State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1831-1836, 1836-09-19

mcnced by the compiler, for The universal
of knowledge, by means Of
free circulating libraries.
Wen convinced that national morality is
essential to national freedom and happiness,
he has made ii paramount object, Though
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 !
tho best systems Of morals, sacred and po.
lane, ancient and modern, from the Bible
and from the most celebrated moral phi |
osophers, Socrates, Cicero, ConiuciuS, |
Seneca, and others in succession, To- Franklin |
and Paley.
Finally,thc compiler has made an attempt,
(pcrhaps the first that ever was made) to
prepare n system of school instruction loun-
ded upon scientific philosophical principles.
lie has been governed in the whole progress
| OF his undertaking, by the great truth dis
covered by Locke, that children are not born
with stock OF IDEAS and words ready
| formed, and also by "A consequent TACT, that
compound abstract IDEAS and words, cannot
be clearly comprehended wilhouta previous
knowledge Of the simple and radical ones
which they represent. He does not, howev
cr, pretend to perfect success in his efforts,
nor challenge criticisn---on The contrary, he
will thankfully receive candid suggestions
for the improvement Of his plan, by mail,
! from the friends ol rational education.
1t has been frequently suggested by emf
ncnt American patriots, teachers and public
writer's, that American Schools ought To he
supplied with American Books (particularly
Of reading lcssons) in preference TO compi-
lations imported lIom England, thirty OF
| e.
almost universal use in the schools OF the
United States. 10 cannot be expected that
compilations designed for the instruction CT
British children selected by British subjects,
would be peculiarly adapted to the formation
of right national character for the sons
and daughters of American Frccmcn. How
lar the compiler OF the American School Ii
bIary has succeeded r promoting this high
lV important object, he leaves it to republi-
can public to decide, after thorough exam.
nation and experiment OF his books, and he
appeals to American patriotism to test them
inthc one way or the otser.
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
submits his books to the candid consideration
OF the respective legislatures of the United
States, trustees and preccptorS OF academies
commissioners and teachers oil schools, guar
dams and parents, booksellers, manufacture
ers and merchants, and solicits theil official
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 expere nee,
that they will be generally introduced, and
that consequent TO this, the intellectual and
moraimprovement and virtue OF the present
and future generations, will be proportional
bly, advanced.
JESSE TORREY, Jun.
Ncwburgh, July 4, 1896.
Extract OF a note from Thomas Jefferson
late President OF the United States, dated
Monticello, Jan. 5, 1922:
=" thank, you, sir, for the copy Of your
moral Instructor had read the first edi'
ton with great satisfaction, and encouraged
its reading in my family"
Extract Of a letter from james Madison,
late President OF the United States, dated
Montpelier Jan. so, 1892:
"Sir--l have received your letter Of the
18th, with copy OF the Moral Instructor.
81 have looked enough into Your little
volume to be satisfied, that both The selected
and original parts contain information and
instruction which may be useful, not only to
Juvenile, but most other readers
"Your plan OF free libraries to be spread
through community, does credit to your be-
nevolent zeal. The trial OF Them in behalf OF
apprentices, seems to have been Justly ap-
proved, and to have bad an encouraging sue.
| cess.
"a tree of useful knowledge planted in
every neghbourhood, would help to make
n paradise; as that OF forbidden use occa-
stoned the loss OF one. And wish you
much success in propagating the fruitful
blessing.
with friendly respects,
JAMES MADISON.
DIR Fanny