Herbert Spencer on the Same Subject.

Another authority will, I trust, be equally acceptable to my hearers. Herbert Spencer, in the chapter on National Education in "Social Statics," thus writes: "In the same way that our definition of State duty forbids the State to administer religion or charity, so likewise does it forbid the State to administer education. Inasmuch, as the taking away by Government, of more of a man's property than is needful for maintaining his rights, is an infringement, and therefore a reversal of the Government's function toward him, and inasmuch as the taking away of his property to educate his own or other people's children is not needful for the maintaining of his rights, the taking away of his property is wrong." Mr. Spencer then goes on to prove his proposition, and refute objections brought against it by various classes of objectors, thus: "The page 14 reasoning which is held to establish the right to intellectual food, will equally well establish the right to material food; nay, will do more,—will prove that children should be altogether cared for by the Government. For if the benefit, importance, or necessity of education be assigned as a sufficient reason why Government should educate, then may the benefit, importance, or necessity of food, clothing, shelter and warmth be assigned as a sufficient reason why Government should administer them also. So that the alleged right cannot be established without annulling all parental authority whatever." The destruction of parental authority, and the uselessness of mere intellectual education as a preventive of crime, are the chief points he makes against State interference with schools.