Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1838-06-26
BvDLipsCoMB, NJ. D.

In submitting an opening lecture TO the
Dnblic exercises Of our association the
tide bywhich we are known, has very
naturally suggested my subject. Our
avowed object in this association is the
ACQUISITION and diffusion Of knowledge.
You an know what this means. II were
vain to follow the schOolmen in their va
riOus readings and definitions Of this
term. On this subject they have ass'r-
cdlv 4darkened counsel by multitudes OF
words without knowledge" 1t is suth-
cioDt for our purpose to remarks that
knowledge embraces experience OF 'ne
.c5n;romon, Of ideas or truths by obser-
vstion.Ond learning and reflection. The
Almighty has wisely and benehcently or
,dained that we shall come into being, lg-
norant Of ourselves, and of every thing
around US; but withPOwers and faculties,
capable by exercise and direction to their
appropriate objects, of infinite develOPe-
men,. The development and exercise
Ofthese powers and faculties constitute
knowledge.
In the further illustration of this sub
iect. we shall glance at some of the inn
pediments in the way to the acquisition
of knowledge, propose our plan for its
natural and easy acquisition, and con-
clude with an exhibition of some of its
advantages.
First, then, in the very threshold, the
preiudices and pre.conceptiOns of soci-
CITY around us interposes a mountain bar
rier. Mankind in all ages have received
slowly, and reluctantly, innovations or
Improvements upon long established usa-
ges. We are strongly welded to the
WAYS in which our Fathers walked, and
the things our Fathers loved. AS con-
sequence, the innovator most usually re-
oeives cursing instead of blessing from
the community he designs to benefit
His motives are impugned, and his posi-
tions assailed and condemned without ex-
animation. The shafts Of ridicule and
whitening satire, dipped in the very dregs
Of Acheron, are hurled at him by every
plodding drone Of the community. This,
friends, is but the usual penance, which
bold and fearless genius talents and en-
enterprise must ever pay to ignorance
and stupidity. Think it not strange, then,
if ever our transformations Association,
for the acquisition and diffusion of USE
full knowledge, should encounter these
difficulties. No enterprise, nor improve
ment, however glorious or useful in its
results to mankind has shared better
fate. All history is replete with evidences
of this truth. That portion of society
whose mushroom reputation or sOrdid in
terests are involved in the perpetuity o
established usages always raise the cue
koo note Of speculation against every i'm
proYement. When Harvey gave his il
lustratiOn of the beautiful mechanism c
the heart, arteries and veins, in the circu
latiOn Of the blood, the lcise doctors of tn
day pronounced it a pretty speculation
When Columbus proposed his theory
the earth and his plan for the discovery
this western hemisphere, the petty phi
sOphers termed it, an absurd speculate
When the immortal Fulton launched
first steam boat on the waters of the Hr
son, the gaping, soothing multitude or
out, what foolish speculation. WI
the bold and adventurous bird Of J,
mounts on untiring wing, to gaze on
Sun in his midday splendour, the G
bling Goslins, Tomtits and Dodos, u
be 10 follow him in his daring fiji
cry out with astonishment, what a sp
did speculation.
The second impeachment, we shall
tice to the acquisition of knowledge
ignorance of the specific faculties
powers to be employed in this matter.
Much Of the difficulty we encou
from this source, has arisen from the
cussant and unsatisfactory systems
mental philosophy given US by the m
physicians. Scarcely any two of ther
gree as to what are the primitive facu
and capabilities of man. system q
system has RUurished, fallen and. I
forgotten, in rapid and melancholy
cessiOn.'' By all Of the mind ana
manifestations have been studied with
little reference to the body. They
looked upon it as an indefnable SO
thing, separate and apart from organ
matter. With these discordant and
natural views Of mind and its facul
their cultivation could not Of course
otherwise than irregular, empirical
imperfect.
The third impeachment to the acql
tion acknowledge, which we would ng
lsthe improper direction Of the facull
we have all experienced the force Of
dIihcuIty. The drudgery, toll and
gust We have felt in coming over by
ourschOOl-bOy lessons, can never Be
gotten. We can never fnrnet tie .ouar.