Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1841-04-21

dl1erence OF character, which Is so evident
among men, must be wholly attributed to study
and proper mental discipline. The influence
of education, and early habits, upon the taste,
judgement, understanding, and social affections,
is truly most powerful. By it, many of the de-
fects and even wants of nature are fully sup
piled, and the mind entirely new modelled
The worthless excresences of the mind are cut
of-its roug ghness smoothed and polished, and
all its obliquites strengthened. By education
the mind is quickened in its perceptions, and
made active In all its operations; it is tanned of
IFS rudeness, and cured of its many deformities
By the skillful hand Of mental cultivation, al
the characters of whole communities changed
This makes it all important that the right direc-
ton should be early given 10 the mind. Too
much care, wisdom, and prudence, cannot be ap-
piled to the minds ofthe young, in this particular
On this, very much depend the present pros
poets, and future happiness, not only of individ-
uals, but of the whole community, and even of
the generations that are to succeed US.
With the advantages of soil, and climate, that
are not surpassed any where. With territory
equal in extent 10 more than half all Europe.
With an increase OF population which adds TO our
numbers one third in every ten years With al
unexampled increase In property, wealth, and
Improvements. The contemplation of these
many advantages fills the mind with grand
thoughts of our future greatness, and power:
and urges upon US the most anxious solicitude
that our mental and intellectual improvement
should have corresponding progress.
Our political institutions are founded on prin-
ciples of bsnevolence and equal rights. They
are designed to promote the greatest good of
the greatest number. This equality of rights
and condition-this total absence of artificial
rank in life, gives an impulse to human effort,
and mental developement, that will ever COM
mand and secure the real and best talents of
the country. The fact that the avenues to hon.
or, distinction, and usefulness, are open to all,
should inspire every man with manly spirit
Of self-respect, and fill his bosom with lauda-
bic ambition to excel in enterprise, and moral
and intellectual excelencies These are the
great fountains from which all our peculiar
blessings and prosperity flow.
Mental culture, In the sense in which speak,
is not confined to school or college walls
Neither can it, or ought 1t be so restricted.
Education is abroad in the land 1t is seen
every where, and its halowed influences are
felt In every variety. Your society is but one
mode Of accomplishing its best of purposes.
In whatever form attempted it should lead to
habits of intellectual labor, and attentive think
ing. One great point in the acquisition of
knowledge, Is to discipline the mind to the
practise of method, and to the diligent improve
ment of time. The body as well as the mind
sh0uId he hahitu,tod I zr
ercise. Above all the morals should be strict
ly guarded, and virtue and religion should new
sr be lost sight of, let the mode of acquiring
knowledge be what it may. That close appli-
cation is necessary to progress in science, eve
ry scholar can well attest TO be we'll educa-
ted without rigid and severe application is not
probable, and in my judgment, is not possible.
You might with the same propriety look for
good mechanic without skill and practice in the
use of tools.
The literary character Of the country has
suffered by mere pre,ences to teach important
sciences IN few evening lectures You look
for the character of gentleman and scholar.
In loafer and idler--al think it disgrace to
be ignorant, or TO be esteemed SO, and many
seek the appearance and reputation of learning
and knowledge, without the labor and trouble
of acquiring either. This is delusion, and at
most can give but smauering of learning. 1t
may give some brllIiancy, but adds but little
that Is useful. The literary currency of such
an one, often reminds me of the beautiful notes
of bank. without any specie in its vaults
He takes upon himself, and puts out into circu-
latlon all the engagements of scholar, but re-
quires long postponement of the day OF re-
demption This mere show of learning NAV
serve for the gay and giddy amusements of the
fashionable circles, or for the atmosphere of
groghouse. 1t however only initiates the head
and heart with PRIDE and vanity, and keeps up,
In appearance merely, the dimensions of man
of science, while he wants all the soliditv
weight aud usefulness of we'll grounded knowl.
edge. Let me then assure each of you, that
diligence is the price which you must pay for
a mind well stored with useful knowledge, and
that, by proper degree of diligence, the rich
prize may be obtained by you all
Societies such as yours have one very deci-
ded advantage They necessarily tend to
proper division Of time in attention to business,