Vandalia Whig and Illinois intelligencer. [volume] (Vandalia, Ill.) 1832-183?, 1833-10-09
EDUCATION.

The subject of EDUCATION is the most
important that can at present occupy the
public attention. And certain am. that
without universal education; of which the
Christian Religion shall form the basis, this
country cannot and will not retain its
freedom and prosperity. lay it down
as an axiom, that any system OF educa-
tor, which is not based upon the Chris
tan Religion, must be futile, if not posi-
lively mischevous. Law is said by Black
stone to be the perfection of reason: Bui
know of no human laws to which this
description will apply. The law Of Re
vaiatlon is alone perfect; and hence the
necessity of ditiusing ii universal knowl.
edge OF ii, by making it the foundation OF
all other studies.
1t must be obvious indeed TO every ell
frightened christian, that if education.
based on christianity, be once UNIVERSAL,
dihused. all other good will follow Of
course. Ihls must be tue corner stone
OF national prosperity and happiness
with 1t, we shall have every thing thai
humanity can wish for. Without it, we
are lost. Let it be laid, then, and bull
upon speedily, and while the materials
are in our hands. Bible societies, Ten
Perance societies, and all other combna-
tons for public improvement, will be
come unnecessary, if the axe be laid al
once at the root Of inquity, by grating
education, in public and universal sense,
upon the gospel, as the tree Of knozvledge
and Of life; let this be the foundation oi
our commonwealth, and the superstruc-
lure will finally rear its head to the ha-
ven OF heavens, and become encircled b,
the halo of eternal glory!
The following passage, from the Vale
dIctory Address of Washington, is replete
with that wisdom which distinguished its
Immortal author: "Of all the dispositions
and habits which lead TO political prospe-
rlty, religion and morality are indispensa-
bic supports. In vain would that man
CLAIM the tribute ofpatriotism, who should
labor to subvert these great pillars Of hu-
man happiness-these tirmest props of the
duties of men and citizens. The mere
politician, equally with the pious man,
ought to respect and to cherish them
A volume could not trace all their con.
nectlons with private and public felicity.
Let II simply be asked, where is the Sc.
cturIty for property, for reputation, for
lie, IT the sense Of religious obligation
desert the oaths, which are the instru-
ments of investigation in courts of Jus
hce? And let US with caution indulge
the suPposition, that morality can be
maintained without religion. Whatever
may be conceded TO the influence of re
hned education on minds of peculiar
structure, reason and experience both
forbid US to expect that national moral
~ can prevail in exclusion of religious
principles. "-.4lbany Daily Adu.
Col. CrockeH.-A great deal has been
said in the newspapers concerning Col.
Crockett, who has been again elected a
member Of Congress from Tennnssee.-
|. was the misfortune of the Colonel 10
have received no school education in his
youth, and since to have had but little CD.
Poltunity to retrieve that defect; but he
is a man Of a strong mind and of great,
goodness Of heart. The manner Of his
remarks are so peculiar that they excite
much attention, and are repeated because
OF their originality; but there is sound
ness, or point, in some of them, which
shows the exercise Of well disciplined
Judgmcnt-and we think it not easy for
an unprejudiced man to communicate
with the Colonel without feeling he is
honest. We have had some opportunity
OF Knowing the calibre of many members
OF Congress for 25 or 80 years past, and
we have met with many, very many, far
less capable of ascertaining truth than
Col. C.--much leas attentive to the duties