Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1827-10-10

ted at this University, than the whole county |
of Providence, if we except the town Of Provi-
dence." Now this may and il may not be the
fact, at any rate the gentleman has not adduc-
cd any proof to support it-but If it be a fact,
il by no means proves that We are exceeding
" Ignorant; or that we are insensible to the
Importance of education.
The same thing might be said of Harvard
University, and we doubt if the city of Bos-
ton, and the county of Suffolk, containing at
least one hundred thousand souls, has sent TO
that literary institution, one half Of the stu
dents that have graduated there, or that those
they have sent. bear any proportion to the
number sent from the counties Of Worcester
and Hampshire. And yet the fact does not
prove that the citizens of Boston, and the coun-
ty of Suffolk, are dull, stupid and ignorant.
in pursuing the iaudaJle design, which it
seems has had a woodworking influence on
his creative fancy, the essayist, holds the fol-
lowing language:
"why is this relish for learning, and the
!
from that in another' Arc not we born as
free as Cnsar' Why then so far behind him
in the race of glory? The truth is, that in oul
neighboring States, the first dapn of genius
is attended t.; its putting forth, is watched
with fostering care; its progressive step il
nourished with tenderness, till like the eagle
it wings its own way, and depends upon it'
own strength"
BY the foregoing paragraph, composed o
figures, metaphors and tropes, wo presume
the writer means to have US understand, tina
in Massachusetts, genius is cherished and nur
ed with fostering care whilst, on the con
trary, in Rhodc-Island it is neglected, and suf
fered to die from neglect, and that Massachu
sets, is all that is excellent and virtuous, AM
that Rhodc-Island is directly the reverse. W
oppose the assumption with positive and une
r ouvocal denial; and assert without the fea
OF contradiction, that Rhode-Island, in ever
thing except territory, is quite equal to Mas
sachusetts-that in no part OF the world
genius moro literally encouraged than it
$ here, and that orr citizens are as well educa
S ted and as intelligent, as any other communt
, of people. And further than this, we under
take to say, that there cannct be found spo
r of earth, containing the same number ofsquar
= miles that thisStatc does, that contains NOR
intelligent, or better educated population.
, AS to free schools we most heartily hop
and pray, that the day is not far distant, whc
the bell of the school-housc, will be heard t
chime in every town and village of the State
and five wish TO accomplish project so de
sirablc, let us prevail upon the peoplc-upo
those who possess the controlling power-o on
hardy and industrious yeomanry-to consent t.
tho creation of institutions, which will be 81
=, beneficial in their operations, ,and so honorabl
to the State. In doing this we need none G
, the aid of Massa chuse,ts, or any Of her wr
tcrs, who behold in us every thing that
offensive and depravcd, and live among us
merely TO insult us. And we appeal to our yeo
manry, and harder and more noble-minde,
= race than the Rhodc-Island FARMERS, neve
existed. to say, if they can bc driven to tn,
adoption of popular measures, by ill-timed de-
= clamation, and the application of gross and in
E sulting language.
PRIVATE AFFAIRS. For tho forty-sccon'