Article #56 - Education

The weakness of the savage and the strength of the civilized man are recorded in the history of America. If we roll back the wheels of time but a few years we find this vast continent occupied by the unlettered sons of the forest who wielded over it undivided sway. A small handful of men landed upon its shores from the east. This small company brought with them that unseen power which we call education. Well [With?] nothing whatever to make them in any wise superior did they extend themselves over the vast area gradually and from time to time acquiring more and increasing themselves in numbers until now behold we have millions in number and we have absolute dominion over almost every acre on the continent, while that vast population who then were entire masters for the want of that intelligence which these few adventures had acquired have been driven from post to post toward the setting sun until now their claims upon the soil of their nativity and the land of their fathers is merely nominal.

Their very existence is fast verging to oblivion. This one illustrates alone from the scores of others which might be advanced although it does not demonstrate may be sufficient to saitsfy most persons that the increase of power which I have alleged the ignorant man may attain to by a right education is not too great. It has often been said that it takes nine tailors to make a man to which I will add it takes one hundred ignorant men to equal the power of one well educated man. This augmentation of physical and mental ability confers upon its possessor a corresponding soarse [sic] of pleasure. The consciousness of having the capability to do and perform the various duties which may fall to our lot in our course through life is a delight which none know but those whose faculties are thus expanding. The young man who is just setting out in the world with lifes journey before him finds when he steps upon the busy arena of society among its clashing interests high and arduous enterprises to be accomplished and various difficulties to be surmounted. If he is thrice armed by the full development of all those natural powers which God has given to be improved, he feels a confidence in his ability to perform his part on the busy stage. Yes it becomes his pride and pleasure to meet difficulty and even danger that he may combat and surmount them. If he is ignorant he at once feels his own weakness. He is discouraged. He knows that he cannot successfully encounter the various trials and besetments with which active life is filled. He sees that all the stations of honor and profit will be occupied by others because he knows his own incompetency to perform the duties which belong to them. A degree of despair gathers around his heart and benumbs and stupifies his spirit as he plods along through the lower walks of life a mere football in society kicked about here and there by all who find him in their way.

                                    G.

[Clipping:]

The world is a looking glass, and gives back to every man the reflection of his own face. Frown at it, and it will in turn look sourly upon you; laugh at it, and it is a jolly, kind companion.