Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1841-11-11
MIR. BRUCE,S ADDRESS
To IA, .iun.ni and Graduating Class Of ihe UEirsr
Siiy Of North Carolina.


We are indebted to a friend al Chapel Hill, for n
copy the Address delivered by James Bruce, Esq.
OF Halifax, Virginia, before the Alumni and Ora
dua;ns Glass OF the University OF North Carolina,
At the last commencement
We have rarely been more gratihed than with a
peTusai Of this address. Ii IS chase and beautiful
production, abouRiDg with strong and original
views OF the subjects on which the author treats.
There is ore portion which we think peculiarly
suits this portion OF our country and Tor the benefit
OF the dreamy ahsiractiOnIsts, tor which Virginia IS
so Inluunusly famed, We extract It.
Speaking OF the spirit ot Improvement which now
anmalcs the whole civil Zed world, Mr. Bruce SAYS:
That par Of the United States, gentlemen, which
we Inhabrt, needs awakening. The South Is too SUI
pine. While the North and the Yves, are pursuing
with visor the path Shich their high destiny is poat-
ing out TO them, and woolng every breeze which
may watt them EDWARDS, we have cast anchor and
! are amusing ourselves with conJurins up phantoms
OF a past age discussing the principles OF depart.
ed race OF politicians and idly Ia king OF bringing
back the Government 10 its old republican track
as 1t any Government cid ever can 90 back
wards. The political institutions of a country,
may be wrecked on the rocks OF faction, or cnsulph-
ed IN a vortex Of eiemlnacy or vice-may fall from
too much weakness or too much woghl-yet II IS
certain, that no nation was ever rescued from n
danger before It, 10y an attempt TO recede, OF ever
found grave near the spot where II was rocked IN
It's cradle. II Is high time that the South was civ.
| ing up us old prCludces and sntlquaed modes OF
/
ito a departed age, and bind together the living
and the dead. Our ancestors used the lights OF
their age, why 81 oud reject the brighter ones of
our own They ran ahead OF their times, why
should We lag behind ourSl They were dIssaIis-
ned with their condition, and improved II, let us do
likewise. They were wise in their generation, let
US be wise in We should initiate, but not ape
our fathers. Ii is not much their Improvements
that we should adopt, as their spirit OF improve
M NJ; not much their thoughts, their modes
ia. ~
Of Legislative bodies, and their position is one OF
great power, and great responsibility. IL Is TO be
hoped that they will give impulse 10 that spirit
IN North Carolina and Virginia, which IS efiecting
such wonders IN other parts OF our country. They
must have strangely forgotten the early lessons Of
their youth, It they do not war on the ignorance OF
the land, ald cherish that greatest Of all systems Of
internal Improvement, which takes under IT'S charge,
the heads and hearts OF the people. The claims OF
the poor, who stretching forth their hands for
what IS far more valuable than bread no longer
be safely disregarded. 10 Despotsm, the youth
tu, heir 10 the throne is carefully educated; put
under the charge of the wlsest and best men Of The
nation, who flI his tender mind with lessons OF pc.
L!csl wisdom, and lnsu into his heart the precepts
Of virtue and religion. The children Of America
are us future soveTelgns It's destiny will soon be in
their keeping, and yet We are content TO place no
restraint their vices, and give no Illumination TO
their minds. The parent who refuses 10 his child
the advantages Of education, Is justly looked on
a monster OF folly or wickedneSs, and often by the
very men who refuse all legislative aid 10 the cause
Of popular education.
We read with horror, OF the descent ofthe savage
hordes OF Go:hs and VanduIs on the fair plains OF
France and Italy, OyGrturnng IN their wI.d career,
all the boosted monuments OF Roman civilization,
and prosirating 10 the dust whatever OF law, relI
gIon, and learning, there remained Of past age.
We, Istrue. have no such enemies hanging on our
frontiers, but let our population become dense and
crowded as IL muslin short Time, and LEI con.
unJe 70 neglect as we have done, TINT cheap de
fence Of nations popular education, and we shall
have barUdrIans 20 encounter, as ignorant, as law
less, and savage, the great northern hive ever
sent forth, on an expedition OF rapIne and plumber
Our pOpu'ous towLs, viii empty the hithy con.
tents Of their streets and ceiers, our ballot box
Is. The charter which now secures our property
from entertainment, and our persons from violation
vii. be invaded, and our beautiful system OF order
justice, and equal rights, will fall into ruin, to es-
cape from which we will embrace despOsm in tes.
pair and thus rival the mUecIty OF the fool, who
90 the confusion Of sinking snip, seized an an
Choir, that he might ride IN safety 10 the shore We
should make timely provision against buch ca
Iamity. safe and easy mode Of escape ss open
before Us. Educate the rising generation, and all
vii lie well. Here case m which On engh'en-
ed seii-oye pleads tie cause Of philanthropy. Not
only charity, but p'cUnlaTy Interest Impes US. To
educate the poor Is % convert idle consumers into
active producers, and have not doubt, but IN the
long run, besides adding 20 the taxable wealth Of
the State, that t would the full cost, IN drain.
ished appro pratOns under our present system Of
poor laws. The well educated are nre'y poor
enough TO solicit the bounty of the SAtc, the char
iiy Of individuals. LIT Us then, gentlemen, here in
the presence OF our lima Mater, under the eyes Of
QUO ID instructors, and 10 tn face Of this arge and
responsible audience, resolve, each within the
sphere IN which his DESTINY may be cast, 20 exert
every power Of his mind and an the influence Of his
station whether public Or private, - extend the
blessings Of education, 70 cvCry tenant, Of every
hamlet, within our borders. Then W. will bear
some resemblance 70 the picture which our vanity
hos drawn, 1nJ be indeed and n uu'h, the most en-
ghtene5, the most powerful, sna the best governed
poop L., on the face Of the earth