bold peasantry, their country's
pride,
When once destroyed, can never be
supplied.
And Governor Snyder again, De,em.
her 3, 1912, calls for free schools and
says
"Many have been the essays of your
predecessors to carry into complete eff
feet, that constitutional injunction, for
providing by law for the establish
ment of schools throughout the State,
| in such manner that the poor may be
| taught gratis. Let not their failure
discourage, but rather prompt to ex-
| traordinary exertion to surmonnt the
| difficulty. On the want of general
| diffusion Of knowledge, the ambitioIs
found their hopes of success in over
throwing our invaluable political insti-
tutions, and on their ruins to erect
the throne of despotism; but, a general.
| ly enlightened and well informed peo,
| pie, once free, cannot be enslaved. IN
proportion. therefore. as we value lib
erty, let our efforts be to diffuse knowl-
elge as the most certain pledge of its
security
In his message December 10, 1873,
he says:
1.-The preservation of morals and
our free institutions, together with the
true interest of humanity would be
much promoted and their perpetuation
secured by the general diffusion of
knowledge amongst all our citizens. A
solemn injunction contemplating these
important objects, by the establish
ment of schools throughout the State,
though contained in the instrument
from which. the departments eonstitut-
ing the government derive their pow
ers, remains yet to be fulfilled on the
broad plain and liberal principles which
actuated those who enjoined the duty
In subsequent message, Decem-
ber s, 1915, in speaking generally on
the subject of education he said:
'While on this subject I feel it
duty to say. that from various consid-
erations and local causes, the 'injunc-
tion, that schools be established
throughout the State in such manner
that the poor may be taught gratis,
has not been carried into effect, to the
extent nor in the liberal spirit of that
instrument
In another message, December 3,
1916, he again urges this matter, and
in his last message December 5. 1917,
on the subject said, among other
things in regard to it:
ITO expatiate upon the utility of a
general diffusion of knowledge, would
be as lille as the means Of effecting
1t appears to be embarrassing. The
fact, however. is palpable, that sci
ence and intellectual improvement are
far behind the progress of wealth and
population
We have gone thus fully into this
matter and made such liberal quo
tations, because it Is of the greatest
Importance that it should be known
and established from the records that
the palm for being the first Governor
OF the Commonwealth. to personally
urge the legislature to give the State
free public schools, belongs to Cover
nor Simon Snyder. They were not es-
tablished under his administration, be-
cause the Legislature would not pass
the law which he urged, and which he
was anxious to approve.
Protests Against Slavery
The interests of the nation were
equally dear to the heart of Governor
Snyder with those of tine Common
wealth sover which he presided. and in
his annual messages he alluded 10 them
with as much devotion as though they
were the objects of his immediate care.
In his message of the 5th~ of December,
1911, he thus uttered his convictions
upon the subject of slavery. the first of
the Governors to enter his protest
against It: Elevated as IS her char
aeter for humanity, there is vet per-
mitted to remain one other stain ON
the otherwise fair and benign features
of her polity. The Calling yoke of
slavery is still felt by some of our fell
low creatures, in different parts of this
Commonwealth, and its pressure is made
the more severe, by witnessing the hap
piness and freedom of surrounding mul-
tltudes. A recent act of cruelty which
came under my notice and which awak-
ened feelings of Painful and distress
ing nature, will, | trust. excuse the
introduction TO your notice of a sub
Jeet so interesting to the whole human
family. and embracing facts and prac-
tees palpably inconsistent with the
terms and spirit of that fundamental
and innmutable law of reason, That all
men are born free and equal. " The
allusion above to the act of cruelty
shows that the Governor heart was
open to generous emotions, and that it
was touched with pity by every pang:
the result of wrong and injustice. in
hcted upon even the lowliest of the
human species.
Opposed a Selfish Combination
The following incident. given by
John Binns, a friend of the Governor
whe was present when the facts related
transpired, also illustrates the goodness
OF the Governor s heart and his readi- |
s,,1. II.