The native American. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1840, 1839-03-09

eHl coulQ scarcely De. accomplished, dH 10 aaSc:
it within hcreach of every Common School in the
United States. Those especially. Who IN early
life. had experienced the advantages occasioned
by want of books, or by being obliged to resort
to works of an inferior character, would not only
concur in this sentiment, butWond unite with HIM,
lin the belief that the circulation OF this Library
imperfect even. as it now is; Throughout the coun
try, would be hailed by the children and parents
lconnecied with our Common Schools, with intense
delight aud would create anew era in the history
fof popular education, But, If this be so, who can
estimate the benefits which may be expected to
result from the additions which. may hereafter, from
time 10 time, be- made to this collection ;-addi.
tons, many Of which will be obtained from native
writer's who<will be- enabled SO to adapt their pro.
ductions to the genius of our Institutions, and the
character of our people, as 70 make them nstrp''
mental Of giving new impulse, and higher de-
Fvelopment, TO American intelleet?. =;
It would seem almost impossible to eyaggerate
the Importance Of furnishing due supply ofsuia.
BILE books for the use Of our population and espe-
cally of our youth. Books have been aptly called
the food of the mind; and if of msound and per-.
nieous character; how Injurious must be their et-,
fects But it admits of no question, that the
American mind, and especially in. the youthful
portion Of our people, must have, andswil have, a
full and constant supply reading matter. Fit cam
not be obtained in one form, it will be sought In
some other; if the best qualities be inaccessible
an inferior. kind will be taken; and IN the absence
[of healthfu nuriment, even poison will be re-
ceved, and If its use be persisted I'M twill soon
come to be reshed by the appetite i, dePrayes
This explains why it is, that IN community so in
telligent and moral as our own, the llcentious and
vulgar publications referred 10 by the Secretary
of the Society, are. to any extent, patronlzed
by our people. Who then can ,doubt,: that the
welfare. Of the nation is deeply interested IN the
present effort: :. i, 49, -:
As to the legislative aid whchis referred to in the
resolution, Mr.. BUTLER remarked that it was not
expected or desired, that the State Legislatures
should prescribe, or even recommend, any partcu-
hr collection Of books, but only that they should
make provisions, as had beendone in bis own State
New York--for requiring the trustees or other
superintendent of the Common Schools, to pro-:
cure library for the use Of the pupils; and to as
sist so far as their State finances might allow, In
the accomplishment Of the object; The officers.
and patrons Of the schools should undoubtedly be
left to make their own selections; but much as
sistance might be rendered by the State authori-
ties, and he earnestly hoped that in every quarter
of the Union, they would direct their attention to
the subject From whatever source the funds may
be obtained by the school officers for tire purchase
Of library, 1t rs obvious, that to make The best
selections and with the least expense, they will re-
duire the aid of precisely such Society as that
now before u.s.. The individuals who have formed
lit, have done SO under the solemn conviction, that
it is the duty of every lover Of his country and of
his kind, to do what he can I'd make the American
Republic what it was designed to.be by It's found
ers, not merely mighty, but an intelligent and
virtuous nationa light to- other countries, and a.
blessing tomanklnd. If they shall be enabled BY
r. Al IL. IS
authorities entrusted with the care of public edu
small but we'll selected library in each Of our
Common Schools they will deserve the thanks Of
the present age and Of Posterity. =: j: ''. .
On motion of the Hon. W: CALHOUN, Of Massa-
chusetts, it was =. 49, -. j
Resohed, That in viewof the vast importance Of
extending the means of knowledge. and the Prinei-
piles Of virtue among Our population, that we do
cordially commend this Institution and its objects
to the consideration and support of all our fellow
citizens throughout the Union. ~. =.
Mr. CALHOUN rose, and said this resolution had
rust been placed;n his hands, with, request that
he would offer it to the meeting He offered it with
great satisfaction, because he responded. fully to
the. sentiment expressed in it, and because he be-
lieved this assembly would respond to it also, as
fully and decidedly. The advanced state Of the
evening precluded the attemptto discuss at large
this frutful topic; nor was he in situation to do
so, however strong the temptation. :: :.
Nothing, said Mr.. CALHOUN, has ever been done
by Congress upon. this great subject: Diyersites
of opinion, as to the constitutional power Of Con-
gress 'oyert had effectually prevented any legis-
lative action upon it, But here is an opportunity
presented by this Society for the Diffusion of Use
fnl knowledge. which may most happily call
into action the influences Of those who come here
as the representatives Of the people. The remark
is by no means hazardous one, that the interests
Of education seem to.be hut little regarded. here.
One would naturally expect that in this place what
ever pertained to the intellectual! character of the
country would be ,uppermost in the thoughts Of
those who come here-that the great system, of
which the purposes Of this Society. form so dis
tinguished part would absorb the attention of the
men of intellect, assembled together from every
portion Of The. country Such is.far from being the
truth. May not the establishment of this American
Society have tendency to correct what we must
H. -, H.