The Rhode-Island American, and general advertiser — Providence [R.I.], 1810-10-23 00:00:00, page 1

IU ■■ II *1 I . 1 „ J(I , w vm.ihj, i I'WimEU*" ” .
THE RHODEJSLAND AMERICAN,
AND GENERAL ADVERTISER.
' , 11,, J • ' . ..r-it tn I; 4 4V.4?'.- 311 ''■H/.’U. ■ • " ,: * f ';" jl , l - , ,' . ; • < _.. . . .
We’ve play’d into our Emp’rour’s Karid, at first
and UH, f ween,
run fifty munon dbiwfe, yet fits avarice is
keen ;
1 ftar he's getthtg Cfazy faftt ; Has! vihaf will
_«. yob do t - '
There seems to Be rid pteatfihg him, James
Madison rify Joe. ’
Volume 111. \ • PROVIDENCE; TUESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1810. Numbee 2. “
Out' ban 6 Is nUlXematicij, Jem, it is our
. greatest evil; '
BGt f6r tbit littK sclehce, oh! I could deceive
thfedrivH!
When late I spoke ofcrGwdcd vaults, this
prov’d it wai not so,
And all I said was cart’d a puff, James Madi
sodniyM ' *
To play tb«e double punto) iWy dear, requires
a head profound , tJ
Inwtigatin startles me j J shudder at thh
sound! , . j. ’. .
If certain things should come to light, through
Wilkinson & Co.
No Carter’s mount can hide me then, James
♦ .ulison my Joe !
LfftLE PINDAR.
~~
JAftstf *y Jdft, frtn, vfeeri t
- op tW chair,
thee I ftequetofr’d fey did Bldft dbftk, i mftA-
t'BQSt Tlig CJitrft,
• IbJTEftCEPTEb LETTER
EROsl tAIL TOMMY TO LITTLE jitlifjitT.
tie for thy tf ear i
And think tht god», (Hou didit ptaeft ft dobbfe
portion too,
Of my good spirit in thy bohte, James' Madi
son my Joe.
From rtdteteft&ri Octifcjna, tfofr hi ftteiii
and me,
TMs pledge of Alclent frientffeip feftrt cbfees
So more fa IfeftMtf W fey hftftri, dEA OeM
let thferi go'/
TMyll hdpofee to Ay fcHttiad, Jfrafei Madl
son toy Joft.
The pillars of democracy begin to fall aiyay i
Rut youVc no novice in the art of bolst’ring
fee decay ; . ( ' , t .
Uriasl well their palms, yon little rogue, aS I
haVe ft ad to do;
They follow only for fee Toavetf, James Madi
son my Joe.
fila a- -** $ '4** ♦ * * 8 '• *1 '
7* obey hu mighty orders, I have left no stone
unturn’d I
iMade Leopardi fight—embargoes laid, and
treaties have I spurned j
Fve’ shoot tlie parties by fee ears, but all
What think'st took Callender from gftol—five
4 , Dunn a a word t
Why fear <f those.cdrt'd renegades t *tis so Up
, on my word:
They know your vulnerable parts; they threat
As to your Ereiine'e settlement, that birth so
mi p« m *i ure »
We know full well old England’s climate never
Could endure i ;*.j . .
The feds gave you a dinner then, but little did
they know , „
It was a Hreclincerted James Madison my
Jt>e.
SONKfcT.
O ckti of evening that with whisp’ring breath
Wav’st the wan foliage of yon dusky grove,
Mow do fiy solemn murmurs strongly move
The melancholy soul to thoughts of death I
And, emblem meet of man’s precaHmts doom,
Do ye, fast-falling leaves bestrew the groundl
And aS ye drop In quick succession rohnd,
Pourtmy the gliding passage to the tomb!
But dh the eye and eir of health discern *
In ye, yfe falling leaves and ev’ntng gale,*
The mournful tenour of ad sad > taV,
So tend, yet heart appilNng. lesson le'arn 1
A|i no!—to nby disorder’d mihd alone
¥t wear thio gloomy fchn—jW pfrlf this
deeth-likd moan, .
they’ll draw the bow,
And wound s you 'twixtyour hamete jointe;
James Madison my Joe.
The Yankee Hye, thoie 411 y rogues, look out
for them, tn'y dear ;*
They oft my weaknesf Have expos’d, and yo’ii
. have much to fear;
Take heed well therefore, to your Steps, for
they are watching youj
Or they may catch you nipping yet; Jones
Madison my Joe.
would never do;
1 cduld nBt raisfe a Btitibfi Jaimes Madi-
Stick to the way I taught yob, Jem, don't
leave it, if you. please,
And let y our word be, Eonaparte and freedom
of the teas. »
Don’t you regard his cuffs and kicks, for if he’s
The Lord defend ua from hia wrath, James
Madaaon ray Joe.
joking funo,.
Sbn my Joe.
(Zt goes in d fine old Tune.)
rlox a lowdow FAFan.
Poetrp.
Pttizfe iftsSfcHTAtKHji.
The Committee appointed to adjudge the Go£b Medal, offered by the Cor
poration ef the Federal Jtdelfihi if Brown University, to the writer of such Dis-
Sertafibh, 6n M<* Pubticlc Utility of Education, and the best meant <f extending
iti Rudimenfs to tillfita should be dehmed the beat, among those judged worthy the
sathe, hive reported, that they have ekdnined the merits oF the several Disserta
llhhs prcpbhted, xhd Have adjudged the MEdal io Reuben Judder, Esq. Coun
seYldr at La<, Maine, the Writer of the following Dissertation, which is
now ptiblisited for thtJ pititpioU of a more general diffusion qf the useful informa*
tidri Ft toirtains.
A DISSERTATION
ON tHe {JT SLICK UTiUTV O» pbuGATION, ANO THE BEST BIX ANS 0» EXTEND-
ING ITS HUHTMBNTS TO ALL.
BY A CITIZEN GF THE UNITED sfXTES.
Tflit following little is ttie result of some observation and much re
flation. It has beqn the aiiii of the writer to give aview of the general course of
an idiifcatidn, smtaiile for the people of the Upiteil States, as krespects a series of
discipline from infancy through the various stages of human life. A eommpnica
tlifet to be generally useful should fye generally read, and few are prevailed on
id quit their ordinary enjjilqy of business dr pleasure for the perusal of a large
ydhimfe The writer has endeavoured to reinoye this difficulty, by cpmpressing
Into a smedi cbmpass much matter, which was intended as a kiqd oi .text of cor-
Idct principles', so little in detail, as to leave to the readey the pleasure of com
mentaries and expositions from his own reflection., In this.way, it was believed,
that the untaught legislator,* the day-labouring parent and the itinerant preacher
hour’s reading, without interruption to common pursuits, bp
with some hints, that wouldympress them with th e importance, and di
edt thejn to the means of teaching with the most effect the sound principles of
febwle’dge and virfue r • t
Civil liberty being one of the most precarious, as well as invaluable bto|pings,
that God has bestowed on man, the publick utility of consists princi
pally in the preservation of it. In a genuine renublick the community have a vast
interest at stake, in the moryls and habits of indivifeuals. Virtue, being the prin
ciple, whereof this institution rests, Education, which is the means, whereby the
bbmah understanding is gradually enlightened, and the disposition of the human
heart directed and established, becomes an object of the first magnitude, Early
jrouth, when the mind most resembles a sheet of xyhite paper, is the period the
most favdui*able of all others, to make impressions, that shall be durable and con
formable to purposes of the guardian and legislator. Habit is said to be a second
nature. It Wy be properly caljed the child of accident. Accident in a general
sense maf be defined, every event, that can prpduce any change in the mind; and
this change may be fortuitous dr designed. As the human mind unfolds.itself
from .infancy to maphood, it gradually acquires habits.. As reason succeeds and
accpippanibs the powers of sensation, the man, in miniature begins to look around
him jmd reflect on hip state, hpipg, and the end of his crcElkm.. Lfe JJnds his hap-
liable to Effect or be effected by the happiness of otherfo ,-,*TMp condition
creates in hlrii a sejymj cailed Then it is that he sees the ne
cessity of forhupg prinpiplqs—and to effect this js forced to sacrifice present
and cqmfqrtj io 'ksense of duty. - He i> influenced by a two fold
restraint, his sq'cial affections and the positive; laws of the land, both of which,com
pel him to connect his own good with that of society* ahd to enjoy hi* o l *® rtflht#
uij manner Dial will iqjurc hjs neighbours. .. Vid habits and agreeable pro
pensities inVist gfye place jff pew ones, the establishment of which, as it is a kind
of violence to nature, will require a great stochuf patience and resolution. .Here
ihe aid of Education should be called in to inforep.the sevqrp discipline of self-
S“ imeqt. Chmatej fqpd, apparel, company, example,instruction, mental and
exercises, and divers other accidents, pach hayp their effect in forming the
uid. body of thd rpan. jf he purposes pf Education are. to control these acci
dents and tender them supseyvient topublick good, as well as private happiness.
To republicap iqgtitution Jts li: fgU. effects ,on. society, more than one
half of its power should consist in the private virtues of individuals. Hence the
necessity of highly the moraj sense Wong the youth of our country.
nice sjy>ql4 ; their notions of right ahitWXohg be, that they would re
coil from vicious temptations and propensities as from the.contagion of a mortal
disteipppr., Barents and ipptruqtors should put tho restraint, where Christianity
places it, j>n the vefiy thought, that the bud might blasted before it unfold in.
bldspoin and ripen into actiog. Publick virtue flow* from private morals. • His
tory jmd observation teach qy, that severe laws mps* increase as publick morals
A free government can qo more live among a people, the morals of
whofli are totally depraved, j(hw a boat could survive amidst breakers in a
teippestuohs oceap. j The tygth is, that in the science,of, government, power is a
substitute for publick virtue, as thp want.of pubiick virtue is always succeeded by
power, The habits apd mow B of » nation will, from the ordinary course of hu-
be finally coqtrplled by a government suited to their nature. A re-
government fitted,oply to a nation of strict moralists, it would be a
mere dead lettqr ih, a copupunity of knaves. It derives much of its energy and
power frorh publick opinio#, which makes disobedience to the laws disgraceful.
Andjiubliqk opinion is formed and directed by Education. Despotick sway was
designed for rogues—it is tp independent spirit, that pever sleeps—it is a word
und a blow in the same instant—its decrees and punishments are contemporane
ous-—lf finds itkunrelenting power in the awful, never ceasing fear of its slavish
subjects. Here the voice of education, which extends the blessings of virtue and
knowledge, aft it inclines to destroy arbitrary power, is silenced. The despot
has ridthing mdre to do, than to excite great and universal fear, and this passion
naturally springs up 1 without culttire, amidst a thousand objects of terrour and
instruments of death. Iffmonkrchies, where the rights of the chief magistrate
are defined and hedged in by permanent laws, the principle of honour supplies
the place of fear in despotisms, and of good morals in republiqks. To uphold the
second, passive obedience and hon-rellktance are taught and inforced—the first
is supported, not so much by honest as hbhourable notions, and the third by a gene
ral diffusion of knowledge arid virtue. The publick utility of a system of Educa
tion, therefore! consists in its aptitude of forming youth to the of the gov
ernment under which they live. And that system oT government may be denomi
nated the best for any ebuntry, which produces the greatest qt&iftftv bf publick
individual happiness, qf which that country is capable. But mountains of ico
might ds well be preserved in the latitude of the equator, or orange trees flourish
in the cold regions of Lapland, as a genuine republick in a ebuntry j so void of mo
ral! and religion as to discard in their publick laws the doctrind of the soul's im
mortality. As did the enlightened French nation, during their mock repdblick,
when their National Convention ordered their entrances into their grave-yards to
be inscribed with « death is an eternal sleep." We must think that a govern
ment of a repdbtican form and spirit, when with it the Sentiments, opinions and
usage! of a fia(ion are congenial, presents more evil, and effects mopa good than
any Other civil institution, administered under circumstances the moat favoura-
. And having this ciVil institution established in the land of our nativity,
which seems the child of good fortune, rendered dear to us by a thousand ties, let
us multiply the meansand increase the motives to give strength and durability to
the great pillars that support it, I mean knowledge and vjtyue. i i <•'
When we have bestowed for the preservation of our young republick, all that
is possible for man, wq can very properly proffer to him, wfio surveys with plea
sure mortals struggling in the cause of virtue, the patriot*s prayer, in the lan
guage of old Cato, “ ealo may it live forever.
Old Laccdemon, Athens and Rome, that have filled the annals of history with
their, wohderful achievements, have each taught both the catises and surprising
effects df their Afowearied pains in formingboth the minds and bodies of youth to
the lo*ve and servitb of their country. The founders of those nations placed their
institutions deep in thfe principles of the human mind; and their laws and regula
tionM came in aid of the early cufture of the sentiments, morals, and habits of the
citteerift, which were closely allied to their national religion. In order to preserve
the institutions of a free government, we must love Aiid cherish them. Our best
Feelings and best services should be rpserved.for, our country; and if her securi> *
ty should requirq that we stand forth in |ier cause, fortune, and evwn life', should
be put in jeopardy., Education should be so modeled and directed aa tn instil
this doctrinje universally, from infancy to manhood, *fld from manhood to old agul
It should not merely be taught qs a truth deducfol* from the cold process of
reasoning, it should be, infused into our mental system, and bold forth in a mane
ner to interest our passions; aa an indispensable qualification for a gentleman, a
philosopher and a Christian. It should grow with our growth, and strengthen
with our strength. We should possess it as principle of feeling* a matter of sen
timent, rather than of speculative opinion. This noble spirit can flourish only in
pure, generous, active minds; it will not strike, root in a mind contaminated with
vice or folly. Knowledge aqd reflection will fan this flame .of patriotism, ilt is
like conscious virtue; us self-approving voice jiwaJte man in , his own imagine*
tioq and assimulatea hir fqelings t« the divine principle, that individual good is to
be enjoyed in common, with the whole family of a nation. Let.it be ths care of
parents and instructors to implant this disinterested love of country deep in th*
tender mind, and the great concern of government to nourish and protect it. The
publick taste ? . the objects pf pursuit, ajid usual empfoymsQt of most of ths coa*
spicuous ciuzens in the ancient favoured in a high degrep this seal
for the publick good. . Commerce, manufactures, and even agriculture, by mosi
of them were considered as contemptible objects of pursuit a
The profession of arms—-to defend their country—secure acquired pewaew- '
sions and extend new conquests, was the great object that seised upon and direpk
ed their minds, Soldiers were mads heroes, and hemes were exalted into Gods.
The whple force of the human mind was directed to me pursuit of military glorys
and the love of .coymfry, a simple intelligible idea, was inseparably connected
with it. Their minds bore some resemblance to the savages of modem timeH
their passions being strqug.in proportion to the paucity of objects to excite them.
In ancient republicks, the. love of country was taught as the greatest good; aM
nations but tfiejr own were considered as and natural enemies; end
they claimed the right of subjecting to perpetual slavery all their unfortunate
captives. The doctrines of Christianity have infused into modern
more sublime system of religion and morals. We are now taught to respect And
care for the whole fondly of mankind, although we are permitted to exercise difi>
ferent degrees of benevolence, according as we tpproximate by the ties of blood
or friendship. A nation at war, or a private enemy, is entitled to. jystice only (
a neutral, without alliance by treaty, to the rights of an unoffending stranger;
one ip alliance, ( to the good offices of a friend, and our own country to the affec
tionate attachment of family connexions, u ... .
The means to preserve a free government in the times of old Greece and Roann*
were constant exertfonp to serve their country by sacrificing private interests,
nay, life itself, fo,publick Then what the parent, the priest and the school*
master taught, waq taught also by the man of fashion, the legislator, the magisr 1
tratc and the general, at the head of his army, in example as well as precept Now
the virtuous morals h^hi tB taught and imbibed in early life, after the guardi
anship of youth qeases, is counteracted and effaced by the bad principles and
worsepractice of thq taahiouable, influeptial part pf society, who control the taste
and morals of the age. Tbep frqm the few qbjects, that engross the attention of
youth, little ; p|Mpswqre Acquired, feoqgh much were bestowed a now much are
required, though little are bestowed to effect the same purposes. The extension
of commerce, apd thq increase of civilization, have multiplied a thousand objects
of pursuit- Coipmqrqe, agncplture, manufactures, the general accumulation of
wqaltfo the cpltiytdipn of the arts, and even thq punty of the Christian retiF
giop, which exUDguifh® B Jh* of P!fr»uing an enemy, and teaches to love him
as a friend, haye each had its effects ia dividing the interests, the passions and
pursuits of men. .Amidst yuch an infinite variety and number of motives to dis*
strict tee attention, it is difficult to inQuepce the whole community of youth, and
give tfosir mental bias we and tee same direction, They cannot, aa in the simple
ages ofantiqutty, be diverted topurapq one great general purpose, in the att<on»
mept of which their reason would be hurried by their passions to put their livaS
as well as their fortunes qt hazard. Ry sp much more imperious is the duty 4s
ordinary means are less to implant, cherish and preserve the love of countrjy
in Jhe rising geperatjon.., It has,been among the warmest wishes and most aoa*
stant endeavours of the gre#t and good men, who have here and there by their
superiour wisdom, ilfomiped thq dark ages of antiquity, tp establish a govern
ment thatwqpld secure to all equally the freedum.©/’ thought and the right of act
tion. That all tjjp mefppers of the great fiunily of the natjqn should derive their
superiour qualities fropi,tpe, sovereign hapd of him whose right it is to withhold
or bestpw the bounties qf, nature; to ynahe one lump,to honour and another to
dishonour ; that the wnple community of citizens, under the equal auspices of
government, might wrrtye,fit their destined mapitfty, alike as do the spontaaer
ous plants of the field, nourished by tiye equal rays of the sun and the fructifying
rains of heaven. And to this epd civil institutions have bepn formed, which, for
the want of virtuous ipordls and, good. habits, have generally proved like good
qeed sown among thorns., Thb government of the United .States now remains the
solitary instance pf a repubjjick founded in equal rights. Here the soil was better
prepared for political blessings than in any preceding free government; and this
privilege may in a great measure, be ascribed to the virtuous principles and exr
am pies which our, ‘ ro h l their cpiigranj forefathers. It was theperr
securing governments of the pld wgrfo that drove them to the new, and inspired
them 'with a noble soirif (i of independence on man, while they placed a fifpi relit
ance on the superintending providence of God. The hardships, perils .and civil
oppression, they epdured, ,tormqd ip them dispositions and habits in which the
pure republican virtues took, deep root. They contemned and disclaimed every
species of arbitrary power, up qp ynreasonablvestraint op the freedom of human
action. *fhey the purity and increased the knowledge of the youthful
by parental instruction, gppd schools and pious evangelical teachers; and this
qariy Education was confirmed by good examples at an adult age. For the bleach
ings of civil freedom we are greatly indebted to these venerable pilgrims, and I
blush to own how m uc l\ Q ftheir spirit is fled, and hqw little remains..,. y
Thus Education furmshqs t|ie means, whereby w® form and preserve publiqk
morals; and good publish morals are the means whereby we preserve civil libera
ty. Education, ' t in a general sense, comprehends every effect or change that a
superiour can prodpqe in ap inferiour, over whom he.bas a control. It is a ay».
tern of discipline tq .alter or fix habfrs of mind or body, and vender them subeef
vfont to some depign. It applies equally to . matters of art aa to science ;to the
mecfomick or peasant aS to the scholar or philosopher; to the mechanical opek
rfttiops of the body as to,the invisible exertions of the mind. Its natural effect
on society, when properly directed, is pubordination to conatituted authorities
division of labour resulting from the progress of civilisation m much coo*
tributes tq order and social harmony as to the, perfection of art. By confining the
e.mMpym®^ 4 ” te pne simple.occupation, the ardour and constancy
of pursuit are increased with the dexterity Df. art, from which naturally flow vii>
tqqus industry find frugal hahiu. n ThM* while amusing and employing theoto
selves in thqir own qqnperns, the citiseps bfeve little time and less inclination to
cabal , figainst the r . By the lawf.gf solon, children were not compelled to
maintain those parents in their old age, who had neglected to instruct them ia
some profitable trade or business. Onq great end of educatfop should be to qon
fipc each citizen fopne pursuit,and employment, end create ap emqjfition to excel
in it. The effect of this discipline. would,bc to promote so|>er stability and pref
vent that fickleness and versatility of mind, t/iat by abandoning useful under
takings, when half executed, turns labpur and iudusfry to no prthtable account.. .
Having shown the importance and publick uUIUy of Education as U respects
the support oi a free government and the good, of society, I will pow take a view
of the means that are best adapted to extend the advantages of Education to alj,
There are two ways in which a change may be effected in the taste pndhabib of
thq people; the one by force, and the other bv persuasion. Lycurgus,
Romulus and other illustrious sages of antiquity, had the wisdom to continue
their respective codes of lbws, and the addresp-fo eaupe them to be adopted, that
exalted the nations, which received them, tp 4hb highest pilch of national glory
and prosperity. Here persuasion preceded force. These lawgivers had, by* *
theft* wonderftil talents, though private citizens, justly acquired ap extrtprdipM*Z
ascendency over the minds of their fellow-counfoymen. And having taken large
yievys of human nature and ciVil polity they formed their laws not only to suit