Litchfield enquirer., 1833-07-04


 tien. to bs Rbcrslly educated, that is, Ihev ought to have tue best education that is at tainable. I do net say that sUerv farmer ought to go to college, or become prof- cient in Greek and Latin. I speak of them as a class, and by liberal education, l mean such a course of intellectual disci- pline as will fit them 10 sustain tue rank which they ought to hold in this republic. They are by right the sovereigns of lhe land. because they constitute an overwhel- ming majority. Why do they not then, tn fact. rule the landl, Because, aud only because. they are too ignorant. And thus they sink into comparative insigni6cancs l; and suffer themselves to be used as the mere instruments of creating their own masters N1n care us little for their welfare as if they xeNrc born to be heasfs of hurdeu.a Were iI ihle. | would visit every far mer i.l T ssee, who is not already awake, and 6Adeayor to arouse hial from his fatal lethargy, by every consideration which can render life and liberty desira- ble, and urge Ripl to reclaim his abandon ed rights.and Ris lost dignity, by giving to his sous that measure of instruction which will qualify them to assert and maintain their just superiority in the councils of the i state and of the nation. like men proudly conscious of their intellectual as. well as physical powers. .a
 The same general remarks apply to mechanics and all tho labouring classes, in proportion 10 their numbers. An educa- ton, even ofthe highest order. may be as valuable to them as tesothsrs. In Sur free country, a farmer or mechanic, wir, equal talents and intelligence, woOld bs more likely to become a popular favorite, than either lawyer.ur the well bred heir of an opuient patrleian family, Suppose a far. mer could speak as well, write us we'll ap- pear as we'll versed in history, geography, l statistics, jurisprudence, politics and other matters ofgeneral and local interest, as the (lawyer--would he npt stand better chance of being elevated 10 the highest, most honorable, and most lucrative offices ,
 "A grand heresy on the subject of edu- cation seems to have arsen from the usage which obtained at an early period in mod- ern European society, and which many centuries may have sanctioned and eon- firmed--nainely, that learned aud libsr- al education was and is deemed important only for a liberal profession, or for rgehtle- men of wealth and leisure. Hence the church, the bar, and the medical as, lave nearly G.onopolised the learning of the void. Onrg people reason and act in aes, cordanc0 with ttss same absurd and asiss tocfatic system. The cui bono is upon ev- cry tongue. Wha, good (it is nskcd) will college learning do'my son2 He sto bea farmer, a merchant. mechanic. Now I would answer such question in the first place, directly, thos A college education, or the besr, most thorough, and most ex- tensve education tha. can be acquired, will be of immense benefit to your son, simply as a farmer. mechanic, merchant, manu- tacturer, sailor, or soldier. And would patiently endeavor to show him how, and in what respect; but will not attempt il, lustrate snch truisms at present. But, in tho second place, would reply to my your son in the best manner possible. be- cause you expec. him 10 be a.man and not horse or an OK. You cannot tell what good he may achieve. or what important offices he may discharge in his day. For aught you know, he may, if you do your duty by him, become the President of tho United States. At any rate, he has rea- son and understanding, which ought to be cultivated for their own sake. Should he eventually live tn the most humble retire- ment, and subsist by the hardest manual la. bor, still he may enjoy an occasional feast of the purest and most exhiiirating kind. If all our Daboring fellow citizens could rel- ish books and should have access to ,hein, what bound.ess field of innocent recrea- ] ton and profitable entertainment would not be always at hand and within their reach What 4ood of cheering light and happi- ness would not be shed upon the dark path, and poured into the bitter cup, of millions of rational beings; who, at present. rank bu. little above the brute in lheir pursuits, and enjoymen,s2 n ..
 In reference to elementary education. parent ought never to inquire what his child is to be--whelber farmer, or law- yer-but should educate him in the best manner practicable, and endeavor toinspire him with sentiments of virtue, and inde- pendencs, which would preserve him from the vulgar pride of being ashamed to earn his living by honest industry. Besides. learning is itself treasute---an estatS-of which DO adverse fortune can deprive it's possessor. It will accompany. and console and support him to the worlds end aud to