Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1822-07-13

encouragement 10 I1lm, VINO Is the
author OF every good and perfect gift,
and who, holds III his hands the destinies
OF nations, let me draw your attention,
tor moment, to matters Of a mere local
nature. Cast as our lot is, in one of the
most fertile regions of the western states,
II remains with ourselves to bring its
great agricultural resources into more
complete and direct operation. The
cultivator Of the earth in America, may
with truth be said 10 be the sinew and
bone of the nation. The sole owner of
the soil which be cultivates, the prondest
and wealthies, member of the commune
ty has no greater rights. Elevated by
the just consciousness of his own digni-
ty, lac feels his independence, and admits
OF no superior but the laws. Convinced
that in promoting his own interests,
which are necessarily identified with the
interest OF his country, or that by sup
porting hers he advances both, his love
tor his country and for himself are conn-
terpoised. A, his country's call, when.
ever her rights, her safety, or her honor
may require it, he is ever ready to beat
his pruning hook INTO a spear, and his
plough share TO a sword. Always alive
to the general interest ard prosperity OF
the community, 1t Is not only his duty
but his acknowledged interest, to pro-
mote with oil his zeal, every species oil
internal improvement Let him remem-
Der that il is the indissoluble band of our
union. The aid afforded to internal
commerce, by the adoption of a correct
and efficient system Of internal water
communication, and the beneficial re-
suits 20 individual, as we'll as the collec-
tive interests Of state, are no longer
matters OF doubt. The promotion of this
object, as soon as IL can be attempted,
consistently with the resources OF the
state, ought TO be the first care of its
statesmen. Nor ought the more impor-
tant object Of public education TO be
longer delayed.
Fellow citizens, if the virtuous prin-
cipies of civil liberty, are to be instllIed
into the hearts, and stamped on the minds
of your chiIdren-ii the constitutions and
luris prudence of your common country,
are to be studied, understood, and revered
| by them al mature age--if the attain
ments in arts, science, and literature,
| which enighten and ennobe the mind Of
man are desirabie--ii the cause Of JUS
tice, truth, mercy and the divine revela-
| ton, are to be understood, observed and
adored--if the doctrines of christianity
are to be expounded TO fallen man, and
the Immortality of the soul proclaimed
in the Wilderness of Illinois, then must
the means and powers of instruction, be
impaired with benefcient and liberal
hand. To awaken the intellectual pow
ers of the mind, and to afford means, for
the generous and noble pprpose, of call
ing into action the dormant resources OF
native genius, must be objects worthy
The highest attention Of man.
While our Atlantic brethren, are seiz-
ing every opportunity for improvement
and instruction, and are making rapid
strides in the field of learning, let a
spark from the altar of the temple of
their fame, light on our plains, and kindle
blaze, which like the star in the east,
shall guide US, by its radiant beams, to
light and knowledge.