American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1844-12-03

Mn. GRGELEY's ADDRESS BEFORE THE LITE
RARy SOCIETIES or HAMILTON COLLEGE,
The subject of this address is, "Ihe Discipline
and Duties of Scholars" Mr.. Greeley has
discussed his subject with much ability and at
great length. He starts with the TRUTH that
physical discipline is necessary to mental cul-
ture-that healthy body is indispensable to a
sound mud-he would therefore connect ma
nual labor with our systems of education. In
the examination OF this point he is able and
conVincing-and, indeed the position is incon-
trovertiblo, being in perfect accordance with
nature. Physical labor is indispensable to
healthy condition of the mind; and we Therefore
approve the suggestion Of Mr.. Greeley, (and
which has been adop ed i'll some scminaues OF
education,( that portion of the students
time should DC devoted to such manual labor
as will fully develope his physical powers to
the greatest advantage. Bot then labol is con-
sidered dsreputable; and it is difficult i'll the
present state of public opinion, to convince a
parent that to combine manual labor with
mental instruction, would not degrade his son,
and throw him out Of the pale OF respectable
society: his health, and probably his life, is
therefore sacrificed to this mistaken notion
On this point we make the following quota
tons from the address, and commend them to
the serious attention Of the reader.
"The truth is that the fatal evil of pec,tniary
! =, ,l, h.rt hpS,.
who hold the responsible position of directors
of the highest education of our youth. A Pres
ident or Professor who should frankly tell the
parents of protfered student that their son
mipht make an excellent blacksmith or carpen-
ter, but would neither be eminent nor happy
at the bar nor in the pulpit, would probably in
cur resentment and a withdrawal of patronage
and vet how often ought such truth to be
frankly, kindly told. 1t would frequently save
much waste of energies and means, much wearl-
ness and heart ache. The true, though rugged
man who has nobly gathered competence by
following the pillow, would feel offended if as
sured that his son was so fit for no other voca-
ton as that of u farmer-though that were a
genuine tribute of respect to the dignity OF the
vocation, and the honest worth Of the youth.
owe are here confronted by the low idea
which everywhere prevails OF the true rank OF
useful manual totl-by none so cherished, as
by those who themselves toll, except by the
empty dcmagogue who windy babies in bar
rooms Of the rights and dignity Of Labor, hoping
thereby the means of avoiding Labor. The
farmer will not feel gratiied, though he should,
if assured that he can give his son no filter, no
better calling than his own; the hope of the
family must be trained TO the chcanery of Law
or the futihtv of Medicine in order that he may
duly honor his kindred, though he may he re-
luctant to enter, or at best have manifested no
genius OF taste for the calling thrust upon him.
This is III the true spirit OF the llliterare farmer
who insisted on having sermon in Greek, on
the ground that he paid the clergyman for the
best, and would have it, Thus our higher
Education becomes a bed of Procrustes-excel-
lent for the few whom Nature has just adapted
to it-but very different affair for all beside.
We shall learn yet to study the unfolding ge-
MUS of the youth-to be guided by this rather
than attempt to override it-and to leave to
the directors of Education larger discretion
in the premises than they have usually hith-
erto enjoyed
A large portion Of the address is devoted to
the consideration of the subject of free trade,
and of the advantages of Industrial Associa