Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1839-10-17

Ut Walls :" sbSiSty III tHC CH'tV''
States are Ola peculiar character. The
youth of our country enler into tie active
business of life at much earlier age than
ia almost any other: it is, therefore, in
dispensable that their faculties should be
developed aud strengthened al the earliest
season practicable. 1t is natural for man.
as soon as soon us his natural wants are
satisfied, 10 seek for wisdom and knowl
edge. Our political welfare, the we'll
being Gt the masses of which society Is
composed. so materially and essentially
depends upon the universal diffusion OF
intelligence, that it would seem to be the
FIRST dutvo of Government, indeed the only
tes, of true Government, 10 encourage
age general system of education. knowl-
edge is the only true conservative prlnci-
pie of this Government. We have so
manv examples before us in the world, of
an ignorant people becoming the abjecl
slaves Of superstition and tyranny,it it would
seem to be The paramount duty of every
American citizen 10 put in requisl'lnn eve
~ possible means that can Iand 10 elevate,
universally, The intellectual and moral
character of our people. have no fears
whatever respecting government OF The
people, provided they are well informed; I;
bu, | consider deSpmism ofignorance the
most appalling that could disgrace the earth.
No reasonable apprehension ever need be
entertained Of the subvrrson Of our hber-
ties and privileges, provided The great
body ofIhe people can he enlightened by
proper system of instruction Our
Government, was the first successful effort
TO establish rational freedom upon the
face Of the earth. no other spot upon
the habi,able globe now remains where
second effort could he made (should ours
fail, with the least hope OF success. But
our obligations end not here. We have
reused the nations of Europe with our won
derfuI improvements in the science OF self
government. And is this all-is our duty
done, ,hatuiue out of ten Of US take as
Gtle pains in improving our minds. las
If wisdom gre,o upon republicans, upon
Americans, like fruit upon the trees; or as
If we were wise by instinct, like The beasls
aud birds 2" Is il well for US "to boast
Of our skill in steering the vessel of state
across the sea Of self-governmen,, when
we will not study the avigalion of our
own little bark along the rarrow streams
of common life :" Is i, nolhing that be
tween one and Iwo millions os free white
children in the United States are growing
up in snurance and consequent crime J.
We make provision for the necessities Of
the poor, 80 far as food and ralmenl Is
concerned; bul is it a duty ITO Salty the
hunger Of the body, and leave the mind
10 slarve?" Do we no: Know that most
Of the criminals of our country, are those
who are destitute of useful knowledge =
Colquhoun, the efficient investigator OF
the police of Londnu, observes: In my
opinion, there is too little exerlon used in
preventing the propagation aud growth OF
crimes, and too much exerli0n used i'll
Furnishing them when they arrive at ma
turty." Another forcible writer remarks:
ITO suffer the lower orders Of the people
to he lI-educated, and then TO punish them
for crimes which have originated in had
habits. has loo much the appearance Of
creating delinquenIs. for the purpose of
putting them To DEATH" As has been
well observed, the question Tor The slate
10 settle is, whether it will pay a moderate
sum for the instruction ofits cilizens, or
far greater amount in money, and suffer-
ing, anil blood, poverty and crime; wheth-
er it will dry up the sources Of wrelched-
ness aud vice, or whether it will wait for
the accumulating torrents to which they
give rise; whether it will increase the
duties of the Judge, The sheriff, aud he
executiuue-, for securing The public safe
ty, rather than encourage the schoolmas-
Ter; whether it will unseal the fountains
of knowledge; or leave the ignorant, the
depressed, 10 The para vsing influence oil
the uncullivated, sluggish. and narrow
minded, and allow vice aud error to with
er, blast and destroy. aud The intellect to
stagnale into despair.
In this counlry the mass Of the people
are The rulers of the land-they select the
lawmakers and The law-exeruiors; they
have the dir" ciion and control Of those in
slitu'ions on which life, liberty, and The
pursui, of happiness" chiefly depend
Should they not be furnished, universally,
with the knowledge necessary 10 guide
them in their responsible duties? Thai
there are heads and hearts in our land
perishiag for lack of knowledge, will nol
he denied. Why, then, this unpardonable
indnience-this iaexcusablc slothfnIness.
upon question Of such paramount i'm
pouauce! The impossible ranparls 10
our liberties and Tree institutions, mast he
composed Of intelligent heads and snuud
hearts. Our pauopy. in peace or war,
must be the hcaving bosoms and vigorous
arms enlightened and virtnous freemen.
Shall we not, then. afford to all. especially
to the isaurant. lha poor, the destitute,
the means ut our cammand-the only
means, perhaps. by which thew can ac.
quire knowledge? Who are The first TO
be benefited } The children of c,rm.ro