Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1825-10-25
NEWSPAPt r.
"Intelligence is the life Of liberty"

NEWSPAPER.
"Intelligencc is the life Of liberty"
An American, and not take paper!
I should respect him more, and pity
him less, i'll saw him with newspa-
per, although destitute of a coat and
breakfast. What could be more no
BILE spectacle, than a freeman, who
would sooner deprive himself even OF
those articles which we call necessaries,
than to remain ignorant Of the worlds
history in this wonderful age. On the
other hand. what more AFFECT and base
than to throw away on vicious indul-
gencies, an hundred times the price OF
a paper, and for the want OF one, re.
main unqualified for the discharge OF
our publick duties.
The history Of the past ages is USE
less, but the history Of our own times
is indispensable Men who undertake
10 stir without it will grope in thick
darkness; and will be unable to judge
with accuracy Of publick affairs, and
will be responsible to their families,
their country and their God, for their
refusal to acquire knowledge.
The history Of our own times is a
matter fpeculiar concern to us, be-
cause it is the age OF astonishing chang'
es; of changes too tina, affect our dear
est hopes; but the history Of the pres.
ent times concerns US more especially
because these times are our otDn.
| But who is so selfish as to think OF
none but himself? Who will not have
an eye to the intelligence ofthose about
him! Who will not regard the inno-
cence, peace, and elevated state of so
ciety. which comes from disseminating
knowledge; and that cheapest and most
general diffusion of knowledge, the cir
cuIation Of the newspaper? All! do we
reflect sufficiently, how important an
auxiliary ofvirtue it may become! Do
we think how much more efficient it
NAV be than even the pulpit! How
much wider the circulation OF its sem
timents! and transitory as they are,
how much more lasting its impress
sions.
Again we ask, who will not take
little pains, or exert little influence TO
qualify men for the exercise OF their
rights? Who will not in this way do
something to strengthen the barrier
which freedom has thrown up in the
western world against the ravages OF
despotism?
But, above all, who is there that can
bear to send his offspring upon the
world unified to take an active part in
it. and limited in the power Of being
useful to themselves and others? The
Young of either sex, who are ignorant
, of their times, cannot come in compc-
tition with Others Small indeed in
comparison, is their chance for exalted
characters, or success in enterprise.
The bird that can sing and wont sing ought
to be made to sing, says the old proverb, which
is illustrated by the following story
John Abel, famous singer and per-
former on the flute in the 18th centu.
t ~. one day, during his stay al War
saw, was requested by the King Of Po-
land to sing at court. Abel peremp'
I torily refused; and though it was init
mated to him that he would probably
suffer from the royal displeasure, he
still persisted in declining it, and sent
r the King an apology by letter. In an
r swering to this, he received regular
summons to appear at certain hour
!. in the Kings palace. Abel obeyed
j., and though at first courteously enough
/ | received, he was presently forced to
sit down in all arm chair that stood in
i the midst of grand hall. No sooner
y was he seated, than the chair flew ur
:. with him to great height. The King
II with his whole court, now made hi.
O appearance on a gallery opposite te
Abell, and, at the same time, NUM-
g Der Of wild bears, Of which there never
Il was a scarcity in that country, were
h driven into the hall. "The poor yoca
" list. almost dead with fright, was now
" addressed by the King, and was left t
,e choose, either to sing instantly, or t
d be let down and await his fate amonl
i the unceremonious inhabitants Of TIT
nj desert. Which part poor AbelI took
ID il is needless to mention, but the face
r. t;ous narrator Of this well arth"ntica
e. ted anecdo,e, says, Abel could not re
as sist such powerful mode Of persua
~ sion, whether con anore Or moi, he san
- 50 beautifully that the King and bear
re listened ~ silent admifation.-GerSe
r., Wa.srbuck, part i; page w.