The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1837-07-29

'~~h' IA StiOuS-llluu6u3 SOuIu-luuglnQ
man, educated by observation and thought,
and deeply interested in his countrys well
fare, thought he may be so unskilled in
school-boy requirements as to be unable to
write his own name, 0reven read that of
his chosen candidate, is yet far more capa-
BILE ct rightly using his privilege of voting,
than the, graduate of college, who has cir
cumnavigated the whole circle of the sci
ences, and is familiar with every written
language, butwho has never spent a thought
upon the government of his country, or
upon the requisite qualifications of its Off
Vcers. The education of children is now be-
coming a subject of great and engrossing
interest," anditis noble cause for exertion.
This is planting for the coming generation;
but cannot something also be done for the
PRESENT. Is not the moral improvement of
those who are now men and women, faith
ers and mothers, as binding on the lover of
his country, and his kind, as that of chill
dren who are to become these in future!
Surely it must be. Even the cause of edu-
cation would prosper more successfully, if
the duty of enlightning the opinions of the
parents received its due share of attention.
Parental example and authority are power
full instruments in elevating or debasing the
character of child. And all efforts to ben
eft mankind should begin in the family cir
Gle, for here is the fountain-head of good
and Of evil. Contrast the influence Of a
teacher, however competent by his knowl-
edge and wisdom, or venerated for his pie
ty and benevolence, with that of parent
the brothers and sisters. The few precepts
given, and few hours spent in school,
are but feeble restraints in checking the vi
cious tendencies wrought by the example
of home, and fostered by its powerful and
.pervading influences.
Let the patriot, the philanthropist, and
the Christian, think of these things. Let
them follow the example of those whom
they must unite to oppose, in their perseve-
rance, their activity, and their untiring ef-
fort. Let them enlist the press in their
cause, and give the people line upon line,
and precept upon precept-leading them
gradually and pleasantly onward in the
knowledge of their various duties. And
surely the advantage Of oral instruction and
public addresses should not be left wholly
inthe possession oftheir opponents. Then
let those who have studied human nature,
and who are friendly to the true interests OF
their fellow creatures, search out and reflect
upon the best plans for enlightening public
opinion, and diligently pursue those most
suitable for promoting the desired end.
To such, we take the liberty of suggesting
plan which was found eminently useful
in period strikingly similar, in many re-
spects, to our own. Then as now, there
were disaffection and rebellion against the
laws, g. murmurings and threatenings, riots
Lee 4ho frop
scarcity and high prices of provisions
There was also an active dissemination oi
infdel and disorganizing doctrines, written
in style to attract the poor, sold at low
prices, and disseminated with incredible
industry. This plan was, to fight these
vendors of anarchy and atheism with THEN
own weapons and to establish by sub
scription, kind periodical issue OF tr.lc 'I'
called 'The Cheap Repository III winch
three separate publications were produced
every month, consisting of stories, ballads
and Sunday readings, written in lively
and popular manner, by way OF counterac'
ton to the poison continually flowing
through the channel of vulgar, llcenhoust
and seditious publications
The design succeeded beyond the mos
sanguine expectations of its protector anC
principal writer. Two millions OF these
publications were sold in the first year; anC
the good effects said to have proceeded
from these tracts, would be almost beyond
belief, were they not recorded in the letters
of Bishop Portues, and others, equally eel
ebraled characters of the time. OF one
ballad called 'The Riot it is stated that
prevented a mob among the colliers nea
Bath, in which the mills were to be at
tackled, and the flour seized, And it is re
lated Of the Village Politics. that it flew
with a rapidity which may appear incredI
BILE TO those whose memories do not reacl
back to that period, into every part OF thu
kingdom. Many thousands were sent by
government to Scotland and Ireland. Nu
inerous patriotic persons printed large e9di
tions, at their own expense, and in Londol
alone many hundred thousand were sool
circulated.' And this little publication
said to have 'wielded at will, the fierce de
mocracy of England and to shave tame'
the tide of misguided opinion. And man.
persons of the soundest judgment went St
far as to affirm, that it had essentially con
nibuted, under Providence, to prevent
revolution