Iowa news. [volume] (Dubuque, Upper Mississippi Lead Mines, Wisconsin Territory) 1837-1841, 1838-01-27
IS We publish the following in compliance

We publish the following in compliance
with request contained in a resolution adopt
ed by the Society. ~
To the President of the Du Buque Literary
Association.
SlR---The committee 10 whom was referred
the "resoution to memorialize Congress on
the subject of grant of money or lands for
the establishment Of Seminary of Learning
at Du Buque," beg leave to report, That they
have had subject under consideration, and tina,
| from general view Of the subject embraced
| by the resolution, and matters relating there
| TO, they find much cause for recommending
the same TO the earnest attention, and favora-
Bile consideration of the association over which
you preside.
The Town Of Du Buque, we consider, in
consequence of its rising Importance, tavora-
BILE location, and we may say almost unlimited
resource,) as being the most eligible site for
such an institution that could be selected upon
the border of the Mississippi river, through its
whole extent Possessing, as it does, natural
advantages, which, without the aids from a
distance required by other places in their in
fancy, have already rendered it the largest and
most important town within the limits Of this
| Territory. Asproof of its eligibility as a seat
| of learning, your committee need only refer TO
the healthy climate and salubrious air Of its
vicinity, and its immediate communication by
water, with almost every portion of the wes-
tern country.
| But aside from these, your committee con-
slider the cause of education itself as one which
should receive the most liberal and efficient
support Of our government as well as patron
age Of the people.
IT'S the cultivation of mind, the force Of
education, alone that can pcrpetuate the bless
ings. and ensure the stability Of the one; or
sustain the enjoyment and promote the happi-
ness Of the other.
If a small portion only, Of the funds annual
| " expended by our government, in erecting
Notifications, and support Of fleets and armies,
should be devoted to the cause of education,
how soon would we reap the benefit IN that LOT
ty moral and intellectual elevation, which would
characterize Us as ii people, and place US as
nation in that enviabIe position which requires
no bulwarks but the breasts of her frcemen, no
shield but the enlightened energy of her sons.
The capablity of selt-government, of which
we as people, SO justly boast. must always
be based upon education, and rise with its adj
vancement or sink as it meets with neglect.
Our liberal institutions can only exist SO long
as our ctiz.ns are virtuons and intelligent, or
in other words, SO long as our government
shall foster and protect the cause of education
and the establishment of literary Institutions.
The history OF past ages affords much to
stimulate us in our eXertons in such a cause,
and abounds in melancholy lessons to warn us
against its neglected. neglect which caused
once classic Greece to groan under her horde
of tyrants, and clank her chains upon the grave
OF her former greainess---a neglect which hurl-
ed old Rome from her princely elevation, and
swallowed in luxury and debaslng effeminacy,
all traces OF her once manly grandeur.-a ne
giec; which must always cause the tfifng
mockery of the fopling to usurp the place of
manly dignity, and SEXUAL enervation, TO de-
throne the power of mental cultivation.
10 the cultivation Of education and the lib
eral patronage of literary institutions, the mo-
dern kingdoms Of England and France owe
that Development Of talent, those brilliant dis
plays Of mental power which have placed them
in the zenith of national grandeur, and have
kept then. in tho Of tho march Of political
glory.
Your committee therefore deem the consid-
Grafton of this subject, as embraced if the re-
solution as above referred, among the most
important objects which can claim your atten-
ton as a deIiberative body, and request the
acceptance of this their report upon the same,
and pray that they may be discharged from
further duty in relation thereto.