Alexandria gazette & advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1822-1824, 1823-02-27

es the tone f the national character.-N
saves free from pollution the moral atmos-
phsre, guard, against RIGHTEOUSNESS ana
! corruption, ard preserves the public coun'
ellis honest, by maintaining the integrity
OF those, who elect the public ministers
When the fountains are poisoned, the
streams are tainted: keep pure The cur
rents of life, and the whole system is
beal,htul and vigorous. j..
The stability and practical character OF
our government do not SO much depend
On The abstract form Of its political organi'
cation, as on the fidelity and intelligence
of those, who regulate the public counsels;
and their character and conduct depend
almost entirely on the will of The people,
TO whom they owe their appointment. 1t
| is, therefore, essential that this will should
be well directed. 1t Is a!l-important, that
il should be under the influence OF cor.
rect Judgment and well regulated feel
ings. Religion and morality are indis-
| pensibIe supports 10 all the dispositions
and habits, which lead to political pros
perity. They are the springs OF popular
governments ;''* and although knowledge
is not virtue, yet 10 enlighten the con-
science is an important means OF lmproV-
ing the heart. :,
Have we, my fellow ciizens, bestowed
| that attention on this subject which our
duty 10 our country and ourselves de-.
MAIDS Have we given our individual
! care and general assistance to promote the
diffusion Of intelligence. and 10 provide
the means Of education tor those, who are
! unable TO provide for themselves do
notask if we have been liberal in Our
charity and zeal, forthe unenlightened OF
other communities and other CHIMES: but
have we provided for our own household
Have We eXeried ourselves TO check The
! immortality at our own doors Ito dspel
the cloud Of ignorance in our own imme-
diate neighborhooi ? Have we follow ed
with the pro,optuess and animation that
we ought The example which Washington
so long ago placed before US NO: there
is not sufficiently deep and practical ill.,
terest in the subject. There is among the
lower classes in this district lamentable
deficiency ct cultivation, which we have
not used adequate efforts to remove. There
, is too much apathy on this matter, which
is of such vital importance. We have not
, the pride which was formerly telt in hav.
ing well-appeinted literary establishments
among US. When asked, whe - is our
public academy. we can only point TO the
| shattered remains OF what was once our
boast. The public patronage is with
drawn from tie institution, in which many
Of US received The rudiments Of our edu-
cation and with which are connected,
! some of cur earliest aud dearest associa-
| tons Common feeling and common era.
,'tude should prompt US 10 uphold and
| promote its interests. But when We re-
member, that the mental and moral culti-
| walton OF orr youth, and their future cha
| racier as members OF society, demand
this at Or hands, we are bound by all The
duties Of parents, and all the obligations
ol citizens 10 exert ourselves for tbe sd
vancemtnt Of this and other institutions
| Tor literary instruction.
And Virginia too, who was once dIstin.
| gusbed among al her sister States tor the
! elegance of her literature and The iUtellI
\ geDce 1t her statesmen. is still obliged TO
send her youth to other countries for the
accomplishment Of their studies. She Is
| no longer pre- eminent in highly cultivated
men: she mas not afforded those facilities
| to education which she has the power 10
| ford. There is an immense literary
| iurd, quite equal to the exjgencies of The
slate it properly managed but hitherto
| AL has been 10 The abstract We have
lad eloquent reports and splendid theo.
| ries. while other States have been reaping
all the benefits of .kiiiul application OF
! their means OF instruction, aod showing
! the practical results ct their general Guilt
! walton Let us remove this cause OF re.
! preach let US no longer he satisfied with
/ specuatious which, however ingenious,
can Eeyer effect our purpose but let
prudent appropriation OF our means dimi-
Dish public crime, and secure the property
and peace OF society. by ins,ll,ug al An
early age heslthul moral principles, and
turning the hull tide OF public feeling and
sentiment against immortality and wee.
BY sdch a course, not only our moral
condition will be Moderated, but a power
iul aid will be obtained IN developing the
| physical resources of our country twill
teach US TO appreciate and improve The
great natural advantages which we pos.
sess. II wiil give comprehensiveness 10
he public policy. 1t will enable the
minds eye to embrace a more extended
horizon, and correct the banet0I system,
which, refusing to pursue liberal and en-.
ighteDed measures, looks only 10 imme.
! date consequences. Ii will induce VS.,
| my fellow citizens, 10 carry into execution
the plan, e internal Improvement, winch
the capaciors mind and the sure judgment
Of Washington suggested and approved;
and which. next 10 the cultivation OF the
intellect, are Of the most essential impor-
lance to these states.
| Nature has done all for US that she conld
do. With every variety ot climate, and
most fertile soil intersec'ed in every
direction by beautiful and deep rivers.
our separation from the rest of the world
the genius of Our institutions, aud The
/ han n;ness of the nennie call unnn Lis 10