Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1838-12-11
COLUMBUS, NIL TUESDAY, DEcnMBER Il, 1885

better regulated than their own. Give
them no chance to throw odium upon
knowledge, from the faults of its allies
and disciples. Rather let them see, that
by participation in the blessings of edu.
cation, you are made better in every do.
nestle department, in every relative duty
more ardent in every hallowed effort Of
benevolence and piety.
! cannot believe that the distaste for
household industry, which some young
ladies evince, is the necessary effect of a
more expanded system of education. Is
# not rather the abuse of that system I?
Or may il not radically be the fault Of the
mother, liz neglecting to mingle day by
day, domestic knowledge with intellectual
culture ? in forgetting that the warp needs
4 wooG ere the rich tapestry can be per.
feet? am not prepared to assert that
our daughters have too much learning.
though | may be compelled to concede,
that it is not always well balanced, or iu-
diously used.
Education is not indeed confined to any
one point of our existence, yet it assumes
peculiar Importance at that period when
the. mind IS most ductile to every impress
sion. Just at the dawn of that time, we
see the mother watching for the first faint
tinge of intellect, more than they who
watch for the morning." At her feet a
whole generation sit as pupils. Let her
learn her own value, as the first educator,
that In proportion to, the measure of her
influence, she may acquit herself of her
immense responsibilities.
The debt TO the community must be paid
through her children, or through others
whom she may rear up, to dignity and
adorn it. Aristotle said, "the fate of EN-.
pires depended on education" But that
in woman, dwelt any particle ofthat con-
sentative power, escaped the scrutinizing
eye of the philosopher of Greece. The
far.sighted statesmen Of our times have
discovered it. A Prussian legislator, at
the beginning of the present century, pro-
mulgated the principle, that "to the safe
ty and degeneration Of a people, correct
state of religious opionion and practice
was essential, which could only be effect
ed by proper attention to the early nurture
Of the mind" He foresaw the influence,
which the training Of infancy would have
upon the welfare of nation.
Let our country go still further, and re.
cogmze in the nursery, and at the freside
that hallowed agency, which, more than
the pomp of armies, shall guard her well
fare, and preserve her liberty. Trying as
she is, in her own isolated sphere, the
mighty experiment, whether a republic car
ever be permanent-standingi in need "a
she does, Of all the checks which she cal
command to curb faction, cupidity ant
reckless competition-rich in resources
and therefore in danger from her owl
power-in danger from the very exces
of her own happiness, from that knowl
edge which is the birth-right of her PEG
pie, unIes there 60 forth with it mora
purity, guarding the unsheathed weapon
let this our dear country, not slight tn
humblest instrument that may advance he
safety, nor forget that the mother, kneel
ing by the cradIe-bed, hath her hand upol
the ark of nation.
Hartford, Con. Oct. 18th, 1888.