Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-02-10
0Ss
CoMMUNICATED.

COMMUNICATED.
The reflection that. in this Republican coun-
try. the pomp of wealth ard the pride OF ances-
try are - light as air." when compared with the
nrowess of genius, and the force of education,-
Should simulate every one in their efforts to at
tain the latter. The consciousness that the des-
tin;es of the nation are not in the hands OF those
unon whom Fortune has been lavish in her gifts.
or whose noble iineages have furnished matter for
heraldry. but are placed in the bosom OF the Peo-
ME. at whose ,ciU they are moved-by whose SEN
t;ment they are con IL" Ell ,-should make 1t i'm
neratiye that that sentiment should be modelled
nv education-that will moderated by refinement
The facts. that when learning and letters were
mononolized by ambitious and grasping church
men. and all avenues to them closed against the
duped and the oppressed iaymen, that then bi
gotrv and superstition, with all their hIdeous
train. staked abroad upon the earth, and were
only laid by the dawnings Of light which began
70 break in about the 18th century; that the iron
chains of tyranny, which had been fast fettered
nnon as. did not cease to bind until they were
broken asunder BY the melting influence of that
Knowledge which gave US a consciousness OF our
,;obts. and ouickened the sense OF our wrongs;
and that liberty and happiness are seated in that
car which, rolling through the night OF ignorance,
ushers in the morning of information, should
induce every one who values his own interest.
the interest Of his country, to secure for himself
a degree Of knowledge, greater than that which
he may happen to possess 1t Is Illuminating
circumstance, that many OF those who have been
Justly STYLED the "bone and sinew OF the nation,
Whose physical strength in times of war, and
whose stern patriotism and inflexible integrity in
times of peace, are the pride, protection, and the
pillar Of the country.-are IN a state OF compare
tive ignorance; that they should not be enabled
to argue for themselves the great questions which
aoitate the Union, and sit in judgment upon
their merits-How important it is that every man
who exercises the elective franchise. should be
able TO scan the legislative course of his repre-
sentative, and judge how far tbs consistent with
his welfare, the welfare of the People; that he
sbould he able to strip from around the conduct
of those who hold the reins OF power, the fanci-
f,I falsities with which it may be decked. and
view IL IN its true colors; that he should be able to
1;st;nuuish between reason and rhetoric, between
fancy and fact. | perhaps might not be hazard
inr TOO much, TO advance the assertion. that one
half of the working part of our community have
NOT examined tui themselves the expectancy or
,be inheritance of that absorbing measure the
snconracement of Domestic Manufactures; that
tbree-fourths have never read, might say heard.
of the reports of committees, and other impOr
tant documents emanatins from our National Lee
risIature: and that body, perhaps far greater,
Know nothing of that Charter, the violation OF
which caused France to burst the chains which
boupd her-of those wrongs which wrought the
Poles to rebellion, or the oppressive cnormilles
which are likely to work, by the force OF public
on;nlon, a revolution in England. | might say
too. with less of risk than modification. that
there exist those, in this blessed country, who,
from ignorance of that Constitution which secur-
ed to them their liberties, and that power which
protects them, nised BY the Misrepresentation OF
designing men, who would aid IN the removal OF
the keystone of our political edihce, the taking
away of when would involve the whole pile in
ruins. And this stain can be so easily b'otted
out-this ignorance with so much facility dissi-
mated. portion of that time which is spent i'll
,dIeoess. or devoted to dissipation, would, If pro-
nerly used, furnish the mechanic with much know
ic,lGe: knowledge which would not only be useful.
hut amusing: knowledge which. whilst it capaci-
tated him for the performance Of the high duties
which deyolve upon him, would serve to while
awov. at his domestic freside, hours which might
otherwise be tedious and irksOmc. Ii there was
no other argument for the attainment OF an edu-
cation. the improvements which It might be the
means of work ing in the Mechanic arts ought to
NO an all-rowerful one; for what might not be the
nroduct of science when coupled with expert
ance. Of theory when joined with practice. Is
- nos mortifying-nay. debasing, that man should
80 work and sleep. as the mule that climbs the
r,grsd steep with his load, and his leisure hours
snend. nerbaps not more intellectually?- that the
british motive of gratifying his appetite, and the
sord;,i one of boarding up riches. should be those
nnly which stimulate him TO exertions Is it tor
this that he is endowed with reason! that ne IS