Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1807-06-03
FOR THE ARGUS.
TO THE YOUTH OF VIRGINIA.

the state of Virginia, were that emulation
directed as it might be. Genius has not
appeared in any other state OF the union
with so much advantage, nor has the union
at large produced such numbers of men of
talent. My purpose is not To enquire into
the causes OF this distinctive character of
Virginia, but to notice with a fond regret,
that where SO much capacity for greatness
has been displayed, that the youth of Nr-
GINA, should he content with the mere dis
PLY, without exercising their faculties and
powers in producing more effective advan-
tages TO the commonwealth, and reaping
for themselves a more ample harvest OF
honor and fame.
Among YOU { is a most gratifying object
of contemplation to perceive a spirit OF Ii
tcrary and scientific emulation, conducted
without envy and withou, petulance. 1t is
4 striking trait in the Nirginian character,
that instead of being jealous of those who
occasionally scar above the heads of their
associates in any of the regions of inteliec-
tual research, the Virginia youth appropri-
ates to himself a share of the honor which
his state derives from the talents Of his
associates; that genius is considered as a
common stock, which benefits all, honors
the possessor, and diminishes nothing of
the qualification or the pride of him who's
surpassed. a more feiicitous disposition,
circumstances more propitious to public
prosperity, perhaps never existed III any
society.
1t was said in reproach of the people of
a province of Italy, that they had the fl
nest marble, hut built no palaces. in the
literal sense this was No reproaCh. But it
nigh, be better said, that to possess the
means of happiness and prosperity and not
To q
of double rcproach.
] was led to this course of reflection by
two objects which fell under my observati-
on within few weeks on visit 10 the Ca
pItal of the state. The badness of your
public roads, and the admirable institution
of your arsenal You NAV be at first sur
priscd To find the youth of Virginia address
sed on wotopics So dissimilar IL themselves
s upon whcsYC may appe rto have s. liz
tie influence or concern. Their relation is
not, however, so remote as you may a first
sight suppose In 4 state 81 perfectly free as
I'll s the 3,u crstatcs aithe un on are, wher-
There prevails Il iaudable emulation among
the youth Of the community the influence
Of genius over the society which it adorns
must be much greater than ineXperjence
may at first suspect or credit. The emo
! bling passion which suiCits fame by the
study and practice of eioJuence, has eri-
neutiv prevailed and with success in Viz
ginia. This passion had an early impulse
and has continued 70 improve and to in
crease with time "ut although eloquence
! has been cultivated with unrivalled sue
cess, let me ask if it should stop at the
accomplishment o. the art, thout carry
| ing its power home to the true end OF all
! arts, the public utility. | am not content
that the vouth of Virginia should be mere
| orators, though they bear the pre-eminence
there wish to see genius aid eloquence
applied tn the practical good of society.
! Tie character of = community is often to
! be discovered in small things Every young
I Nirguianis soiicitous tobe 4 chess PLAYER,
and TO excel in it. This is not gambling
p ssion. but flows from q more ennob!ing
source, in II is to be seen love of that cha
racteristic sagacitv, that acuteness, that
mental power, which are generally pr SD
med TO Je necessary To a due knowledge of
chess. There are ideas OF dignity and &C.
lchr.ty connected with chess, which attracts
the Nirgini4n mind, and points out its dc
SITES and It's aspiring temper even in this
try amc.
! advcr TO this merely to shew, that the
youth of Virginia want only an object wor-
, ny OF their spirit, to induce them to en-
ter on the theatre Of generous emulation,
III order to realizcit.
The improvement Of your state is then
| part cularly worthy of your attention. You
are allowed to understand abstract poll
tics better han the youth Of any other
! state or Coun ~. WHY do not Statistics
en;er into TIE circle Of yeur investigations
and studies? lladeon'S map should be un-
derstood by every one ofyou; and the po-
pulaion, soil, productions, with the
progressive improvement Of each should
be as wei known TO you as the histories or
the politics o! foreign statesmen now are
You would very soon perceive that Virgil
MIA tho blessed with numbers men of ge-
MUS, has not profitted practically of her
superiority. What does it avail the miser
that he boards in his chests immense trea-
sures? Virginia posse. scs genius, but the
world is smut out from them in a great
measure by the difficulty and danger of aD-
preach. Il journey To the capital of Vir-
gina from one OF the middle states is much
more dangerous and perilous than 70 aee
To China. But Il will be said how can the
youth of Virginia render this evil less
how can they effect the more easy ac-
cess between the neighborng states and
their own!
The answer TO this is. make the real
prosperity as much tie object of your stu
dy as Your p5stimes the press is open an
free; reflect that the genius YOU possess is
concealed by the very difficulty of APP
prolcb, and that your bad and dangerous
roads rp prpo. ,.r Cl,stturtfons in tt.. ,,a,.