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

now in use, under this name, is too well known to
Ecall for comment. II a new, national, and stand
ard set could be prepared, combining. the excel
tencles Of all books used in Our own or other
countries teachers would rejoice, parents would be
relieved of. the. constantly recurring evils and ex-
tpenses Of a. change of school books and millions
1of minds would reap .incalculable benefits. -.
Mr.. Chairman, the cost Of placing Library. like
theone before us, in each OF the 5OOOQ schools OF
our Country, would be S 0O0, 600. What sum,
will express the benefits -. - r
!, we consider alone its bearing upon our pecu-
mary interests, upon our national wealth, would it.
not be one Of the most polite measures that could
possibly be adopted ?. We have been told, by high
authority, that the, simple invention OF the Cotton
/ Gin, has been.worth more than hundred millions
of dollars! The discoveries and experiments Of
Fulton, I'VE all know, have been of priceless value
How many such inventions might we reasonably
anticipate from the young and vigorous mind of
this nation; with all the. practical principles OF
science brought within its .reach2 Sir, the age OF
invention has not passed by. -
T. But. should not do justice to the objeetsofthis
institution, or to. the feelings of its officers and
friends, whom this delegation has the honor to re-
present, did 4 not say that after all, the highest,
the croWnihg good to be anticipated and desired, in
the action Of this Institution is its influence on the
intellectual improvement and moral culture OF our
people. The fundamental principle Of the Society
is, that the Universal Diffusion of knowledge, i'm
bued with the spirit Of Christianity; is indispensi-
BILE for bringing any people to the fall enjoyment
of the best civil and social institutions" and though,
in every aspect Of the subject, viewed in all its
bearings, the proposed operations of the Society,
cannot but be Of iicalcufable value, still its moral
bearings are infinitely the most important.
I L., Loo &c., NJ. Hhn,rpo I no
llieve of your own State, who has thought mach Of
4 the importance Of training the youthful mind Of
this nation, Alright, q who would commit the harp
to be tuned by an nnskful hand, if IFS notes were
to vibrae foreyer"' e.
Sir, the young hearts Of our rising generation
are immortal harps! and language cannot oyerstate
the importance of their being tuned in unison
with the high principles of morality and piety., i.
These immortal minds will act in sweet harmo-
ny, or, in dreadful dscord-fore yer! 80. s.:
The SON is but spark of fire, -. =,
| '.., A transient meteor in the sky, -. .,:.
49,. The soul immortal as its sire =. -
| 49,. Can-neu de! -. ....'.. 80.
But while these sir are believe the views Of
the friends and patrons Of the Institutions think
can unhesitatingy say it has no political no secta-
rian no sectional party end whatever serve. Its
objects are pure, national and philanthropic; and it
seems. to US that they emphatically deserve the
most cordial and efficient support of every lover Of
our country and Of our. felIoW-men. -, / -, 4.
! On motion of the Hon. JUDGE WAYNE, Of Ga,
who spoke briefly, but mpressivey, on the value
and Importance Of such Society," it was
Resolued, That in view Of. the immense power
Of the press and Of its ascertained tendency in
country, such an institution as the American So
ciety for the Diffusion Of Useful knowledge APP
pears eminently desirable; and its influence can.
scarcely fail TO- be salutary, and to increase the
number of pure and elevatiug publications, and 10
diminish those Of pernicous and demoralizing
character. - =: ..,....''.. ~. =
On motion of the Hon. B.. F. BUTLER it was y
Resolved, That the design Of eevatngthe character
and extending the influence Of public nstructionin
our country isworthy such an Institution: and that
the plan Of the American School Library, il exc
euted as it ought to be, deserves the encourage
ment Of all the legislatures of our States, and pa,
tronage Of all the schools and institutions Of learn
ing in our land, -,
Mr. BUTLER, in offering this resolution, said he
ventured to presume, that it expressed the senti-
ments Of the meeting in respect to that part Of the
design of the Society which related to the prepar-
alton Of a Common. School Library. '..."
Before noticing the points presented in the reso-
luton, he would congratulate the Chair, and every
Joverof knowledge and of our country, onthe fact
that in the: objects Of the present meeting-the.
promotion Of the great cause of General Education
la ground had been. discovered on. which persons
from all quarters of the Union and of every shade
Of political or religious sentiment, might meet and
act together; in spirit BETTING the character of
American citizens and patriots. However discor-,
dant or irreconcable our opinions on other. sub
tjects may be- aliagree in ttis--that knowledge
is indispensable to the preservation and usefulness
Of our Institutions and that it is the part Of wis
dom and of duty, by every means in QUE power,
TO extend its blessings to every corner Of the land.
The ground on which we are now assembled is,
therefore, not merely common, but. holy ground;
tits good to stand upon it the very atmosphereof
the place In which we meet, is pure, serene and
balmy--too much so for the existence of any feel
ings savethose of patriotic brotherhood. - . a.
That the meeting might understand what had
already been done by the. Society, towards the