Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1842-12-23

and felt. Man will learn that there is nc
magic power, no virtue, no conservative prin'
ciple in the mere name or form of govern
ment Its efficacy must be derived from
another source,--lrom the mighty power o
truth, of letters, and of religion.
Other systems of Government may be pre-.
served and perpetuated as well, and perhaps
some even better, under the reign Of igno'
rance and superstition, than if the minds oil
people we're cultivated and stored with
knowledge. But not so with Republican
ism. Where the states arc divided and sub
divided, and political rights and privileges
are equally distributed and enjoyed, it is
very natural that strong excitement, border
ing upon violence, be produced among the
people. Whole communities are often thrown
into fierce commotion, and all the feelings
and passions of men are kindled, so that So
ciety seems shaken TO the very centre, during
the discussion of some agitatng question, or
the adjustment of conflicting interests.
Our only hope in such a state of things, is
in the overpowering influence of religious
sentiment, and an elevated style of letters.
In the efficacy of the former, we have much
confidence. Yet it is not sufficient Of itself
Ii must be clad in garments of knowledge ;
it must be equipped in weapons of art it
must be adorned with the refinement and
beauty of learning And when the day Of
decline in letters, in this country, shall come,
and the American citizen shall attempt to
exercise the privileges of the elective fran
chise, unguided by the light Of wisdom, and
ungoverned by the genial influence of sound
learning, we may rest assured, that all which
we now admire and love, and boast Of in our
political institutions, will be sacrificed to
promote the selfish purposes Of designing
men and aspiring demagogues. The bold
and daring spirit of our people, once eman-
cipated from the moral restraints Of wisdom,
intelligence and virtue; once set free from
that power of reason and understanding, that
springs only from a state Of high intellectual
culture, could no more be controlled than
the tornado that spreads ruin and devasta-
ton over the face of the earth. The diver
sites Of feeling, and the lamentations of
prejudice and antipathy, and the angry pas
sions Of hayward and selfish politicians,
would indeed become dangerous and terri
BILE.
In conclusion, then, if we would refute
Wv "SNi"i eSS VI o'hCi hdAiohS, lhdt
we have no literature of our own, or at least,
but stinted and despicable one if we
would elevate our intellectual standard, and
quicken the moral and mental energies of the
people to engage in the lofiier pursuits of
truth and letters; if we would lay founda-
ton, on which may be reared literary su-
that, like our political, in point
Of beauty, excellence and glory, shall equal,
IL not surpass, that Of every other nation
England herself not excepted if I'VE would
have the vital interests Of the nation presery-
ed and promoted. her happiness secured, and
political dignity sustained and cherished
and if we would earn the blessings and not
the curses of future generations, the appro-
baton, aud not the reproach of future trav-
ellers, then let the nation be blessed and |
adorned with National University
Yours, &c. l.. G. |