Gazette Of The United States

The word republicanism seems to be snatched up as a weapon to knock an adversary down. So much is said about it, one sees that our declaimers wish to make use of the word beyond what the present occasion. Do they come forward and honestly lay to the people—the great cause of inequality is the difference of education. He that knows much will influence those who know little; and if those who know much are few, and those who know little are many, an aristocracy exists, which nothing but the general diffusion of knowledge can remedy.

When will these men prove their republicanism by passing laws to establish free schools. Let the education of children become a common charge. If a man has property and no children, still he should be taxed to pay for the education of other men's children. The more knowledge the safer his property. It is a better protection than armies.

Every day before this work is begun, is time lost. It is planting seed which will continue to bear for ages. All other securities of liberty without this are trifling. Let every state then divide its territory into proper districts, and establish at least one school in each. Make a beginning, and afterwards carry on the good work as fast and as far as possible. Let the district be made liable to assessment for neglect, and let it be made the duty of every grand juror, on his oath, to present the breaches of the law.

In this wealthy and flourishing city, the experiment could not fail; and a beginning made here, would show what might be done elsewhere. The Philosophers, the Patriots, the friends of Liberty ought to rouse, and make a common cause against ignorance and vice, till in every part of united America provision shall be made by law for educating the children at the common charge.

Z.