Liberty advocate. [volume] (Liberty, Miss.) 1835-1866, 1839-03-07

know it has been supposed that the Atheni-
ans had something peculiar in their genius,
which gave to them their unparalleled success.
But VIC have seen that when, with the loss of
freedom, they lost their love Of literary glory,
they fall back to the ordinary level Of mankind; h
and were not at all distinguished for literary
merit from the mass Of nations s. I was not
mature, but the means adopted to ass and i'm .
prove nature, th0 gave to them their prc-emi.
neacc; and their success was but in exact pro-
portion to the perfection and use Of those
means.
could wish fall were agreed init, that this
Institution should make one OF number OF coli
leges to constitute a university to be established
here, and to be endowed in a manner worthy Of
this great nation and their resources, This
object. recommended by Washington in one of
his early communications to Congress, has not,
/ as it appears to me, received the attention il
merits. For such an establishment, formed and
conducted as it might be, would be attended
with great and glorious results TO this country
mot only by iis-dlrect operation IN eIcyaIIng
/ The standard OF education; but by forming a
central point, a local head to alllhc learning Of
Ithecountry- asihe most learned nations
OF Earopo have and from which hey derive the
greatest advantages. Bat asopjnions are dlyi-
Ided upon this subject, not, | should hope, as to
1.-The great disturbances Of SUCH an establish.
Imen,--Jut rs to The constitutional competency
Of Congress TO undertake it, will not embar-
rass my present object by involving 1t with
that subject This,a3 an Independent lnst,u-
lion. may hereafter be made part OF such a
university should one be established; but 1t is
now 10 be looked at only as an Independent In
Istitution. Still should hope that's the iberaIlty
Iof Congress would 50 far concur with the gene
rosity OF this foreign bonelactor as to give full
effect to his benofciont purpose; and would
not only give the grounds conycnenl for the ac-
conmodation and location ottIle buildings, but
would also make an appropriation oil money
therefore sufficient to cover the cost OF thor e.
recton; leaving the whole amount OF the lega-
CT as fund, the proceeds OF which to be dpPii-
cd to the accumulation of book and apparatus
and tothc support Of the instruction and gov
ernment of the institution; otherwise the whole
thing, fear, will prove failure by the cX-
pense Of the outfits; at least when compared 10
the results which it might be made TO produce.
For though the salaries of instruction should
not be over large, yet they should be SO lt6e-
raj as to command the services OF the abest
instructors in every department embraced by
the plan Of education, This is not the occasion
for detail in full the plal Of education which
should wish to see adopted. will, however,
beg leave to give its outline; promising that my
object would be to give both learning and abill-
Ity, but ability as the primary object. Ability,
as have stated, en- only be given, as | am full
IIy persuaded by appropriate exercises directed
Iby certain rule, that is by principles OF the
art, whatever that ait may be- So that exer-
cises would be the Alpha and Omega ofmy sys-
Item. The studies should he combined OF SCI
ence and literature with its appropriate arts.
As 10 science, they should be restricted TO SCI
encc properly so caIed-to pure original SCI
Ience-wih some ofthepracica branchesihere"
Of not necessary now to be indicated; excluding
professionally learning altogether, Asto liter
Iature, the studies should be given tosecct mod
els Of perfect literature, and to all those arts
Iby which that perfect literature has been pro-
duccd and may be reproduced, accompanied by
all those exercises regularly and ardeptly pur-
sued, by which power and skill is given IN those
arts, The preliminary studies TO qualify Tor
admission should also be prescribed. ] would
have model school for this preparation annex
ed to this Institution and made a part Of the
establishment
Such an Institution, conducted by great mas,
ters, as should hope the instructors tobe-and
without such indeed nothing great can be ac-
complished. whatever the system may be; but,
conducted by great masters, would make the IL
EDstrious stranger the founder OF the Institution,
as think, one of the greatest Of bonefactofs to
our country and to mankind, andto be wor-
shipped almost here, al least, as the patron
saint Of education.
Mr.. PRESTON rose and said: Unquostlona'
.bly the subject to which my venerable TREND
The honorable Senator from Rhode Island has
called the attention of the Senate is one oil great
Importance, demanding the grave consideration
,Iof CONGRESS. The Smithsonian legacy has put
The Government in possession OF hall million
.IordoIars, which by the acceptance OF the trust
,Iimposes upon us the duty Of administering this
fund in the most appropriate way TO accom-
| nlish the broad benehcence "ot The dVHStoa o.
> learning amongst men," As 1t IS IN order o.
Providence, that as the mind Is enlarged oui
/ moral nature is also exalted, there can DC nc
object more beneGclent or dgnlhcd than INA
which the acceptance Of this legacy presents t'
sius. | earnestly hope that our efforts TO dls
+ charge the trust assumed may be wisely dlrcc
lied and crowned with success. And surely
: Mr.. President, the establishment OF the Smilh
/ sonian Institute could not commence under an!
e more favorable auspices than to have attracted
the care Of the honorable Senator, who IN ever.
I. way is so eminently qualified TO take charge
. Whatever concerns the interests OF learning Q
rIofcharty. No one has more experienced II
4 his own heart, or more exempllhed in his OWL
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