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Show WASHINGTON AND EDUCATION History has gloriously vindicated the action of those pioneers of this hemisphere who, with a bravery seldom before recorded, ruthlessly hewed away the chains that bound them to the old world and' ihi: old order and set out with a new government of their own making upon an uncharted sea, to mould their own destinies and to point the world toward self-government as the ultimate goal of man in politics. There are, no doubt, some who would deny these patriots the hithest glory that is theirs, and attribute their action more to the exigencies of the situation and the accidents of history than to a vision which impelled them to hew a path leading to a new order of things in government. But even though vision were completely denied them in their action to found a Republic, it is restored to them manifold times when we study again their advice as to the policies which this new ship of state, once launched, should adopt and follow if it would endure. One has but to reiad again' the words of admonition, warning and advice given in farewell by the Father of our Country, to be convinced of his vision with respect to the future policy of this government, and of the soundness of that vision; to know that he foresaw aright the storms ahead and the courses by which they could be avoided. It must be admitted that education is primarily the concern of the, individual. And in any other than a Republican form, of government gov-ernment it may be said more properly to find a sponsor in private enterprise than in the government. Certain it is that in a monarchy the government is not dependent for permanency or success upon an enlightened citizenry, but, on the contrary, flourishes where ignorance abounds. Failure to be concerned with the proper education educa-tion of the people can therefore be excused in such governments. But how different is a sovereign which is itself the people; a government which is composed of representatives of the people! Urder such a, government education becomes not only the concern of the individual and necessary for his advancement, but the concern con-cern of the government and necessary for its success and permanency. perma-nency. Listen again to the prophetic words of Washington: "Promote then, as an object of primary importance, institutions institu-tions for the general diffusion of knowledge. In proportion' as the structure of government gives force to public opinion, it is essential that public opinion should be enlightened." The new education bill, called the Curtis-Reed bill, is a step toward carrying out that injunction, and its successful passage should be the concern of every true American. In the past, education has been recognized) by our federal government only as a side line in another department. This bill would put it on a par with the other great government functions by creating a Department of Education Edu-cation with a secretary in the President's cabinet, responsibe solely for the proper supervision; of education in) this country. Nothing is more important to the welfare of our country, and recognition of this fact has been long enough deferred. : |