THE DEMONSTRATION WORK 



monwealth ; simply the outlines of geography with the main divisions 

 and how to study it. I would add spelling, penmanship, the general 

 principles of our language, arithmetic, oral lessons in morals and in 

 the principles of our Government. This would give time for lessons 

 in domestic economy, hand craft and farming all thoroughly taught, 

 but in an elementary way. This should constitute a common school 

 education, free to all and compulsory to all. Outside of this let all 

 education be voluntary and be paid for by the individual. Do I 

 object to higher education? A thousand times, no; but I do object to 

 this universal effort to build second stories without any first, and all 

 at public expense." 



"For once in the history of civilization let us have a common 

 people thoroughly trained within the lines of their duties, full of 

 science of how to get a living, refined, courageous, and loyal to 

 Government and to God." 



"Our labor system is extravagant. The laborer resides in a hired 

 house, at a high rent, and lives out of the store, paying in some 

 cases 50 per cent profits; the family as a rule contribute nothing to 

 the support provided by the husband and father. His remedy for 

 all shortages is higher wages or a strike. Wages in the ongoing of 

 the world will decline, must decline. How can the laborers meet it? 

 Training will help, but there must be greater economy. The future 

 laborer must own his own house and a plot of land, where he pro- 

 duces most of the food for his family by the aid of the family. 

 Reduce the hours of labor to eight and the wages correspondingly 

 if necessary. Miles of territory around every manufacturing city 

 should be occupied with the vine-clad homes, of the thrifty wage- 

 earners. Every manufacturing company should supply these homes 

 at cost, to be purchased by the employees on a rental system, thus 

 making labor permanent, economical and independent." 



"In some portions of the Union nearly every town had a small 

 woolen factory, where wool could be exchanged for cloth. Silently 

 and unobserved the country mechanic has removed to the town and 

 the town factory has been removed to the city. Towns have grown 

 enormously in wealth and population at the expense of the country, 

 cities have suddenly expanded into kingdoms, and octopus like, have 

 extended their arms around the nation." 



"The small factory has given place to immense establishments, 



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