State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1831-1836, 1836-09-06

mencSu DV lne COHlpHtf, III t'S UNIVERSAL
dissemination OF knowledge, by means OF
Tree circulating libraries.
Well convinced that national morality is
essential to national freedom and happiness,
h. Inns made il paramount object, through
the whole couiSe, TO establish the same
conviction in the minds of all classes of his
readers, and more especially IN his seventh
number, by concentrating in il abstracts Of
the best systems OF moIas, sacred and piO-
fame, ancient and modern, from the Bible
and from the most celebrated moral phi
lOsophers, Socrates, Cicero, ConluciuS,
Seneca, and others in succession, 10 Franklin
and Paley.
Finally,the compiler has made an attempt,
| (perhaps the first that ever was made) 10
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 oil IDEAS and words ready
! formed, and also by consequent fact, that
compound abstract ideas and words, cannot
be clearly comprehended withouta previous
knowledge ol the simple and radical ones
which they represent. lie does not, howev-
er, pretend TO perfect success in his efforts,
nor challenge crticisn--on the contrary, he
will thankfully receive candid suggestions
for the improvement Of his plan, by mail,
from tho friends oi rational education.
II has been frequently suggested by emf
nent American patriots, teachers and public
writer's, that American Schools ought 10 be
supplied with American Books particularly
of reading lessons) in preference TO compi-
lations imported from England, thirty or
forty years ago, and for many years past, in
almost universal use in the schools Of the
United States. IL cannot be expected that
compilations designed for the instruction CT
British children selected by British subjects,
would he peculiarly adapted to the formation
Of right national character for the sons
and daughters OF American Freemen. How
lar the compiler OF the American School Lii
bIary has succeeded ir promoting this high
~ important object, he leaves it TO Tepubli-
can public to decide, alter thorough cxam-
nation and experiment OF his books, and he
appeals to American patriotism to test them
in the one way or the otRer.
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 benefit, the compiler respectfully
submits his books to the candid consideration
OF the respective legislatures OF the United
States, trustees and preceptors OF academies
commissioners and teachers OF schools, guar
dams and parents, booksellers, manufacture
erS and merchants, and solicils theiI olficia
and individual patronage, provided they
concur in his opinion OF lis consequent pub
lie utility, after careful investigation OF his
system and in proportion as this is done
he INDUCES the belief, CORNER experience,
that they will be generally introduced, AM
that consequent to this, the intellectual anl
mora improvement and virtue OF the present
and future generations, WILDE proportions
bly, advanced.
JESSE TORREY, Jun.
Ncwburgh, July 4, 1886.
= Extract OF a note from Thomas Jefferson
) late President oil the United States, datet
Monticello, Jan. 5, 1892:
81 thank, you, sir, Tor the copy of you
Moral INSTRUCTOR had read the first edi
ton with great satisfaction, and encourage
, its reading in my family"
Extract OF letter from James Madison
late President OF the United States, datet
Montpelier Jan. 80, 1892:
"Sir--l have received your letter of tn
18th, with a copy OF the Moral Inst ructor
81 have looked enough into your it'll
! volume to be satisfied, that both the seccte,
= and original parts contain information an
instruction which may be useful, not only L
Juvenile, but most other readers.
; "Your plan OF free libraries to be sprea
through community, does credit to your be
nevolent zeal. The trial OF them in behalf O
apprentices, seems 10 have been Justly ap
. proved, and to have had an encouraging sue
cess.
GA tree OF useful knowledge planted il
:, every neighbourh6od, would help 10 max
paradise; as that oil forbidden use occa
: stoned the loss OF one. And wish yo
much success in propagatng the iruitir
:, blessing.
' With friendly respects,
u JAMES MADISON.
. DIR. ToRREY.