Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1845-09-25

and lose forever the influence which they bring
upon their offspring How truly has il been
said that "the education Of males Is thrown AWAY
If the unholy lips Of Ignorant, degraded and i'm.
pure mothers breathe their moral contamination
on the infant mind" The individuals who com
pose the fountains Of public action must be pure.
II we desire the stream Of our civil and political
progress to be calm and healthful. The soul of
republics is intelligent virtue; when this departs
the form OF republican government may remain,
but i,s liberty breathing influence is gone.
We call upon our fellow-ci,izens to consider
these suggestions. Every man has influence in
the circle OF society in which he moves let that
influence be exerted to the utmost. We invoke
the aid Of the Reverend Clergy. What a noble
theme for the pulpit! What noble aim to
awaken In fellow man the consciousness of his
powers! What bright achievement to give to
thousands the capacity TO exercise those powers
Tor their own Improvement and the advantage Of
their country How glorious to lead them on
ward TO the accomplishment of their own intel
lectual and moral destiny!
We CALI upon the press-the powerful enuiue of
liberty, and the handmade of science-to lend MS
It's thousand tongues to reach the hearts of the
peoPle.-Who will not give his hand and his
heart to this great undertaking! Who will not
aid In opening the doors of science, that those
who are not shut out from all that's best and
dearest on earth, may enter her noble portals and
boldly assert their own humanity We must
tear down the gloomy flag of ignorance and run
up the bright banner Of knowledge, the emblem
OF peace on earth and good will to all mankind
| Who will not aid in heralding the dawn of a
brighter and happier day of Virginia, when she
shall WELD the developed energies of all her chill
dren, happy in their prosperity and virtue, for
m'uao'e IN power and commanding respect and
admiration!
There is no maxim more true than that know.
ledge is power. In Republican Government.
them where the people are sovereign, how essen
'ial is 1t that they should possess the knowledge
which always gives TO its possessor proper as.
cendancy! Republican Governments are based
upon the principle that the people are capable of
sen'goVerhmen'. But the ignorant cannot con.
Io themselves, and are unfit to govern others.
While they continue debased by ignorance, thew
are but the instruments of intriguing politicians
ana designing demagogues. From the peculiar
organization oil mind, it must advance or retro.
grade' It cannot be stationary and the government
whose foundation is laid in ignorance, must lose
It's influence; Its power, its glory, sink low
er ana lower In the scale of nations, until moth
ing is lett but It's ancient fame and the shadow
OF It's former greatness, deepening by contrast
'ne shame oil It's degeneracy. Here, then, is a
cholce Tor Inc people,-ignorance or intelligence
Ight or enthusiastically or deformty, power or
MISREPRESENTATION or degradation and decay.
something must be- done speedily, 10 arrest the
o'ate In her downhill course. new spirit must
arouse the energy of Virginia-a new movement
must urge her onward and upward. That spirit
must come from her people and breathe through
her councils. That spirit must speak with an
eioquence appealing to every hope, to every fear,
to every interest Of life, melting to action, and
warning of danger.
We are deeply impressed, Felow-Citizens,
win the difficulties with which we are surround
Onr tar 10
that much Of ii is mountainous and rugged; our
population, In many parts of the State is widely
scattered That our estates are large, our streams
unorldged, our roads bad-and perhaps, what is
worse than all, the funds at the disposal of the
State are inadequate. The greater the difficult
ties the greater the triumph if we overcome them,
the greater the necessity for deIiberation and
tor concert of action.
Inc meeting, of which we are the organs, have
recommended that Convention of the wise and
the good, from every part of the State, should be
assembled to take this subject into consideration.
we invoke the aid of every intelligent mind to
urge upon the people tho importance of appoint
ing delegates TO that Convention; to aid, too, in
rouslng the Legislature TO a full contemplation of
our wants, and to the adoption of some system
worthy OF Virginia. liza Convention IS assem-
bed, we hope it will be composed of men able
and willing to assist in the regeneration of the
state; not the droDes of the hive--but the la
POROUS, the thinking, acting, energetic men, who
Know that when they have the will, there is al
ways way to accomplish good and wise under
takIngs. Let the people manifest to the Legisa-
ture that they are In earnest, and the Legislature
Will be in earnest too. Then we shall have ac-
lions, instead of words-actions worthy the law
glvers OF State, whose star once in the as
cendant, and though now partially obscured, is
destined, we hope, 10 shine again with renovated
splendor
GEORGE w. MUNFoRD, WIN. H. MAcFARLAND,
IHo's NELSON, Nj. d., CHARLES F. OSBORNE,
PETER v DANIEL, Jr, Henry l.. BROOKE,
H. H. DANIEL, JAMES f. HEATH,
THOMAS Ii. ELLIS, Benz. y. MINOR,
| GUsTAyUs A. MYERS, RICHARD b. GoocH
JAMES A. CowARDIN.
"THE OLD DEFENDERS.n