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7

but of education itself, for the masses. Said a learned Virginia Judge to me, "You northern people have gone as mad as 'March hares' on the subject of education. What does the laboring class want of knowledge? Give them meal and [[crossed-out]] B [[/crossed-out]] bacon to make more muscle, and, [[crossed-out]] We [[/crossed-out]] we'll direct the muscle."

The state has, however, taken one step forward. The new Constitution, with its public free school system which has been standing on the table of the sick man for fifteen months, - a nauseous but wholesome draught - has just been swallowed, not willingly, it is true, but angrily and ruefully. The patients dislike for the medicine and hate for the doctor that compounded it, may retard and somewhat modify the effect of the dose, but cannot destroy it. - Ample provision is made in [[crossed-out]] the new constitution [[/crossed-out]] that instrument for the gradual introduction and permanent support of a comprehensive system of public free schools. The wealthy and aristocratic will oppose and retard the movement, but it will certainly go forward until the free school shall be as common, as excellent, and as honored