Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1824-04-27

be Obtained Books are much better
preserved in this way than in any other;
and by persons reading the same books,
and then conversing together on the va
rious subjects contained therein, their
minds become improved, and their I'M
derstandings strengthened. II the cit-
zens OF this neighborhood would adj
vance the small sum OF five dollars each,
and a small annual instalment, we could
all be furnished with great variety of
useful aud instructive reading, whereby
we might spend our evenings ith plea
sure, and to our own advantage, in Pc
ruslDg the various transactions that have
occurred upon this extensive globe, and
be able to contrast oar own happy situa-
ton with those Of other nations who are
deprived of the privileges we enjoy.
a public library thus established,
should be furnished with suitable pro-
portion of divinity, history, and useful
and Instructive travels, together With a
good and well written geography, for the
Information OF youth as Ii respects the
situation OF the different states, monar-
chies end republics, their productions
and commerce, and such other informa-
ton as the lnquiring and anxious mind
Of man is seeking after. Also, perhaps
few dollars might be properly applied
to furnish US with useful instruction in
the art Of military tactics, that most use
ful requirement IN republican govern
ment like ours.
Another inducement to encourage us
to this excellent and laudable underlak-
ing, is, that there has been resolution
submitted for the consideration of Con-
gress, to Furnish all Incorporated library
companies with one copy of the laws,
journals and documents of our ma ionai
government. If this should be adopted,
it would be rich and valuable acquisi-
ton to all libraries. A the advantages
arising from an institution Of this kind,
| am unable to delinea,e 10 you, within
the scope of this short and hastily pre-
pared address | therefore leave it to
your own consideration and proccca 10
suggest a few motives for the encourage
ment Of the cultivation Of good morals.
How does it attract the attention OF all
wise and good men, to see settlement
POSSESSED of good morals. What ener-
gelic praise is bestowed on places where
gambling and hOrse-racing is dlsconnte-
nanced, and every other bane OF society
checked III its progress. Ii these evils
are despised and disap, oved Of in any
scttlemenb by the leading characters,
how soon do they become unpopular,
aud are laid aside. Bui if once eneoo-
ragged, how eagerly are they sought az
| ter.
BY keeping these pernicions practices
from our settlement, we at once encou-
rage men of respectability to settle with
US; whereby oar society will increase
with men 0. wisdom and taleuts, and we
and our offspring, will enjoy the bles-
sing.
There is one thing more which can
no. torbear 10 mention, and tina. is the
cline of proiane swearing. This use
less and ongentlernanlyprac,ice increases
last upon person, when once he suffers
himself to begin. How little must a
person think OF the Creator OF ne whole
Universe, to call upon him, on the most
trivial occasions, to sentence himself, or
some other person, to everlasting punish
ment How displeasing must it be to
Almighty God, from whom we derive
our life and every other blessing we en-
ICY, 10 have US, who are the workman
ship oil his hands, thus trile with his
great and glorious name. /, is vice
tina, can be easily remedied; and think
that few serious reflections upon the
greatness, the power and the goodness
bot God, whose name is thus trined with,
will induce every profane swearer, (if
here be any, to abandon this vicious and
and unnecessary practice.
A few remarks upon the election Of
men for our rulers, will close my present
address.
1t has pleased the A'l-wise Disposer
of all events, to cast our lots 10 land OF
liberty, and not where kings and mo-
nsrchs wrest from The hands of the peo-
pie their unalienable rights, and usurp
to themselves the reigns of government,
whereby they !yrannize over their lite
rate subjects with despotism but where
the government is placed in our own
hands; which inestinable privilege we
ought to make use of, for our own good,
and those Of that part of community to
which we are attached. 1t is necessary
that we should have laws and regulations
made for the purpose Of governing our
selves; and this cannot be done in any
better way than by delegation from
every section of the country. Good and