Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1840-10-20

/
an article Of export from this Territory,
copper will soon find its way to some Of
the Atlantic cities. In mineral wealth, Wis
consn is probably unrivalcd: with the rich
est lead and copper mines in the world,
and their extent as yet but partially deve-
loped, together with a soil not excec ded in
fertility. What but industry and rrugality
are necessary to ensure the future compe-
tcncc of the people? Lead and copper are
not the only mineral with which this Ter
ritory abounds: gentleman learned in the
science of mineroogy who has made cx-
tcnsive OBJ crvati1ns in the Territory has
discovered number of beds of Iron ore Of
good quality: also many strong indications
Of the existence Of coal in various parts Of
the Territory.
Means Of acquiring Know1cdge. Every
village and neighborhood, has a greater
variety Of means within its reach for ac-
curing useful knowledge, than is common
Iy supposed. 1t is mistaken idea, which
prevails among most young men, thatthcy
cannot be learned, or obtain extensive
know ledge, without the aid Of acadcmical
schools and colleges. The history of man.
kind in every department Of life, proves
that an individual may be great, learned,
and wise, and yet never enjoy the benefit
Of being schooIed in the higher institutions
Of science. Historians, poets, philosophers
and divines, whose names are inscribed on
the page of Immortality, have risen from
humble obscurity, to the highest eminence
Of fame, by their own personal efforts -
The number Of self taught and self made
men in every profession of life, whose
fame will go down to the lates! age Of pos
terity; form bright constellation, in the
catalogue Of the great. This however
does not disprove the necessity Of literary
institutions, for the instruction Of those
who seek for scientific attainments the
requirement Of science, is attended with
far less labor and convenience by the aid
Of competent instructors than by the pro-
cess Of self teaching. Besides, were the |
interests Of literature left altogether to in
divdual eXertion; and our semnaries Of |
learning dispensed with; the world would |
rctrograde back 10 darkness and ignorance. |
That the means are within the reach Of |
all, to gain an eminent rank in the circles !
of science, is established conclusivolv from /
the history OF the past. No person is from
necessity, deprived from reaching a high |
order of intelligence: no young man is too |
poor TO become wise and learned: let him
but resolve never to minglc in low amuse-
ments, and in the pursuits Of those, who
seek for pleasure in vanity and idlencss:
let him studiously devote his leisure hours
to the attainment Of useful knowledge, and
seek his qualifications in intellectual pur-
suits; and he may not only obtain the keys
of knowledge, but derive Il pleasure I'M
known to vulgar minds. Studious habits
joined with perseverance and industry,
have raised many a one to distinguished |
emincnce, who never enjoyed the benefit
OF an academical, or collegiate education.
In every community and neghborhood,
invaluable resources of knowledge may be
secured by little effort, accompanied
with little expense. Where is the set
Element IN Wisconsin, composed of a do
zen families that has not the means Of es-
tablishing q small but we'll selected libra.
ry? Science and knowledge contained in
books, are emphaticaIIy cheap: few or no
persons are so limited in their pecunary
circumstances, that they cannot avail them
selves of the benefit of useful book. Know
ledge can be brought into every family with
a triaing expense. What pleasing change
in the intellectual aspect Of the Territory,
would soon be exhibited, were every set
Element Immediately TO establish q library
of useful books? Who can calculate the
amount of happiness that would result?
Who can estimate the social blessings; the
peace and the quietude that would follow?
Another means Of acquiring knowledge
which is within the reach of every neigh
borhood, is the formation Of lyceumS: the
benefits derived from associations of this