Some Considerations on the Common School of Horace Mann

According to Cubberley, common school means tax-supported, publicly controlled and directed, and non-sectarian common school. It is established upon the conception that education should be universal, non-sectarian, and free. Horace Mann proves the absolute right to an education of every human being on the principle of natural law. This principle founds the right of every child to such an education as will enable him to perform all domestic, social, civil, and moral duties. But, the rich man declares that the exaction of a contribution from him to educate the children of his neighbor is an invasion of his rights of property. Therefore, Mann advocates the expediency of free school on grounds of political economy, which demonst rates that educated labor is far more productive and profitable, than ignorant labor. Education has the highest economical value which creates new wealth. In this respect, the rich man finds out in the popular education of the whole people the profitable investment, and becomes tax-payer for common school. Moreover, establishment of a republican government, withot well-appointed and efficient means for the universal education of the people, is the most rash and fool-hardy experiment ever tried by man. Then, common school must be the only basis of republican institutions. I conclude that national system of education is the historical product which is organized by government for its own sake in modern industrial societies. Notwithstanding, people seek to realize the right to an education, and to emancipate themselves in the progressive movement of popular education