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Editorial
July 4, 1791
The Patowmac Guardian, And Berkeley Advertiser
Martinsburg, Shepherdstown, Berkeley County, Jefferson County, West Virginia
What is this article about?
Editorial advocates for universal public education funded by community treasuries, emphasizing its role in enlightening minds and building virtue from infancy. Praises Providence, Rhode-Island's example of appointing and paying schoolmasters from town funds.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
SHEPHERD'S-TOWN, July
Knowledge or education is to the mind, what the natural sun is to the world—it enlightens, improves, and expands the human soul. If education then may be justly compared to that glorious luminary who sheds his benignant influences on all, what forcible idea is impressed on the contemplative benevolent bosom, of the justice and indispensable necessity and importance of diffusing the rays of instruction and knowledge on all the members of the community. The gospel is preached to all and whosoever will may come and partake of the blessing—but may not this be justly compared to building without laying a proper foundation; If the basis of a good constitution of body is laid in infancy, how much more requisite is it that the foundation of virtue should be laid by an early education. Learning, like liberty, should be the natural inheritance for our children, whether rich or poor. This can only be in a competent degree, by ordaining that schools and instructors shall be appointed sufficient to instruct all, and paid out of the treasury of the corporation,
The town of Providence, in the State of Rhode-Island, has lately set an example which is worthy of the imitation of every community, whether large or small, viz.
"That a sufficient number of schoolmasters, to instruct all the children in town, should be appointed, and that their salaries should be paid out of the town treasury; a proposition that received an almost unanimous approbation—and a number of the opulent gentlemen who will pay largely to the support of this establishment, have interested themselves warmly in its favor."
Can any thing reflect higher honor on the human Character, than such benevolence and genuine patriotism;
Knowledge or education is to the mind, what the natural sun is to the world—it enlightens, improves, and expands the human soul. If education then may be justly compared to that glorious luminary who sheds his benignant influences on all, what forcible idea is impressed on the contemplative benevolent bosom, of the justice and indispensable necessity and importance of diffusing the rays of instruction and knowledge on all the members of the community. The gospel is preached to all and whosoever will may come and partake of the blessing—but may not this be justly compared to building without laying a proper foundation; If the basis of a good constitution of body is laid in infancy, how much more requisite is it that the foundation of virtue should be laid by an early education. Learning, like liberty, should be the natural inheritance for our children, whether rich or poor. This can only be in a competent degree, by ordaining that schools and instructors shall be appointed sufficient to instruct all, and paid out of the treasury of the corporation,
The town of Providence, in the State of Rhode-Island, has lately set an example which is worthy of the imitation of every community, whether large or small, viz.
"That a sufficient number of schoolmasters, to instruct all the children in town, should be appointed, and that their salaries should be paid out of the town treasury; a proposition that received an almost unanimous approbation—and a number of the opulent gentlemen who will pay largely to the support of this establishment, have interested themselves warmly in its favor."
Can any thing reflect higher honor on the human Character, than such benevolence and genuine patriotism;
What sub-type of article is it?
Education
Social Reform
Moral Or Religious
What keywords are associated?
Public Education
Early Learning
School Funding
Virtue Foundation
Providence Example
What entities or persons were involved?
Town Of Providence
State Of Rhode Island
Opulent Gentlemen
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
Importance Of Universal Public Education
Stance / Tone
Strong Advocacy For Publicly Funded Schools
Key Figures
Town Of Providence
State Of Rhode Island
Opulent Gentlemen
Key Arguments
Education Enlightens And Improves The Human Soul Like The Sun
Early Education Lays The Foundation For Virtue
Learning Should Be Inheritance For All Children, Rich Or Poor
Schools And Instructors Must Be Appointed And Paid From Public Treasury
Providence Example Of Appointing Schoolmasters Paid By Town Treasury