“Education is a better safeguard for liberty than a standing army. If we retrench the wages of the schoolmaster, we must raise the wages of the recruiting sergeant,” said Massachusetts Governor Edward Everett (1794-1865) in March 1837. Also cited in March 1837 was the ending of “we must raise those (“the wages”—ed.) of the recruiting sergeant.” Everett’s statement has been frequently cited, often just as “Education is a better safeguard for liberty than a standing army.”
 
   
Wikiquote: Edward Everett
Edward Everett (11 April 1794 – 15 January 1865) as an American politician and orator, who served as a US Congressman, US Senator, Governor of Massachusetts, US Secretary of State, and as President of Harvard University. On 19 November 1863 he was the main speaker at Gettysburg, whose two-hour oration has been eclipsed in history by President Abraham Lincoln’s brief Gettysburg Address. He was the father of congressman William Everett and the great uncle of Edward Everett Hale.
 
Sourced
Education is a better safeguard of liberty than a standing army. If we retrench the wages of the schoolmaster, we must raise those of the recruiting sergeant.
. As quoted in The Common School Journal and Educational Reformer (1852), edited by William B. Fowle, p. 28.
   
14 March 1937, Salem (MA) Gazette, pg. 2, col. 4:
A GOOD IDEA. “Education,” says Edward Everett, “is a better safeguard for liberty, than a standing army. If we retrench the wages of the schoolmaster, we must raise the wages of the recruiting sergeant.”
 
21 March 1837, Centinel of Freedom (Newark, NJ). pg. 3, col. 6:
Education is a better safeguard of liberty than a standing army. If we retrench the wages of the schoolmaster, we must raise those of the recruiting sergeant.—Edward Everett.
 
Chronicling America
13 May 1837, The Columbia Democrat (Bloomsburg, PA), pg. 1, col. 5:
Education is a better safeguard of liberty than a standing army. If we retrench the wages of the schoolmaster, we must raise those of the recruiting sergeant.
[Speech of Edward Everett.
 
Google Books
Ticknor’s Mensuration: or, Square and Triangle
By Almon Ticknor
Pottsville: B. Bannan
1849
COVER PAGE:
Education is a better safeguard of liberty than a standing army. If we retrench the wages of the schoolmaster, we must raise those of the recruiting sergeant.” — HON. EDWARD EVERETT
 
Google Books
Great Quotes for Great Educators
By Todd Whitaker and Dale Lumpa
Larchmont, NY: Eye On Education
2005
Pg. 69:
Education is a better safeguard of liberty than a standing army. —Edward Everett
 
Google Books
Quote This!:
A Collection of Illustrated Quotes for Educators
By Diane Hodges
Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press
2008
Pg. 16:
Education is a better safeguard of liberty than a standing army.
Edward Everett
 
Google Books
A Tribute to Teachers:
Wit and Wisdom, Information and Inspiration About Those Who Change Our Lives
By Richard Lederer
Chicago, IL: Marion Street Press, LLC
2011
Pg. ?:
Education is a better safeguard of liberty than a standing army. –EDWARD EVERETT