New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1843-10-10
sThe Scholars NlissIon.'

5aMLs B. SwAt1. %
'The Scholars NItSsIon.'
In no country, and at no time, can the Intlu
ence of the great body of educated men be 9
matter of slight importance. Whether recog
nized, as they are in some nations, as distinct
and organized class, enjoying peculiar lmmunf
ties, and performing definite duties IN the State
or scattered throughout the land and sustaining
only the relations and responsibilities of citizens
they make upon society, by their efforts, theil
teachings their very presence, strong ano
marked impression which cannot fail IN the course
of years to make itself universally felt. 10
greater or less extent they will always avail them
selves Of the enginery of public influence winch
they find in existence, or establish an agency OF
their own, for the PRONUNCIATION of their opinions
and the infusion of their spirit into the current OF
social life. This it is their duty to do: and
much of the wel-being of every society and OF
every state depends upon the extent the character
and the direction which this influence shall re-
ceive.
We are glad to believe that in our own country
the subject is assuming something of its true i'm
portance. AS a general thing we believe that
Scholars among us undcrrate their real influence
and fail to discharge all the duties they owe to
Society. But their attention is called to the sub
iect and their exertions are demanded by many
interests and many men. A need Of their service
is felt, and begins to make itself known, in those
departments where it is the most actual and press
ing. The various Professions, the Press, the Po-
litical world, the Commercial, Manufacturing and
Agricultural departments, all feel in greater or
less degree, the necessity Of ensting in theirpur
suits men of the best culture, the widest attain
ments, and the most thorough discipline in all that
becomes scholar and d useful man: and, in va
rious ways, does each of these bodies manifest its
sense of this need and call for its supply.
We have before us two Addresses upon this
subject, delivered on similar occasions, by men OF
eminence in political life and both members of
the same political party. The first is that Of Hon.
r. D. DAVIS Of this State, delivered before the
Literary Societies of Geneva College, and the
other is the Grafton pronounced by Rev. 0. A.
BRowNsoN of Massachusetts, before the Alumni
and other friends of the University of Vermont.
Both are upon the duties Of the American Schol-
mr. and, though they differ widely in the prin-
ciples upon which their respective doctrines rest
as in the ability by which they are severally
marked, they may well be reviewed. together as
different arguments upon the same important sub
ject.
Mr.. DAVIS, at the outset, assumes the ground
that in the arrangements of Society all Right
rests upon, and must be considered subordinate
to, Expediency. The only reason why the great
mass of the people permit young men to spend
their youth in acquiring knowledge and thus be-
coming superior to them he says, Is because 1t is
found to be best for Society that it should be so:
and the same reason is given tor the extreme IN
diligence granted by the mass to men who strive
to accumulate property for their own enjoyment.
. If it would be best, then itwoud be right says
Mr. Davis, to render all things into one COM
mon fund, from which all sho uld share alike. =
We reject this morality-utterly but shall not
stop to argueit Mr.. DAVIS proceeds to insist that
human happiness is the only proper end OF human
existence: that all government is formed for Its
promotion: and that it is the duty ofevery man
to do all In his power to advance the happiness OF
his fellows. The general good, by which MIR.
DAVIS means the general enjoyment, he regards
as the great object for which every individual Is
appointed, and permitted, by the mass who have
the power to live and labor.
The first recognition of this principle he as
cribes to our own Government. Education, here
tofore he insists, had been employed solely to build
up the fortunes, and increase the power of the few
by the greater degradation of the multitude: and
the institutions and modes of education which
were established in former times, aimed, he thinks,
and still tend to effect this object. They are,
therefore, in his judgement not well adapted to our
own country and our own age. Upon this sub
ject he says:
The institutions and modes of education OF ormsE Pc
RODS are not sufficiently favorable to the elevation aud adj
yancement Of the OF and 10 the diffusion among
them Of those blessings and advantages 70 whch the!
are Justly entitled. In age and country thus maste
requires the mos, enlightened consideration Our College
and of instruction, and the entire system OF ecu
cation need adaptation the times the spin; OF th
AGE 10 the genius Of the country They not be dpos
iares the obsolete and sentiments doctrines and
toms Of an,ecedeut but regeneraed and Teumne'
watchtower enghteu and direct the onward progress
of mankind They foster end nculcae the moral
aud manners and opinions which placed around The
prsced orders and abuses OF the earth but show IN thei
aeon and influence how thoroughly they paase and lee
the character and impulse of the day regard
the first da,y of the educated men OF America to conform
accommodate and apply institutions OF education III In
rrea, and Fundamental principles aud policy Of The country
% make them nurseries of American ,hoash feelings &C
tion and manners Il; and fair full aud flowing lountsms 10
freemen to drink FROM from generation to generation
Mr.. DAVIS thinks that it is the natural ten
dency of Education to run INTO those eselnsiv
and aristocratic tendencies which we are ooun
to resist and repress. The presumption OF tdu
cation and the arrogance of Attainment, we az