The Yazoo Whig and political register. (Yazoo City, Miss.) 1840-1842, 1842-04-15

termined on the battle field, by the conflicts
of opposing hosts; while right, and truth, and
justice are Interpreted and decided by slaugh-
ter, havoc and rapine; while the energies of
society, the wealth of nations, and the force
of governments are directed almost exclu-
sivey, to the devising and perfecting the
means for the destruction of the race and not
to is education, its refinement, it's moral and
Intellectual adVancement,-tot the illustration
of ruth and the exposition of error boast
as we may, impartial truth will pronounce
that, though reasoning man is not yet
perfectly rational being; that though less a
savage, he has not vet entirely passed beyond
the limits of a savage state. The destined
perfection of which he is susceptible, can
only be seen dimly figured in the far distant
and obscure vista of remotest time. 1t can
only be expected when the good and the
beautiful carnations of divine truth, occu-
plying the soul of man, the empire of reason
will reign supreme, and he shall be the mas
ter, not the slave of his appetites, propensi-
ties and passions.
For then, from long and profound cultva-
ton, knowledge being Immensely expanded
and strictly accurate, false opinions will rare
ly be formed-and error in the blaze of in
tellectual light, will scarcely find a spot
wherein to harbor. Let not this conjecture
be looked upon as wholly visionary. Though
the organization of man will always remain
as it is, yet, as knowledge is progressive and
capable of perfectability, and man is what
knowledge makes him, he is, through this
medium, susceptible of a state of social per-
lection, of moral and intellectual exaltation,
Of which it would be deemed wild enthu-
siasm to utter the thoughts that rise before
the Imagination. For moment let us en-
1on - 4
flow, if the enormous sums annually ex-
pended by the nations of the world in the
prosecution Of wars, the maintenance of ar
mics and fleets, the erection and support Of
foItresses, and and all the other means and
appliances of destructive warfare, were ap-
propriated to the cultivation of the mind, the
improvement of knowledge, the general diff
fusion of superior education, to the moral
advancement Of man;-what in the course of
few years would he be! Certainly no more
the creature he now is, than would be the
savage OF our wilds, could philosophic truth
be made to penetrate the darkness of his in
tellect.
All the arts and the sciences, the creations
of human genius, instigated by inluitive
tastes or instructive wants, exhibit the same
order of progression. Rude and indigested
in their origin, they tend towards or attain
perfection with different degrees of rapidity;
some advancing TO their complete develope-
ment, while others continue to struggle with
] difficulties that emba:rass their progress.
/ Education is too frequently, yet erroneous
| y supposed, is the impartng of knowledge
and schools and teachers are believed to be
the media of its communication;-the means
of its requirement. Let any one, however
reflect how little of the immense stores O
Ia 10 raJ ~
courses of instruction, and he must be salts
fed that such is not, cannot, and should no
be the exclusive or chief end of education
and should not be attempted. A higher anC
more important purpose is to be accomplish
led. The faculties of the understanding re
uuire, like all other faculties, for the devel
opement of their energies, an appropriat
training; each of them is to be invigorated-
the senses of perception, reason, memory
: iiudgment-by the exercises suited to each
and above all, the intellect should be disci
plned in those operations by which alon
Q it is enabled to acquire sound knowledge
: and is rendered capable of its noblest an
r greatest effort-the power TO distinguish an
: receive truth. These are the great purpose
/ to be aimed at in an education truly philC
l. sophlcal. 1t is not the mere possession
}. the senses and faculties of the mind, thu
/, confers on man the privilege of thinking,
n reasoning, of judging, Ofknowing: he mus
Is be instructed to employ them Alright; he r,
= CURES to be taught to think, to cali his inte
l. lect into action, to reason, 10 reflect,
r judge,--to know for himself.
4 The number Of mankind who thus act 10 sms
ID indeed. In the language of the PsaImist, it m,
Of be truly said Of them, eyes have they, but tn
at see noti they have ears, but they hear not
A. it may be added, with understandings, they unds
stand not.
The duty Of thought is almost universally aba
% donsd to few. The dicta, the phrases Of sor
y worshipped leader, not always the most merit
g. rious or deserving of confidence, and which a
" not often even cOmprehended, are implicitly ado
r ted by the multitude-are made the rule Of CO
% duct-the standard Of excellence-and anatheT
= scried upon all who pronounce not the shibole
- of a sec, -Or do not answer in the watchword
> contending factions and wrangling schools.
d The history of mankind presents a series of {
d lusions, that have ruled his intellect; that ha
,r made him slave to the passions, the prejudic'
i or the designs Of fewi that have stiAed kno'