Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1825-02-24

BLENDED WIFI Ine 2uOTduoh ~ HACS. Dul Wa
works with the worst ofpassions. 1t crushes
every noble rising of the soul-every swell o.
heroism and sentiment of honor. 1t draws the
mind of man from contemplating the heavens
and sojourning with the stars, and chains 1t TO
the inert earth. 1t degrades civilized man IN
to dust and ashes, and shames him before the
noble savage ofthe woods. Let us cling then
to popular learning as the only shield against
this deadly enemy, and form rank in society
superior to its dominion.
That doctrine of descents, which resembles
us to the ancient republics, will thus lose its
objections. The vicissitudes of society-the
decline of ancient and illustrious families,
which it causes, will be mournful in themselve'
The once venerable pride of ancesuy-the
trophies of family rank-those lineal assocla-
tons, so elevating to the character, must soon
be no more with us. But society will be In
IDENTIFIED by the uniform ability to continue
its improvement; while the continuous rotation
will tend to amalgamate it-while the circu-
lation of property itself will become fund OF
popular learning.
Monarchical governments, It's said, are most
propitious to genius: may be not to popular IL
terature. Those governments which are i'm
posed upon the blindness of the people, and
continued against their will, must make it
their policy to restrain the expansion of their
minds. Barbarity and ignorance are the fit
elements ofpolitical as well as religious des-
potism. The ancient bigots Of the church
were not more jealous Unpopular learning than
the present potentate of Austria. But it is
the genius of our government to invite and aid
its progress. We have no aristocratical dis
tinctions to divide the mass of society, and
take the. lead of the inferior. Birth will not
anticipate the reward of labor, and leave to
cold neglect those talents which have been
matured by the midnight lamp for the service
ofmankind. There are no splendid patrons,
to monopolize genius and allure it from its
own circle. Here it is not to dwell in prince
ly bowers and halls, but it will roam through
every scene of the country, and impart the
softer charities of life. 1t is to construct that
national literature, which will pervade from
the Atlantic to the Pacific, and thus inter-
weave societies which are locally remote. 1t
is to blend itself with the landscape of the
country, and locating our affections and tastes,
render the sentiments of the heart subservient
to the principles of patriotism.
Still literature is said to attain more elegance
under the patronage of the great. But re-
member, gentlemen, there is degree Of re-
fnement, at which literature as well as the
arts become injurious. 1t has been finely re-
marked, that those pursuits lessen our attach
ment to life. 1t is certain they produce an
effeminacy of morals, languishment OF spi-
nit, which as it parts with all nobler ambition,
disquali6es us for higher duties. Instead of
seducing the softer passions, Americans will
have better object. They may spread far
Their the light of philosophy; they may intro
duce more beautiful systems of morality; they
are to render society enlightened, without a.
batting its energies. 1t is not by throwing
false light over life, by giving a fictitious
charm to sensual enjoyments, they are to Gre
ate feverish fondness for the world, but
real indifference to life itself, and distaste for
its nobler objects. Motley are to strength
en- our attachment to life, by setting forth its
most elevated purposes and glorious ends, and
filling us with the proudest motives Of action,
devote us to our country and our God.
Again, we are told that confederated gov
ernments are unfriendly to all civil improve
ments. Society is dispersed over a vast sur
face, instead of being concentrated in one
particular capital, the emporium oftaste and
genius. This observation was deduced from
comparing the diversified aspect of Germany
with Partisan elegance. 1t is notorious, that
Germany, probably from being involved in
continual civil wars and the instability of her
government, was more backward in improve
ment, and not until the middle of the last cen.
fury began to display her wonderful genius.
1t is shortly afterwards we behold Weimar,
town beautiful as Athens, almost rival that IA
nous name in literary splendor Twas there
an enlightened prince, smitten with the love
of the muses., assembled around him all the
flower of Germany. And we recollect in
the names of Herder and Scheller, Of Goethe
and of Wieland, those whose footsteps would
have graced the banks of the nysus or the
groves of the Academy. But if this circum.
stance retards improvement, it will likewise
render it more general. Instead Of improve
ment accumulating at the capital and elevat-
ing its society above the people, it will per-
wade the whole surface of the country with
uniform diffusion.
Instead of the people taking their love and
temper from the capital, they will make their
impression upon it. And if the dispersion Of