Book-bot.com - read famous books online for free

North America — Volume 2 by Anthony Trollope
page 104 of 434 (23%)
Cincinnati--parish schools and private schools--and it is stated to
me that there were in all 32,000 children attending school in the
city throughout the year. The education at the State schools is
very good. Thirty-four teachers are employed, at an average salary
of 92l. each, ranging from 260l. to 60l. per annum. It is in this
matter of education that the cities of the free States of America
have done so much for the civilization and welfare of their
population. This fact cannot be repeated in their praise too often.
Those who have the management of affairs, who are at the top of the
tree, are desirous of giving to all an opportunity of raising
themselves in the scale of human beings. I dislike universal
suffrage; I dislike votes by ballot; I dislike above all things the
tyranny of democracy. But I do like the political feeling--for it
is a political feeling--which induces every educated American to
lend a hand to the education of his fellow-citizens. It shows, if
nothing else does so, a germ of truth in that doctrine of equality.
It is a doctrine to be forgiven when he who preaches it is in truth
striving to raise others to his own level; though utterly
unpardonable when the preacher would pull down others to his level.

Leaving Cincinnati, I again entered a slave State--namely, Kentucky.
When the war broke out, Kentucky took upon itself to say that it
would be neutral, as if neutrality in such a position could by any
means have been possible! Neutrality on the borders of secession,
on the battle-field of the coming contest, was of course impossible.
Tennessee, to the south, had joined the South by a regular secession
ordinance. Ohio, Illinois, and Indiana, to the north, were of
course true to the Union. Under these circumstances it became
necessary that Kentucky should choose her side. With the exception
of the little State of Delaware, in which from her position
DigitalOcean Referral Badge