Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1840-12-24
For the Gazette.
THE UTILITY OF ASSOCIATIONS

THE UTILITY OF ASSOCIATIONS.
ssKnowlejge. when only the possession Of few.
has always been turned 10 iniquitoos purposes
It's a trite remark. but no less true, that "mar
is social being The laws of creative wisdom
having made men mutually dependent on each
other lay them under strong obligations 10 reader
each other mutual-seryice No man can exist and
enjoy life perfectly independent OF his neighbours
No community. body Of men, or nation, can obtain
or long possess Importance power without aa;ual
national aud international exchanges individuals
NAV conceive and prompt 10 action, but the in.
diyiduality is merged in the social principle and
aImos, every important enterprise is carried through
or attempted by party, society, or an associ
ation This is an age OF associations, and The spirit
OF them is public spirit Of which for peculiar
to itself has country become the foremost leader
and representative. Our associations, from the
Federal compact to the least of organised bodies
have overcome all obstacles, removed all barriers,
Given weight 10 opinion, effect TO effort, and exhibit
I'd TO the wcrld what had long been dreamed Of "a
golden theory too pure for the present fallen cen.
dition or mankind, the social prnciple triumphant
And in nothing has the enterprise Of the age exhib.
tied itself more sgnally than III lis grand invest
men;s for the osensibe education OF all classes Of
society Most of the benevoience OF the age is di.
rccted 10 the improvement Of our fellows by the dif.
fusion OF knowledge.
Our unriyalled system Of common schools cur
academies colleges athenenms, library associations
Iyceums and their various branches. stand as out.
seutiueIs on the bulwark OF liberty, sending forth
the winged messengers o. o'n-the oresd Oh des'
pots, but the sure defence anu g,org " our haion.
Know ledge has become the life-bood Of our lber.
t,es: for nation TO be free must be enlightened
hence we behold The various institutions and yoiua
tary associations branch banks OF tue general sys
tem-springng up IN almost every town aud village
in our land. In these associations we behold the
feep.read in science, the ambassador OF the Most
High the profound iu ethics aud jurisprudence, all
exefting themselves for the same generous OBJECT
imparting and receiving instruction Here are dis.
] l,ra Ityh0 rfo mt m nd dta
al interest to local or state policy. Here. too, 10
the school of the tyro politician, where are heard
The srst rumblngs of that eoquence which is desu-
ed 10 raise him high in fame OF authority. How
any giant intellects have arisen through the agen.
90 ii associations from the most obscure pursuits
yea from the work shop and the anvil TO adorn the
highest stations in societyto illumine the bright.
esG mage of our nations history--wbose names will
he handed down TO the latest posterity benefac-
-, - ,na,kiad While for the want Of such iusti.
,,,,io,s he which they might mutually assist each
otbrr bv active co operation how many of the sons
of oenins have been lost TO themselves and lost 10
~ ,yorIa who might have taken their place by the
III. ~ E;nos. and looked down upon princes
II s,nnort OF these facts we have but 10 look at
the stale Of society during the middle ages, when
H. r,;saom and learning of the preceediue genera.
lions were sealed from The people, and every thing
a. literary or scientific nature seemed banished
rror, The world A spiritual despotism was es-
,ahIisbed and on the affairs of an unholy presthoc
man sacrificed the noblest powers Of his nature
For while the powers Of mind seemed dormant I;
h;aotry seemed 10 dazzle its vision and arbitrary
mower TO cripple its energies but the one could
>. hind nor the other destroy it but when pro-
sol ed bevon1 longer endurance, in the sixteenth
century il arose from its sleep of ages, and bearing
he fore j, the yesal fame Of truth gradually expos
ed The corruption Of rulers and dispelled the dark
ness which had gathered thick and long. MIND
nory became Acquainted with its own powers, ga
,hered weapons by its own strength, and achieved
Immortal tr,nmphs Civil and religious associations
we're AGAIN re nstated A little learning was no
longer a dangerous thing. knowledge became
-, ~ nobility passport 10 the favor of Kings
The spirit Of inquiry drew from The closter its slum-
berng talents the sensual and dissipa'ed noble from
his banquets, the peasant from his humble content
ment, and by appealing TO the ambition ihe enlhu'