Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1807-03-17
OK NATIONAL EDUCATION.
.NUArBER J.
.NUABRR J.
THE IMPORTANCE OF EDUCATION AS
CONNECTED WITH POLITICAL
LIBERTY.

CONNECTED WITH POLITICAL
LIBERTY.
THE benefits resulting from an improve
mcnt and cultivati n of the intellectual ia
cultics, are capable of presenting motives
for their attainment, either of n selfish or
social nature in proportion as intellectual
excellence is estimated nv its tendency to
promote individual or general happiness
Great mental endowments and information
of a certain kind, enable the posSessor to
perform with advantage to himself and his
immediate connections, the private trans
actions OF life, and to acquire opulence and
distinction in society. There arc few minds
so insensible to the impulses Of ambition or
self interest, as not 10 be fe lingly impress
sed with the benefits Of instruction, when
viewed in this aspect. But ;he mind which
has been accustomed to consider Instruction
only as means lf-aggrandi2ement. will
feel no motivcs To seek the diffusion of it,
to promote such system of general cdu-
cation, as will enlighten the whole commu-
nifty, remove the sources Of a degrading in
equality, and will enable the people to per-
form the functions Of political sovereignty
rs well rs the drudgeries of private life.
In fact, rs an instrument for acquiring per-
sonal distinction, knowledge is most eiTec-
tull in proportion rs it is confined to a few.
and the many excluded from the means of
attaining it; it may become, like some me-
chaniC trades, q matter of mystery and mo-
nopoly, into the secrets Of which, the vulgar
must never penetrate. A love of fame,
power and distinction is Il motive which
frequently impels to the performance of
great and useful actions it is therefore
laudabe, but is not to be ranked among
the more exalted social virtues which lead
us TO seek the general welfare. tits foreign
to my present purpose to treat of the ad-
vantages of education to the individual on
whom it has been bestowed, or Of the dis
advantages resulting fro.n the neglect OF it..
The diurnal experience Of mankind ope-
rates as constant monitor to render know
ledge, in this respect, an object of pursuit,
and ignorance, Of depreciation. ! shall
therefore proceed ta consider education as
an Instrument for the promotion of social
happiness, and as essential to the pcrma-
hence ofrepublican or popular government.
If we attend either to the uniform expe-
rience Of history or to the essential princi-
plies ofhuman nature, we sh II be convinced,
that the posse sion of power must always
be commensurate in its duration with the
ability 10 exercise it with judgment, utility
and effect. Plac'n~0ut Of view the irresisti-
bic event Of foreign conquest, republican
government (Which is only the possession
Of sovereign power by the people, will con-
tinue so lorg rs that people retain sufficient
energy, virtue and intelligence no longer
can it or ought it 90 continue. The pro-
gress from incapacitv TO govern, 10 the a.
busc and thence to the loss Of power and
the extinction Of liberty, depends on causes
which in similar situations will evolve them
selves in every society and under every form
( Of government they derive their force
: from the laws of human nature, and cannot
bc confronted by human institutions The
power IF directing and confronting the nc
tinns of others and rendering them subser-
Went 20 our will, constitutes the most fa-
vorite object of human pursuit; Of this
truth private life presents uN with a familiar
evidence, m the aviditv displayed i'm the
pursuit Of property, and public life, in the
struggle for Office. Hence political pow
e., whether possessed bv a monarch or a
nation becomes an object ef strong and ar
dent desire to the artrul and ambitious, who
are ready toavail themselves Of every re-
[ Taxation of energy, every act Of imbecility
or indscretion, 90 excite conspiracy, rebel
, lion, or general anarchy. ~ the *sove-
THE rcadcr 7piH obse,De fbaf / ~ me
/ term 8o1'crcieu 10 deH,fc hc horsou or her.
/ sons 7piH 7Uh1m me sov~yci~HtU rca'dea.
7gtefher moacrch, an oHgarchy, o. the