JUNE 17, 1850.
This is Bunker-Hill
day; but, though the cause of human liberty is intrusted to us now, there is
not much of the Bunker-Hill spirit here. Compared with our fathers, we have
become a most mercenary race. With many, human freedom is a light affair, when
placed in the scale against money; and Mars and Mammon are the greatest gods in
the Pantheon.
We are just now
taking a vote to give a portion of the public lands to the States, to be
appropriated to the support of institutions for the insane, the deaf and dumb,
blind, &c. Almost all the public lands have hitherto been given to the States
in which they are situated; and, generally, more for business and economical
purposes than for charitable ones. What a glorious fund it would be, if all the
public lands, or their proceeds, could be consecrated to education and to the
amelioration of human suffering! I had a dream of this sort once, but shall
never be able to realize it. . . . The preliminary vote has passed by more than
three to one!
SOURCE: Mary Tyler
Peabody Mann, Life of Horace Mann, p. 302-3
No comments:
Post a Comment