Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1841-02-02
Jan. q. 1871.

LECTURE,
Delirerca Jy JrpGE HESRY ST. GEO. TICKER before
Tie Richmond Library association, .ionday Ecentng,
january 2.Mh 1871.
Gentlemen: In acceptng your invitation to deliver
the opening Lecture to the Library Association OF the
City of Richmond, have not been nsensblc to my
unfitness for the task which lies before me; and IT
had taken counsel from the whispers of prudence or
my aversion to public displays, rather than from my
disposition TO yield to your wishes, should certainly
have declined the fatterng honor. For though you
have left myself the selection Of topic for this ad-
dress yet the occasion requires II to bear some relation
TO your Associations and pursuits are so exclusively
professional as to disqualfy for expatiating any
snbec: of enlarged and liberal character. In
falling short, therefore, of your reasonable wishes,
shall hope for indulgence from your good wishes for
the success of your laudabie Institution.
Yes, gentlemen, II is worthy OF all commentator.
No one can look around upon assembly of young
men engaged in the laborious and ofentimes irksome
employments of commerce, aud see them associatng
for purposes Of mental Improvement without the deepest
interest and satisfaction To behold them quitting the
desk after the abors of the day. and instead Of resort
ing to the hauns of vice, wasting their youth IN
ideness and dissipation, assembling with view to IN
teectual cultivation very naturally gives rise to the
most animating hopes OF their future eminence and
usefulness The collection of appropriate Library
the provision for Of occasional and instructive
lectures by those who look with favor upon their efforts
and the to exercises IN literary compo-
si,ion and debate among themselves, understood to
be the ndicons objects of this Association. 1t IS not,
however my purpose to portray the saluary effects OF
such an institution, to trace the bright career OF
many youth who may lay the foundation OF future
greatness in these humble beginnings. shall prefer
TO point TO the predomnating influence which COM
merce must have upon the affairs of nations; to show
how vastly that influence increases and has increased
in the present state of favored land; to touch upon
the conseniay and intimate connection between the
freedom of commerce and the principles Of our Repub-
lcan institutions and from these considerations to in.
fer the great importance of enlGhtenng the
cal mind, that it may be better fitted TO discharge it's
high and important functions, and to promote the per-
manent prosperity and happiness of our common coun
try
To some perhaps, it may seem to be work of su-
pcreroeation this time of day, TO dcscan upon the
importance of commerce to every community, and lis
influence upon the prosperity and happiness OF the
world. And doubtless il cannot now be necessary to
prove these hackneycd truths. And yet am by no
means satisfied that all bring them home to our bo-
SONS ought, though incapable OF resisting
the evidences of history the force Of reasoning which
may be brought to prove them rather fear tina, there
IS disposition with To withhold from commerce
and commercial their due weight and Importance
in the affairs of nations Even the great Napoleon, in
a fit of vexaton and spleen spoke contemptuously of
England Us a nation of shopkeepers. He very well
knew that they did not merit his sheer, but there
many doubt not who associate with commercial pur-
suits little more than the measuring of ribbon, or the
selling Of tape To such it may be of service TO look
little deeper into things and those who have read
oil lie rlumphS OF commerce. anu eAuiteu VI us Sioes
may not listen with disdanful to brief notice OF
what to them, is already familiar. 1t will lose no more
by repetition than the story the Revolution or the re-
cita of the weremembered beauties of favorte bard
The political economist doubtless with great propri
ety. places agriculture at the foundation Of the wealth
and resources Of nations in motion all other
labor, and furnishes to all their necessary amen II
produces the natcriu for the uacturer the freight
for the shp-owner and the product for transportation
to the merchant But though agriculture may thus be
the massey Tuscan which forms the basis of the great
structure Of society," and though the mechanic may
constitute the substantial Doric, Commerce will be
found to be the Corinthian pillar, whose rich and
graceful capital adorns the whole. / am we'll aware
that expose myself by this remark, to the grave re-
buke indignant scott of the admirers of Mr. Burke,
who looked upon nobility as the true Corinhan capt.
tai in the great edce of the British society But in
America we have learned to estimate aud institu-
TONS according to the false prejudces
but according to their utility and capacity for advanc-
ing the comfort and prosperity of mankind and thus
accomplishing the bencen purposes of that great be-
ing who designed all for the happiness of each other