Alabama state intelligencer., 1831-01-26

| zling and obscuring all lesser orbs by it's re- fulgence; but diffusion of similar and nearly equal luminaries, like the bright Armament of night, where, although one star may differ from another star in glory, yet no one beams with overpowering lustre, no one conceas the order and regularity of the system, no one in- terrupts or disturbs the harmony of the scene.
 Yet even in other respects these examples are deceptive. For it is only or principally in those cases when man is to be controlled and governed, in those cases where mental energy and sagacity must be promptly and vigorously exercised, that untried and un- trained talents have been developed. And no one doubts that their effects would have been greater, their influence more beneficial,
 if their sphere of observation had been more extended, if such minds had been permitted to enlarge and correct their own views by the examples and recorded wisdom of kindred spirits.
 But in knowledge which consists in the ac- cnmulation of observations, ,opinicns, and facts, who Can travel through the maze of science, unaided and alone who can dspense with the labours of those who have preceded him who could take up, as,an unknown, unstuded book, the great volume of nature, and ac- quire in the term of human life even an im- perfect reading what strength of mind, what
 
 teral assistance9 What architect can build without materials.
 The time, the talents of thousands have been for ages devoted to science We should be acquainted with all their discoveries, we should be placed upon the same elevat, l level with CAT contemporaries, before we can i)n advantageously or fairly in their eff rts, and become companions in their triumphs before we Can accurately determine what portions of the great fabric of science are imperfect or defective; what portions invite cur research. Ill what sections exertiCns and attenticn are wanting, when that would be surperfueus. In these lAbours the lofty and aspiring mind cf man delights to engage, whether stimula e | Dy interest or curlcsity, or excited by an ar- dent desire to lock beyond himself; to under stand the laws and arrangements If that sys- tenn to which he finds himself connected to converse with wisdom to become familiar With the manifestations of power to view with an eye ct intelligence as well as admira- tion the unfailing exhibition of beauty, mag niticence, and order
 tis ill employments and in moments like this, that the mind seems to disfranchise itself from the shackles of it's material frame; to dis cucumber itself from the dross of mortality {; to feel the overshadowings and inspirations of purer and loftier spirit. It is then that man pants to pllce the impress of greatness and duration, the seal of immortality, on all that surrounds him; to incorporate himself with the scenes and events that pass along to live not for the present hour, but for the ages and generations that are to come. And, however, to the inert or the unfeeling, to the egotist or the sensuast, these aspirations may appear absurd or idle, such is the condition of our existence, that nothing great, nothing worthy or breathing of immortality, can be expected from the individual or the nation, whose views never soar beyond the wants, the enioyments, the desires of the present hour. Man lives more than he is aware of for posterity and often his greatest enjoyments are derived from the pursuit and accomplishment of those ob- Jects which, while they scatter blessings round the present generation, promise, per haps ensure, benefits to distant ages. He builds temples that future race may wor- ship; creates institutions where another age shall be instructed frames laws and consti- tutions by which they shall be guided and pro tected rears monuments that shall testify to them his triumphs and improvements. And posterity repays them with the tribute of re- spect and veneration, the undying name, the deep feeling of admiration which departed greatness always inspires. Even inanimate objects revive the strong impressions which the mind receives from the remembrance of the deeds of the ages which have passed a. way, as they testify to the power and the grandeur of the mighty who have fallen. Who can walk amidst the ruins of Egyptian Thebes, and not remember and feel. even now, the power and magnlfcence Of the race that ere cted her stupendous fabrics? Who can wander amongst the mouldcring ruins of ciassic Greece with ut recalling the visions of her greatness, the memory of her sagCs and her chiefs, the talents of those gifted men whose productions are even now the admira- tion of mankind But who inquires where the Tartar or the Arab last pitched his tent Who cares where the savage of the forest builds his occasional wigwam? It is thus that the memory and character of country be- comes identified with the in,ell, ctual powers and employments of her offspring.
 And shall we, who are certainly not incu- rlous as to the concerns of this world, be in- different to the rcpablic of letters? Must we be so engrossed in the language and concerns of business, that we cannot listen to the lan- yuage ct poetic inspiration And must we iorevcr and unceasingly be deafened by the dln ct congrt ssicnal rivalres Is there be- tween the re5ukes and acclamations of part- ans and the hot warfare of canvass for office, no happy moment of tranquility in wh oh the genius of learning may raise her humble head fearlessly, and be respected, and the pursuits of contcmplative life be .cheered by the free expression of general apprcbatlon, and qu.ckened into excellence by the beng- nlty ot an attentive natiCni
 We have had to struggle thus far into our political existence, with ut the assistance of great State literary institutem; but we have now the promise tf enc and let its first fruits, as the literary character of the c,untly is de- veloped, resemble cur pol.tcal institutions ill h3erality, and be disseminated thrCughout the remotest corners of cur State.