Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1821-02-26

When conte mplste the progressive tno
slow improvement OF society, L 90 not thihS
| indulge in vain defamation IN imputing
to know ledge this general and national inhu'
snce. There are mol wantIng those, indeed,
who both deny these effects, and ascrlbe TO
il a RICH, opposite influence; and who appear
tor their proof, not to its large operation on
society, but to the example perhaps OF lew
heroes in letters, whose unMOrthlness has
brought discredit On its cause. 1t were
a gre al absurdity 10 measure the genera re-
suits of intellectual improvement. by the
morbid sensibiIity or degradation OF some
few minds on which its treasures have been
lavishly bestowed. II happens. indeed. IN
intellectual as ia pecunisry wealth, that ITS
accumulation is neither fortunate ior the pos
scissor nor useful to others. 1t Is IN literary
as in pecuniary competence, that we are 10
look for the usual and valuable results-for
the order, the decorun, Il the virtue which
ascribe to il. solicit your indulgence
while dwell tor few minutes on this To-
pic. a topic always important in Tepuo-
lie, especially so at period when Know
ledge developes its effects With increasing
force and extent, and aptly connected with
the celebration Of this day-the birth day oil
a worthy of tree country, and the ioun-
Ger of that charity for education, TO when IL
is our pride to contribute. =,
There is no more singular feature IN the
history oil mankind than that they seem, al
all periods, TO have lived only for the PRIDE
Of their rulers. From the Assyrian 10 the
Russian. as if resigned 10 their own weak
ness. they have been found bowling to idols
themselves have raised up; and conslgnins
the force and authority OF the community 10
ambitious genius, nay, even 10 mere 'mosc'
lily. What greater wonder-wh hen we con-
slider the true end Of society--ihan that the
epihet of subject should ever have had a
place in the vocabulary OF nations and that
governments, which, iD that OF philosophers,
are defined to be various modes OF conserV.
ing stale, have, with few exceptions, been
the sport of rulers, and the disgrace and op-
preston OF their citizens! What greater
absurdity than that millions should be sway
ed fo The ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF one man =
and yet by how many OF the rulersoi ma
tons. has any other principle oil empire been
practically recognized!
Ii is true that, on closer consideration OF
this condition of things, we bnd thousand
causes TOR It's existence. Ii is not only that
few individuals IN shy nation have induce
ment, and fewer yet the talent, 10 observe
infinitely the course OF public policy there
have. doubtless. been always numerous Just
thinkers in the most depotic states, whose a
cuteness has perceived, and whose lntegrI'
~ would have resisted-could II have mop
ed for aid and concert-tbe expressions OF
tyranny. The outraged sense and Justice
Of the people. break forth now and then ~
the dreariest despotisms o. the East, as well
as in the limited monarchies OF Europe
But the means of comparing opin'on-some
vehicle by which the public sentiment
might be rapidly propagated--was long
wanting to mankind {; and since discovered
in the Press, has been understood and COM
bat,ed in absolute governments as the most
formidable enemy OF their authority ana
spirit. As il is to the ignorance OF the null
titude that we impute It's long depression,
80 in its instruction, and TIE untettered ex-
preston of its thought on matters which con-
Germ it 80 nearly. We hope orjuster u axims
and habits Of empire
The Roman republic, and a few commu-
mites in Greece, almost alone break the So
litary expanse OF despotism IN the ancient
world. Their narrow confines exposed the
simple interests of the state more closely to
the observation or their members; and the
genius OF the people for letters. rendered
them more enlightened and independent
Judges Of their measures. Hence in these
miniature sta es. contemplate IN extent.
scauty in resources, arose men whom IN
''the tide o. times" We yet delight 10 honor
in whom the examples OF moral subimity
and herois ism are often complete yet nel-
Their virtue nor know ledge shed more than
scanty ray on the body OF the people, and
these heroes OF humanity doubtless derive
some Of their elevation from the general de-
preston of society.
The fallen column, the vacant shrine, the
wilderness city, which move our admiration
aud our regrets over these desolated habI-
taiions of liberty, can therefore, scarcely
suggest to US any apprehension OF similar
fate, because there is no paralleism in our
character and circumstances. The Press,
the general diffusion of thought, the lacill-
ties>of knowledge, which have put litera-
!ure beyond the power OF any future Van
dals, have placed the care of liberty in in
numerab Bile hearts. which will not only guard
her where she is already developed, but e.
rect her, | trust, where she is yet but the
PROSTATE image OF a goddess. When in
most christian communities, behold just
thought either Aow ng largely through free
press, or conveyed by inhnile secret chan
nels 10 Inc people ruin, WHICH was as hiu
treasure to Greek and Roman philosophers,
familiar at the 6resid-s of peasants the
vast body of the learned, who like so ma
ny disciplined forces Of knowledge. are E.
verywbere enlarging the resources and the
strength of her dominion, while political
inquiry and scientific research are every
day 10 be seen more strictly allied u con-
Tess not only regard with tranquility the
frequent Vaccinations of downfall 10 our
fro. In titntions hnf Look for The ~ lie nrn-