The Yazoo Democrat. (Yazoo City, Miss.) 1844-18??, 1845-08-06
THE DIFFUSION OFKNOWLEDGE


KNOWLEDGE among the people can he devised d,
the preservation OF freedom and happiness
THos. y EFFERsoN.
Il is fact to which tOomuch importance
cannot be attached, that in a governmsp,
like ours when the people are the arbiter,
Of their own destiny, and where rcOnGeder.
acies Of kings, mobiles and privileged ma.
hobs are not established to oppressl them
that the liberal diffusion Of knowledge is
the only true source of real greatness and,
prosperity-and in republican governments
the responsibility resting upon the people
is far greater than where kingly authority
prevails, for ifthey failto exercise the priv.
ilege, which as feemen they possess, Of
encouraging the march of science, sowing
the seeds Of learning, and elevating the
the standard Of knowledge and morality.
their neglect is used as evidence in support
of the doctrine of those who deny the ca.
Pacity of the people to establish audmain-
tain a system of government conducive to
the general welfare-and plausible pre-.
text will be afforded kings for contendinq
their rights are "divine." We therefore
assume that when a people establishs
free and independent government their first,
their highest aim should be toprovide means
for the widespread dissemination ofknowl.
edge, and the propagation of sound and
correct principles-that they should adopt
the most effective measures to dispel igno.
rance and promote the cause of learning,
Unless this enlightened policy be adopted
permanent and enduring foundation for the
glory and grandeur Of a nation cannot be
laid. Were proof necessary to establish
act so evident, we might refer to the ma.
ions Of antiquity which once Aourished in
III the majesty of power and grandeur, and
afer attracting for period the attention
md admiration of the world, passed away
o be numbered among the "things that
vere," leaving nothing but the melancholy
wreck of their former glory. Such has
'een, and must forever be the destiny Of
ations which rely for permanency upon
Their than the intelligence of the people
low regardless then of their own interest,
nd blinded to their welfare are nations
7hich neglect to establish systems of POP
LAR EDUCATION Toa neglect SO gross.
: wrong should be attributed much of the
ad fortune that attends their career. To
eep the people in ignorance has been the
1deavour Of kings, and their avorites
have been organized, for
icy know when the sun-beams of knowl-
lge are shed abroad, and men learn to
'preciate the high sphere they were des-
ned to occupy by their Creator--they will
sdain to wear the letters of tyranRy-and
ok with horror upon the trappings Of roy
y. Then, ifthe people ofAmerica wish
lay solid foundation for their future sta.
lily and happiness letthem profit by the
they possess of establishing in
tutions of learning where the succeeding
d present generations may drink deep of
) fount Of knowledge, and imbibe lessons
justice, virtue and intelligence. They
cupy high and elevated position, in the
lle of nations and in the estimation of
} world, and it should be their aim to con-
ue in their onward career Of. greatness.
lie friends of freedom throughout the
rid look to the temple of American lib
y with pride and hope, and no means
'uld be left unused to preserve it unim-
red. And While their ships of CON-
rec traverse every sea, their exploits of
OF linger on every tongue. and wealth
] plenty reward the tolls of industry, they
'uld kindle the fires of learning free to
SO that their rays may beam upon the
hottest climes of the earth-and serve as
icon lights to all who grOvel in darkness
superstition, In the promotion of
icy so wise and Philanthropic, the peo-
of Mississippi should take a prominent
ition. They should not be behind their
ihren of the sister States. We possess
ry advantage which is given to them
them besfow tbs;r ,ttsnt;os, ,,So, The