Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1821-11-20

HhlTbCb VI tdA$llSI. EfoiA tiics utSt tfi-
formation I have been able 10 obtain,
twelve salt springs may be selected, the
quality and abundance OF whose water
vii. under ladiciuus management, be ad-
equate 10 the supply Of hali the CONT
nent with ihatiaaispensihle article. no
time should be lost in making the selec-
ton and putting the springs in state Of
production. for we cannot be uhmintlful
that every bnshel OF salt crystalized with
in our limits, is a saving about one dol
lar 10 the state.
Experiment has proven Our soil and
climate we'll adapted to the culture Of
Tobacco; an article to the cultivation of
which we have peculiar inducements.
For several months in the year, the Ohio
river and its tributary streams, are diff
cult of navigation; hence we shall be
able 10 anticipate the Ohio country in the
market of New Orleans, where Tobacco
always bears a price sufficient to indem-
nify, it not oenrich, the planter. Here
toiore we have been compelled to pay
the Orleans merchants for our groceries,
and other heavy articles of Foreign pro-
auctions in money and thus our circu-
lating specie has been brought 10 the
lowest ebb. We cannot hope for IA
yorable change in this respect, until we
raise something from our labor 10 barter
for these necessary commodities think
the culture of Tobacco the most direct
and attainabIc means. For the encour-
agement OF the growth OF thai salusble-
plant, | recommen the erection oil pub
lie ware houses, and the establishment OF
inspectors of Tobacco at COM eDient
places in various parts Of the state.
The Militia has been organized. and
all necessary officers commissioned, cx
cept Major Generals, whose elections
have failed for want ofthe assemblage OF
two thirds OF the General aud Field oft
GERS of the respective divisions, according
to the provisions of the act on that sub
lect. Further legislation will be neces-
saryte complete. the election Of those Of
ticers. The spirit manifested by the
Militia in organizing and uniiorming M
dependent companies, and in studying
the duties Of military serviee, is highly
coramendab,e; but that spirit and all The
well-dircctel etIarts OF the General AS
sembly arc countcrhalanced by great
deficiency Of arms in every quarter OF the
state. The great extent OF our frontier,
and the nature of the hostility to which,
We are exposed. Will probably induce the,
Federal Government TO distribute 10 our,
Militia larger supply Of arns than.
would be necessary tor those states
whose locality excmp,s ,hom from all
danger Of hostile incursion. ! recon-
mend that proper measures be taken Tor
obtaining the requisite supply.
AS knowledge IS at once the cause and,
preserva;ive Of civil liberty, il behoves
every representative OF free people, 10
apply his anxious and unrenanng atten-
ton to the means OF education. Lei 1t
not be imagined that these are matters OF
subordinate character, to be postponed
to consideration of local and trans,lory
interests-I They form the frs, great dut
ty Of the legislator. When The light OF
science shaIibe as widely dltrused as the
civil blessings We enjoy, then, and not
till then, can the people Justly apprec'-
ate the excellence Ut our Institutions and
cordially unite their efforts TO render,
them perpetual. rhe state is munid.
cient!y endowed with lands for the SUPP
po,t of schools and seininaries of learn
ing little, however, has yet been done to-
render ,ile,vusef,ll to the public. 1t is
not enough that an act has been passed
TO project tie schoo, lands from encroach-
men, and depreciation. They ought
to; be applied as early as possible to the
great objection which obey are designed.
The infancy Of, the government, when
first principles are fresh in the minds OF
men, is time peculiarly proper 10 liz
ciilcate the principles Of morality, reli-
gion and virtue, by the establishment Of
learned institution, which being associa-
ted in the public mind with the govern
ment itself, acquire permancnce and
sanctity which will in some degree shield
them from the dangers Of careless in
novation. Where the population is mo-
derately dense, the sixteenth section Of
each township will be sufficient to sup
port common school for the rudinlcnts
of education. And the township grant
cd to the state for the support Of a semi,
nary Of learning, if advan,ageously desig-
mated, it is hoped will be sufficient to
perfect its object, The establishment Of
such an institution is greatly to be desir-
ed, and ought 10 be accelerated by alt
possible means for tae responsibility and
moral energy Of the community would
be much enhanced if the rising genera
lion could receive liberal educations at