Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1844-03-14

mite towards the advanccinent OF our Society, and
to our encouragementnott q we7xy in well-doing.
The object wish TO effect By These articles, is
to persuade you 70 join mein the diligent use of
the means placed in our hands by the Lyceum of
tho town, aud the Society weshave organized to
improve and cul(1 Pour minds. Many distinc-
tons and grades u society have existed, and do
still exist la tho World. Great importance has
been attached to wealth, and high birth, and FAM
! lily reputation, &c-but experience and the little
! knowledge ! have gained from reading, have
taught me that, after all. the great distinction be-
tween man and his fellow is founded.i in tie posses-
sion OF knowledge. Indeed knowledge may be
said to be the foundation Of all solid and perma-
nent advancement, the main spring of all power,
and the source OF all true enjoyment. 1t must
therefore be linked in close connection with the
well-being of mankind, and consequently cannot
lie beyond their reach. IL is accessible TO all who
will seek it. Like the earth, il Will yield its fruits
to The hand Of any who will cultivate it,. In my
intercourse with my>felow men have frequent
ly observed common and dangerous error which,
exists among us working men. II is, that knowl-
edge is something which lies beyond our PROV
to be sought only by the student
IN the Academy or the University, or by the man
of leisure or fortune, who can pass his time in
the quiet walks of life and retire at any moment
into his library for reading and meditation. But
the httle history have read teaches that this
is AL false. For learn there that the wisest and
greatest men that have ever lived were self-edu-
cated men-men who labored to gain knowledge
under The most discoura2ing and unfavorabie cir
seemed 10 be excited 10 still
greater effort by the very difficulties they had 10
encounter, and who priced and enjoyed their
knowledge In proportion as they labored for it.
am not Capable &C q s-;aiag between the adj
.sataSeSO of coege an, scf-aecfs;r-,. Circa-'
ion. But this much can say froIn experiences
md common sense, that while the former may
make men learned in books and languages, it off
IN debars them from the knowledge of men and
hings, and that too at the only time of life when
klOWledue g. hp incd ffpph av
chuckled in my sleeve at the wan. of common
ense In those who wero said to be deeply verscd
n books and the languages, and AT their marked
nieriority 10 illiterate in the most important
PRACTICAL business of life. 1t may be weakness
md ignorance in me, but cannot help thinking
hat education the best and most useful for men
N general, and especially for working men like
Is, which joins in a studious and active life
Which brings mans reading and leaning in
% practical use. In such community as ours,
what kind of man would be most useful! Whom
you'd you go to as the most judicous adviser!--
Whom would you think likely TO be the most pros
'crous and happy! Would not he be the man
who adds TO some active employment which
yves him constant intercourse with his fellow
men, industrious habits OF reading, practical inc
meditation and study! Would il not
'e the man whose theoretical knowledge showed
tself in his practical judgment-who united
discriminating mind with energy of characters
Now. the object of our Society, if am not
,reaty mistaken, IS to aid us in acquiring this
IL
rave much to encourage us to persevere until we
iave gained useful, practical education. Here
We have every thing To stimulate us to industry
md eXerton. Books are now published at ye-
y cheap rate; our advantages in this respect are
infinitely greater than those who lived three or
our hundred years ago. Our very newspapers
lilord more food for the mind than many OF their
ibraries did. Here shall have Lectures deliv-
cred by able and scientific men, who--as we have
already seen-will shew the bearing of the most
profound truths of philosophy variocs dali
y employments-who will bring before our
minds subjects which we cannoti investigate in
books, and make them easy TO our comprehension
md practical use. Here have large and
well selected library, access to which may be
gained by any member of the Society. Here we
iave weekly newspaper, not only inviting our
perusal and imparting weekly ledge 10 us,
but also opening its columns and inviting us to
exercise our talent In imparling knowledge to
others. Here we are not engrosssd by BUSH
ness as to keep us in continual whirl, or absorb
~ eur time, ~ :1sk faot.l,iea-ia a-y .ya- SO
fs to debar as from some reading and study.
w hat then is wanting to make ours a commu-
nifty OF intelligent and educated working men p
w hat Is wanting TO elevate the standard of NOR
his and literature of the whole town Of Staunton1
olhing that can conceive but the ,ciH, tie reso-
ufion and Ute industry. Nothing but taste fog
Intellectual enjoymen!s fondness for idle
md frivolous, and corrupt company or unprofta-
he and dangerous amusements.,
Il Hard Worhing ,han.
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