Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1845-10-28

course MS one IS ignorant OF all matters, save
those connected with supplying his appelites, or
sheiterng himself from The incemencies OF The
weather. another is unaccustomed TO The usaees
OF civilized life sill practising The Gothic rude
hess inherited from his Rne6ucafed~ parents; an
other is living in abjec poverty, brought on ~ g-
norance oil The laws II domestic life, and domes-
nc economy, and The means OF acquiring a decent
support ana another IS an object that excies his
every sympathy, lvins in pain and with disease
that Is racklnS The system, from ignorance O! The
laws Of health, attributable 10 his want OF educa-
lion, and the proper information relative To The
material objects surrounding him, and The natural
laws under which he is placed. What chance
for enjoyment, what prospect Of social inter
course under this Stale of hings2 "What con-
cord hath the Temple OF God with an iGol9" it's
impossible, absolutely impossible, and totally OPP
posed 10 The rigid Laws OF mans nature. This is
one prolific source OF arslocralic principles and
practices; and thus The laws OF mans being,
being once interrupted and thrown out OF harmo-
ny, are The cause of a more permanent and lasting
interruption 10 those laws, and greater remove
from The simplicity Of Republican institutions and
features
Would you, VirSinians make every neishbor-
hood such as would afford pleasant society, every
spot suited Tor dwelling place of ENJOYMENT,
pleasure, comfort, and sweet social Intercourse
adOpt some general system ~ education, that will
ditIuse blessings on all the degraded sons and
daughters OF yonr own State, and that wonld
transform in one quarter OF century The whole
lace OF society. The grand and primary dis
tinctions among men and society are intelligence
and rrfW. There are MANY other secondary
distinctions, all the offspring OF these. These ne
yer can be removed-they are based in The nature
Of things. They are as lasting as Truth ITSELF
and will ever keep separated those possessing Them
and those destitute OF them. Al other dislinc-
lions are dependant upon crcumstances;-riches
exalt some, but riches lake 10 themselves wings
and fly away" then Dives becomes Lazarus.
Royal blood is royal blood. when lis actions com
port with lis royally-when il ceases 10 do this,
royalty becomes commonaliy.
All history proves, that The temple of Fame is
open 10 all, in accordance with mans nature
4 Peninax, Maximns and Macribus can attain
10 the highest honors Of State from obscurily
Of birlh-and oltenimes the more obscure The
birth, The more illuslrious the deeds, as was The
case in Doclesans reign. To educate and in
torn The people, is the way 10 elevation and eX-
allation. II people are 10 be made really and
substantially viiluous intelligence must pJeceGe -
Thus INTEL gence and virtue 90 hand in hand,
and The two together elevate man 10 his proper
position in the scale oil society. Wonld the peo-
pie OF Virginia have an intelligent and virtuous
Man, being from his nature a social being,
possessed OF certain feelings, affections and SEN
timenls, or, in chronological language, having
certain organs, these require cultivation. Hence,
in accordance with these principles, from Ibis
cultivation springs class OF the priest pleasures.
nearer akin 10 superhnman than any earthly en-
loymen and man finds delight in the company
oi and Intercourse with, his fellow man. Hence
arise social conversational meetings, and other
innocent parties, connected with domestic lie. II
the conversation and meeting are expected tC az
lord pleasure, the individuals must have certain
degree OF Information on the several topics dis
cnssed. There would be little pleasure in one
mans conversns with another abont The city OF
London, when the latter knows nothing more oil
London than that there was such place. Mere
questions and monosyllabical answers must be the
sum OF conversation.
No more can persons, altogether unlike in The
amount Of information possessed, or when one
knows something and the other nothing, carry on
conversation relative 10 any subject connected
with nature art or science. Persons differing i'll
the degree of information may converse proha-
biz, and with interest; bnt where one knows no.
thing of any subject, beyond The news Of his own
liltle circle, it is impossible or intelligent man
10 converse with him Tor any length Of time with
any degree Of pleasure. Suppose, for example,
Astronomy, or any philosophical subject, be ia
ken up or any thing connected with material OBJ
jecls, BY which We are surrounded, the technical
Terms in which all such topics must necessarily
be discussed, not being understood: il would be
like discussing grammatical question with one
who did not even know The alphabet.
No system OF general education, that is design
ed 10 give The rudimenls Of education only, am
aware could impar any knowledge OF SCIENCE
But when the elements, The mere ability 10 use
hooks, are put in the power OF The multitude,
there arc thousands who will with this assistance,
go far beyond This, and learn much, both of art
and science Give man of mechanical turn tools,
and he will use them in constructing some useful
articles. Give a man books and the power 10
use hem and he will make mighty advance
menis.
BY Withholding education from the mass, much
enjoyment is losl TO mankind, and society IS re-
tarded in it's improvement Tor all classes and
grades must often come in contact.
GULIEI.MUS.