Rhode-Island constitutionalist. [volume] (Providence [R.I.]) 1834-1834, 1834-03-12
EDUCATION THE STAFF OF A
REPUBLIC.

EDUCATION THE STAFF OF A
REPUBLIC
There are a few great spirits, in almost every
age who rise superior to every adverse crcum-
stance of fortune and education, and vindcate the no
powers that God has given them bearing valuable
testimony to the capacity of the mind, and showing
the high attainments of which it is capable. Such
glorious examples however are rare; and should ra-
ter be looked upon, when they present themselves,
as proofs OF what the native energies of man may
make him, than frequently expected to the neglect
Of those means of improvement and education,
which, properly applied, viii secure to each gen.
Grafton good proportion of weLcultiyated talents.
VIII any one, in this age Of " unexampled mental
Illumination" avow himself so determined an enc
my to IT'S liberal spirit to defend the abandoning
OF the public good to fortunate accident-the keep
ing talent in the background for want of due in
struction This is not fair dealing with the young
who form so important part of every nation. The
patriots last wish in the land of despot is that the
rising generation may be of better spirit than their
fathers, and do justice to a nature that God never
designed should be thoroughly miserable under the
curse of arbitrary rule. If this great Republic is to
survive for half century longer, it will be because
new set OF patriots have worthily taken and filed
the places Of their predecessors. Nay more, this
new race of republicans must bring with them to the
government of their country a greater degree of
knowledge, with the greatest possible honesty,)
than was sufficient before the standard of learning
was raised higher in this country. There must be
among them not a few only but many wise men, Foes
without we shall always have as long as there is a
single remnant Of despotsm on earth. If the people
are generally enlightened we cannot have foes within
our own bosom-rebes against the liberty wherewith
they are made free, and which they must be unwor-
thy of enjoying when they can think of impairng it.
While legitimate tyranny in its most odious forms
is exercising so wide sway in the old world the
good wishes and exerons of the better few notwith-
standing, let it be concern in this hemisphere TO
bring forward worthy assertors and defenders of the
rights Of man-to perpetuate, where they exist, and
to establish, where they do not exist, institutions
that may qualify every man for doing his country
service of some kind or other, when he shall be
called upon.
We see how affairs are situated abroad-that /.
majority of the people, If disposed, cannot effect
a salutary reformation in governments the most op-
pressive. Heaven forbid that there should ever be
ecen minority of silent voices on the return of
that day Of annual thanksgiving-the birthday of
our liberies-in which the united praises of ten
millions OF freemen now ascend to the great author
OF good. We otoe 1t to the tcorid to exhibit the
Jaourishing old age ofa Republic. And how shall
this great end be efectualy accomplished Every
man feels within himself susceptibites of improve
ment, and every man accordingly may answer the
question. Educate our young men.
Citizens of Island, provide for your child
ren more extended and thorough system of Pub
hc Education. What we oftentimes and Justly
dignity by the name of plain common sense in
the uninstructed, becomes superior wisdom when
brought out and cultivated. The very fact that
there is so much of this common sense in our COM
munity is the very best in the world for i'm
proving it by education. Let us attend tosthis SUBJ
ject of Education.