Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1820-09-26

ages, United pride with the possession Of
knowledge, and perverted its best objects
20 selfshness. Thus practical mathe-
mates were condemned; and YET they
teach men TO measure the earth and
span the visible Heavens-mark the
boundaries of an estate, a country, or an
empire--measure the paths of the navi-
gator on the trackless deep-contrlbute
20 the perfection of mechanics and ma
Chinery,' thus enriching the cabinet OF
art and science, the treasury and wealth
Of nations. These all 7vere accounted
inferior, mental and degrading pursuits,
from the ancient philosopher to the more
modern effeminate noble. Even Archi-
tnedes, who distinguished himself so
eminently by inventions in practical me-
chanics, left no record of them behind
him. PRIDE, misdirecting the mental
energies Of men--preyented a practical
application, of some of the grandest
discoveries since the dawn of science to
che useful arts. Thus men, society and
nations, during many revolving ages,
were deprived by mere PRIDE OF much
Of their mental power--as bodies, whose
muscular system out of equilibrium, are
bereaved of their natural strength.
Let it no. be imagined, that consider
the American people as destitute of ma
iional character. I see TOO many in
stances Of uniform feeling, to convince
me ofthe contrary, however, l am equal
ly satisfied, that this is an era at which is
TO commence its decided form and per-
fiction. This subject is one so highly
Interesting, as legislative example to
mankind, that any friend to the race of
man will find it impossible to avoid So
licitude, that the foundation already adj
vanced may be SO deeply laid, extended
and cemented, as firmly to support a
structure which may stand for ages,
rHARos, a wonder to an admiring world,
Showing forth light which may be hail
ed as the auspices ofhope to a thousand
nations America acts independent of
precedent, for the zvhoie people are
eovereigns, lawgiyers and legislators for
themselves. When father is possessed
of large estate capable of great i'm
provement, he wishes judiciously, not
only that his son and heir should be we'll
educated, but be made fully acquainted
with the estate he is to inherit, its capa-
cities for improvement, the means of in
creasing the produce and enhancing its
original value. This elucidates the eff
feet which national education ought to
produce on the minds of youth. The
.ehare which every citizen holds in his
country, being only joint part in the
original value and increasing income of
4 national property. Education can never
BE considered as complete, when it is
not universally applied to advance the
interest ofthe country, as well as qualify
the individual for the duties of society
l am not native, yet am no alien to
the best interests of America. No small
addition has been made to my happiness
among you to find that party spirit moves
softly, and men of opposite opinions
mostly deal in mildness and urbanity TO-
ward each other. 1t is with heart felt
pleasure, l have experienced the noble
and generous Candor of the minds of
men, who care not from what quarter, or
from whom good originates, provided
the country they love is exalted and en-
riched by its possession. Such men can
botanic in the garden of the world, and
with scientific skill, select the most fruit
full exotic plants, with a design to render
tlem indigenous blessings to their native
soil. A peculiar advantage to this ma
ton is that equality of vote and interest
which opens the way for virtue and talent
to raise to its right eminence, or find its
proper level. Had this simplicity con-
tinued in ancient Rome, Jugurtha, the
corrupt Numidian prince, would never
have had reason to say, its senate might
be purchased if any man could be found
rich enough to pay the price," 1t is not
an establishment of schools at national
expense which | recommend, but l cali
attention to the imperious necessity there
is to watch, direct and perfect, for pub
lie good, the course of study; and the
principles inculcated on the minds OF
youth. Those essentials which shine in
your constitution, or conduce to future
prosperity, ought to be engraven on the
heart of every child who breathes the
hallowed air of freedom. Thus the
privileges of the fathers, may be trans
mitted, an unblemished inheritance, to
their children. So it was with Rome,
the simple and digniied virtues of .Nu-
ma, alter more than two hundred and fif-