Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1807-03-27

them.
In making political instruction part of
elementary education, the most scruprlous
caution should be observed, to avoid i'm
pressing on the youthful mind. any opinions,
IN the leassdegree, connected with cnntro,
verted points of doctrine for such an error
would be productive of evils which would
more than counterbalance any benefits
which tuition could confer. 1t tbs better that
the mind should be altogether neglected
and suffered 20 expand in all the wild lux
uriance OF nature, uncultivated nature, than
that it should grow to maturity, trimmed
! and fashioned to one dull, uniform rule of
| opinion. 1t should be the object of an in
, structor to qualify his pupils to form iudg-
ments for themselves, to impart habits of
Tree x active thought; but not to take adj
vantage OF the imbeciiity of infancy. to i'm
press his favorite dogmas on the ductile
minds or youth, and exclude all access to
Tree, future investigation. Il is well Known
Characteristic Of the human mind, that the
absurd opinions adopted in infancy, will
continue to retain their influence during
manhood, and frequently resist a., : evidence
| OF the Clearest demonstration. FCY tpese
reasons, elementary, political instruction
should be confined to the clearest ard most
| UNDERSTANDABLE, general principles. The
SS'''iN'Ni'h' VI illt OiuUNlN SHOULD DE I'M
pressed OH the mep,o,y, as matters of fact,
not as objects of reverence The different
forms Of government should be accurately
DENIED and eXplaineti; but it should not be
made point of faith to prefer enc to ano-
Their.
There is no branch Of political science
which It is more essential to form part of
| carly instruction. than political econasnv, or
| mat which relates 10 the collection, manage
Inent and disbursement of the public reve-
nue.. 1t is ofprimary Importance that the
knowledge OF finance, should not be enve-
iHped in the mystery in Which the igno-
rance and Inattenton, cfmankind have per-
mltted II 20 remain. Tt is the command of
the PUBLIC purse which At once affords the
strongest inciterents TO the spirit of Gomi-
natlon, and furnishes it with the most ope-
ratlve engine for eifecting It's designs. BE-
sides he great malversation and evils which
result from the abuse OF the right Of taxa
ton, and the subsequent misapplication os
national revcnue, the prosperity Of mankind
| mas sustained much mater nj injury from
| tne app ;Cat'0n or erroneous PRINCIPLES, in
! the more rhrnlc dctei OF fiscal regulation.
and an i':0.iaio Itction OF the subjects
! ct taxation. Thee IS no department of
public administration in which the yccple
are so nDen r. impostu9c ard Gcccpt.on, or
TO be niSled ~ sophistry and defamation,
as N me man. cement &C their treasury
lw;thstaEd'ng the general ignorance and
! neglect which prevails, in relation 10 poll
uca. g oEom, there exist many cogent rca-
Sons sXciusir : o. its Intrinsic import nee, to
recommend t to the study and attention of
mankind, as wo'l as to render it peculiarly
proper as elementary branch of juvenile
| educato on
| n striE lg Characteristic in the science OF
p"ohc economy, Nc one which distinguish
es It rom The cther departments of pu,iti-
c2l 6no" dye. IS its susceptibility of de-
J onsirauo2, "a consequence of its intimate
com cctio" With arithmetical REASONING
I i he science Of numbers and other parts of
| mathematics, whenever thcv can be intro
duced INTO a train OF reasoning, contribute
more than anY others 10 the formation of
certain and satisfactory conclusions. 1t is
also 20 be observed, that the acquisition of
the knowledge OF foHHcoi economy, will be
| iacilltated, and the principles Of it be rem
oered more impressive, in consequence of
the strong analogy which it bears 10 hrfpate
! econonY his analogy will contribute to
! Tie mutual Improvement and perfection of
I political and dome site wisdom, by render
J ing tie former more easy and familiar, the
l9tter more 81 cntihc and lnethodical
! History is sp~ cies Of study, in some mea-
sure connected gi.h politics. B deserves to
ne consIderc-, liz an enumeration Of the SUBJ
iects OF juvenile irstrcc,ion. An extensive
KNOWLEDGE e h.s,ory,is of doubtful and at
le1st, Of subordinate Importance 4 know
ieC &C ~ past trnreac IONS, can have no o.
thel iniiuerIc on conduct and happiness
oi the pres ~ nd future generations, en-
ceptf aiu shinE exaTuies and illustrations
o. and political truths. in propor-
I 70" as these truths arc reduced 10 scienti
iic principles md lcduced from the ,rva-
/ laD'e consti u,ion Of human nature, in the
same degree viii t become less necessary
- recur to antiquity, for preccdents; or
Pade through long and tedious dctail Of
acts, III ordor to .rrivc at 20 nc which
ray be obtained ny Il shortel process: and
wa obtain frmer credeuce in the mind,
than when resting on the evidence of an ob.
scu'e and doubtful analogy 1t must, how
ever, be admitted, that history, to certain
extent, is essential, in order to qualify per-
sons to comprehend many political discus
SONS OF the present day more especially.
,since cur eT's'ng constitutions are so inter-
woven witt the institutions of other conn
tries, and have so Immediately emanated
from their revolu'io~s and sransactions.
The bistoryof .Ae GreCiaH and Roman re.
pubtics, have tendency 70 impress the
youthful mind with sentiments, which il is
not, perhaps, in the power # any otherspe-
cies OF literature, equally to inspire. Tn.
Cf I,y 4