Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1829-07-13
COMMUNICATIONS the p.rg,aiaa.
EXTRACT FROM MIR. CLARk's GRAFTON

Delivered al the dedication of The Patrick Hen.
~ Academy
hasten, third, TO consider education as II
regards civil government, And IN this view.
am 10 consider It's influence on the peculiar
government established IN this favored sec,ion
Of the world Tor were l loyal subject
OF European monarcbs, | should deprecate the
light of knowledge MS sore and inislrrablc ..
vii but while IL Is their bane aud their per-
dition, il Is our antidoie and our salvation.
Add feel more anxious 10 inculcate this doc.
trine. since now is about TO be commenced the
most important experiment that ever was tried
10 human ahairs-Nhether mankind are com.
peten' 10 seligovernment. | have said tina,
the operation Is now about 10 be commenced
and so indeed 1t is although the government
under which we live has been in free aud vigor.
Gus operation Tor hall a century yet il was es.
iablished and administered b, men so pre- emi.
nenty endowed with talent and integrity that
u could not fail be propItIsus and safe. But
ITS administration has frlen into other hands
and other characters aud whether the problem
be true or false, remains yet 10 he proved. That
! II contains no inherent aud mmutable princi.
pies which would of necessity bring ns either
TO the one OF the other conclusion, Is undonbt.
eddy true. The result of the process thea de.
| ponds entirely upon circumstances within our
control. Liberty has had her abode in Flu
rope in ages that are past; but IL has been but
temporary. She may be considered even
to have been bird of passage /; and here. in
( all probability, she has taken her last stand
and should she be compelled to spread her
wings and leave our sky, she must be like the
wandering dove from the ark, not able 20 find
place for the sole oil her foot. There are
no more new worlds 10 which the prosecuted
/ M al mn naa IN inc I'M. an.
Joy the governments congenisl 10 their temper.
And even II there were, what hope could be ra-
! tionay entertained OF the success of free
| government, when that which had started IN
der auspices the most fayorable had clio ,ed its
career in tumults aud factions. Whenever,
then. the clouds of despoIism shall overcast
our political norison, farewell TO the last
| CLEAN Of hope that shall ever shine on a
benighted world. But we hope better things,
though we thus speak II is n maxim in
a government like ours, thar the people
cannot hut do tight. Considered in the alb
stract il is true. But as il regards its practical
operations, it ought to be qualified. lf the
people know what isrght, they will unques
tionably pursue it. The maxim then means
no more than that the people will not designed.
" injure themselves. But through ignorance
they may not pursue their true policy and in
teresis. In n representative government, The
representative must obey the will of his cons il
uenis But il they be unqualified TO instruct
Alright, he may be the very instrument Of i'm
posing upon their neck a gal ing yoke, and al
intolerable bondage. Ignorance has always
been passive instrument in the hands of de
signing demagogues. ny which they have ac
compiished their unhallowed purposes, and the
hobby horses upon which they have rode Il
empire. Look at all the republics that evei
existed. and you will find that when their sun
Of science had SET, their liberties were gone
With Cicero expired the freedom Of Rome. Tn,
liberty md the philosophy of Greece founc
one common sepulchre. And how can We ex
pect 10 avoid heir fate unless we shun the
quiclSsands and the breakers tina, proved thei
fatality Z How can we expect that our gov
eminent will no, follow to the grave oil anarchy
the republics Of other days.ii we follow in thei
train Whether we be destined then TO run
long and glorious career is predicated on Thu
one fact, whether the people be sufficient,
enlightened to give proper direction to th'
sovereign power inherent in them. Monarchi
cal governments may be preserved by physl
cal force-by standing armies. Bat moral
strength must constitute The buwnrk Of our Ii
berry without il, she must fall OF herself
with it, she NAV sci at defiance the comblna
ton Of the world. Moral slreagih is constitu
ted alone OF virtue and knowledge -whereyei
they exist, there the spirit of enterprise and
improvement will be found advancing. Shout
our country continue 20 progress for the mex
half century as she has done for The last, IL
know edge in resources and in improvement
hose who live 10 see the acc ompliShment OF tina
period will behold great aud powerful nation
unparalleled in the history OF time prout
and envinus spectacle for an admlrng worls
to gaze al, beamng a resi>,less REPUTATION OF
the weak and puere doctrines. the false and
abominabe principles Of those born 10 the in
heritance of power, establishing the glorou
but long undemonstrated aud doubtful irutl
that man is not so vile and degraded wretci
that he must be born TO an inheritance OF eter
nal slavery.
, II then such be the practical results OF educa
} ton, how important that II should be dissemi
mated wide as is the pale Of our country-tha
il should not only be the companion OF tht
bar. the hall of legislation, and the council
chambers hut the inmate OF the counting
house-the mandatory and the cabin. In
view OF these important considerations, then,
would urge upon you, young gentlemen, 'he
objects ofmy more immediate regard, 10 pre-
pare by a wise and steady application OF inc
means within your control, TO exe,t VIDE "ha
wholesome influence, not only by private muni
fcence and personal exeriion; but as Tar as
YOU NAV be able by jndcious and discretona
nv lie sislation TO carry light aud knowledge 10
the doors Of the poor and humble SO VIII you
entail on generations TO come legacy iicne'
than gold " for which you shall be cheered by
the public gratitude, and titled by the blessing
Of your country