State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1831-1836, 1836-09-13

mcnccd by the compiler, for the universal
dissemination OF knowledge, by means of
free circulating libraries
We'll convinced that national morality is !
essential to national freedom and happiness,
he has made it IA paramount object, through
the whole course, to establish the same
conviction in the minds Of all classes Of his
readers, and more especially III his seventh
number, by concentrating in it abstracts Of
the best systems OF morals, sacred and pro-
fame, ancient and modern, from the Bible
and from the most celebrated moral phi
osophers, Socrates, Cicero, Conlucius,
Seneca, and others in succession, to Franklin
and Paley.
FinalY,thc compiler has made an attempt,
| (perhaps the first that ever was made) to
prepare system OF school instruction loun-
ded upon scientific philosophical principles.
He has been governed in the whole progress
OF his undertaking, by the great truth dis
covered by Locke, that children are not born
with a stock OF IDEAS and words ready
! formed, and also BY consequent TACT, that
compound abstract IDEAS and words, cannot
be clearly comprehended withouta previous
knowledge OF the simple and radical ones
which they represent. He does not, howev-
! - P'1tNiu =" ~ 49, ""NNN'n III "'S NhOlt' ~
nor challenge crltclsnl--on the contrary, he
VIII thankfully receive Candid suggestions
Tor the Improvement OF his plan, by mail,
nom INC trends l rational education.
1t has been frequently suggested by emf
nent American patriots, teachers and public
writers, that American Schools ought to be
supplied with American Books (parucuarIy
/ OF reading Iessons) IN preference TO compl-
latlons imported from England, thirty or
lorty years ago, ana Tor many years past, IN
almost universal use IN The schools OF the
United States. III cannot be expected that
compilations designed Tor the instruction CT
BRUSH children selected ny British subjects,
! Woulo ne peculiar ~ aGapted To the formation
OF right national character for the sons
and daughters OF American F'rermen How
Tar the compiler OF the American School Ii
" important object, he leaves it to a republic
can public to decide, alter a thorough exam
nation and experiment OF his books, and he
appeals to American patriotism to test them
in The one way or the otaer.
Believing that the immediate aud uni
versal adoption Of the American School
Library, in schools, academies and families
throughout the United States, would be
productive OF important public as well as
private nenellt, the compiler respectfully
submits ms DOCKS to the candid consideration
OF lhe respective legislatures OF the United
states, trustees and precertoTS OF academies
commissioners and teachers o. schools, guar
diahs and parents, booksellers, manuiaclur-
ers ana merchants, and soIlcits THEN official
ana lndI'ld1aI patronage, provided they
concur IN ms opinion OF It's consequent pub
nc utlIitV, after careful investigation OF his
system ana IN proper ton as tins is done,
ne INDUCES the belief, CORNER cxperle nee,
( mat 'hey VIII be generally introduced, and
that consequent TO this, the intellectual and
moral improvement and virtue OF the present
ana future generations, will be prOpOltiona-
bly, advanced.
JESSE TORREY, Jun.
NeWburgh, July 4, 1886.
EXlfact Oh note from Thomas Jefferson,
,ate fleSuent OF Inc United States, dated
( -NN' 'Ctl''; JAN - 1888