The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1837-11-03
From the United States Ga.etI
DIR. PIsE,s ADDRESS.

We are indebted to a friend for copy of an "Ad-
dress delivered before the Philodemic Society of
| D. D." The subject of the Address is Excel
lence." We copy few paragraphs
al assume as proposition which cannot be dis
puted that every noble and ingenious heart longs for
greatness This aspiration like that after happiness
| exces the spirit warns the heart, anmates the
whole being The soul, from its very nature. is
ever tending towards perfeetion-never satisfied
with the object it has attained-but painting and in
| halating after better and higher things. Ardent in
the pursuit of Excellence, that principle stirs up all
its affections, puts in motion all its energies and en-
crosses all its thoughts. To you, most amiable
| young men, | appeal: is there not within your
breasts an abiding tendency towards Exceence2-
| and would you not brand as low and craven that
spirit which could rest satisfied in obcuri,y, be dor
mant in the midst OF the stirring events that lead to
greatness, and linger without energy activity in
the body which il animates only to conduct il to an
ignoble grave! You know-the genius of history
has taught you-that the principle of Excellence 1t
was that gave life to the arts and sciences effect and
wisdom to the laws, stability and consolidation to
governments. II was the same that infused moral
into action, and caused the philosopher to WRITE the
legislator to decree, and the patriot to act
"The man who is influenced by this noble princi-
Pile studies every resource By which he may attain
his object. Mark young gentlemen, l speak not OF
false greatness-not of that imaginary thing which
has troubled the peace of individuals, and shaken
nations to their centre bat that which is synony-
nous with Excellence and Virtue. In pursuing this
greatness every means of success will be resorted
to by the aspiring heart. Turning aside from the
seducing Authorizations of selflove and egotism, it
will with untiring perseverance,, tend onward TO
that glorious reality which has given to all great
men their elevation and their character. In order,
therefore, that you may not be deceived by the mis-
representations of error led astray by the strong
force of passion, il will BE- necessary TO examine
what the principal obstacles TO true greatness;
and by discovering them, you may well be enabled,
under the guidance of truth and wisdom, to take the
proper and only path that will conduct you to that
noble end.
"We may say of Excellence what Fontenelle has
observed of happiness-.hat every one speaks of it,
but few understand it. And though it has formed
the subject of innumerable philosophic disqusitions
it has not been brought down so practically TO the
approximations ofthc people, as TO cause them TO de-
rive for themselves all the advantages and useful
ness ii contains
al. regard as the first obstacle to Excellence
the want OF courage and perseverance. There is
twofold courage-the one of the mind, the other of
the heart-boh necessary in the requirement of
grcatness-and consequently the want Of either will
render its attainment impossible. The former is
the attribute of reason, the latter of moral. Man
acts under this two-fold principle in proportion
he reflects compares, analyses, foresees; but above
all, in proportion he accustoms himself to the
vigorous and elevating influence Of religion. For,
after all, in religion alone true greatness can be
found. God alone Is great From Him, as from
its source emanates all greainess-and you must be
convinced, that neither mental courage nor the cou-
rage of the heart be had unless they be awaken.
ed by the quickening impulses and strengthened by
the plastic energies of divine religion.
"The object of education is to develope and perfect
the physical, intellectual and moral faculties
Where these not thus perfected, education can
not be complete. The development of the physi-
cal powers renders the constitution strong and ro-
bust that Of the intellectual gives prompt percep-
tion, and sound judgment, By which the mind is en-
riched with varied information-the springs of sci
encc are unocked-the production of talent and art
are appreciated, and lofty emulation is awakened
which urges us forward to follow the footsteps Of
| those who have trodden the paths of Excel
| lence. The developement Of the moral facul-
ties-and this forms the principal object of educa-
tion-renders man apt to receive, and willing to
follow the lessons of wisdom-to fulfil all duties--io
be just honest, benefcent, patriotic, religious, and
establishes the conviction of what have before hint
ed that true greatness cannot exist without virtue"
We make at hazard the above quotations--they
are good, and commend themselves 10 the good
The whole address is instructive, and we doubt not
will prove beneficial as pointing out to the young
the means of that excellence after which the virtu-
Gus always aspire Dr. Pise shows how little, if
any excellence can be hoped for withou. religion,
and how much that principle requires to sacrifice
and how II aids us TO sacrifice our b3ser passions,
for the attainment of virtue true eminence peace Of
conscience, and all that is worthy the of excel
lence.