True American. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1835-18??, 1839-01-05

stan III no need Of the information Of these, who have
devoted their lives the art, pursuit in question:
And unlike Members OF Parliament, who only speak on
5 lljacts which they have thoroughly investigated 10
the exclusion OF almost all Others Members Of Con
gr"ss speak by the day, all alike. 1t makes no diff
ference whether the subject he of Finance, Com
MERGE Agriculture, Manufactured Navigation, Steam
Bouts. Steam Engines, Arts and Sciences, Foreign
Relations or Diplomacy-t matters not how abstruse
how varied or however extensive or comprehensive
the suj ect. Our members, from the North, South
East West, whoss education in most instances, com.
mences> with Greek and Latin i'll Colleges, and ends
with Law Books and Clients yet when in Congress
they silent, hen there is opportunity to
speak-let the subject Of debate be what it may.-Thcy
make or can and do make, long speeches every pos
sble subject under the And after having them
printed and sent home in pamphlet form to their dear
cons uehts. who, poor dupes imagine in wonder, like
the marvel Of the good people Of udsmiths deserted
village about their wise schoolmaster, how one small
head could carry so much!!
The passage Of the Steam Boa, Law, is evidence
Of The absence and destitu,ion Of practical knowledge
Indeed, the universal ignorance that prevails among
the people, respecting the Steam Engine, and the opc-
ration Of Steam. is truly surprising. We will venture
to assert that there is not 10 individuals in 1000
among travellers on Steam Boats, who give you of
hand, perfectly correct explanation ef the Steam En-
gne and the manner in which the steam is let on and
of, so 10 produce motion? Many Of them have a
vague notion about it but merely ask them to give
you brief diagram paper, Of its ac'ion which they
can do if thcv understand IT, and il they do it
Not only so hut they tell you the difference he.
tween a Low-Prcssnre En- ine and high one-between
one kind Of valves and annherl And what is more
doubt, whether there is half doz members Of Con
gress can tell yen any thing about the Steam
Engine than the mass ofthe people. The Ignorance
that every where prevails respecting the Steam En-.
CINE is truly amentable, only Of it hut Of most
branches Of useful knowledge
A gentleman Of wealth and UGH general intel
lpence, past 40 years of age, who had presided
with much ability as judge OF one OF the highc'
state courts, in.eniousy admitted to us, tina, he
never fully understood how steam acted upon The
engine to produce motion, until he bough, 4
steam engine for his own use. When he private
got the engineer engaged in putting it up, t" ex-
plain it to him, short time since. He said he hac
travelled on steam boats MS far back n, 90 years
tefnre, but had never learned the simple truth
He said his time of life, he fell ashamed to max.
inquiries Of engineers, and so let the matter pas
ill he became the owner Of an engine How man,
. people in the same situation! Both Congress
men and constituents! And it is not strange tina
should be 80 Ignorant with regard TO n machn,
OF such Importance! On the performance u
which, snch vas, interests depend! On which res
80 much life and property! Ahou, a machn
which as done much for the United Stairs a N.
especially for the West? 1t has built up in few
years, large cities, and inctea sed The price of lam
by untold millions, bv which. means the U, State
have derived immense revenues. 1t has pcople
. an empire, in new worlJ,-spread out smiling
farms,-and augmented in an untold ratio, til
p wealth. the luxury, the refinement and comfort
Of civilized life. And yet respecting the agen,
, all these vast blessings seem to be most fatal
+. ignorant.
The reason is obvious. We hire and pay teach
crs 10 instruct sons in Latin and Greek Blu
pay nothing TO have them learn or be instructe
| about steam engines; and other branches of use
full knowledge. The mechanical arts are despis
ed, while the knowledge Of Latin and Greek, an
the profession of law, physic and divinity are ez
tulled above all things.
Before we attempt 10 point out the dangers il
steam navigation we will first show the inu,i
Of the present steam boat law.
ITO be co,,tinued).