Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1845-03-26


ing those to support this Institution, whose chill
dren are not educated here, or in other words,
taxing one portion of the community, for the
benefro Of another"
He says, ."rhis argument defeats itself, be-
cause if it nvais any thing against :he patron
age Of learning by the State, it is equally fatal
10 many other objects of great utility and value,
which depend for their existence OH the public
purse. From the nature Of things no indi-
vidual or class Of society can receive an lmme'
dale or direct advantage from every application
ofthe public revenue. If no expenditure was
allowed except those, the fruits Of which are
parlaken equally by all. it is evident that little
or ITO good comparatively could be effected by
the State" He says, that all classes are amply
compensated for their contributions 10 Col.
lege established By the Legislature in the moral
aid intellectual improvement OF the State at
large, and in the perfect assurance which is az
forded Of the promotion of regulated freedom
TO themselves. and of its transmission to sue
ceedng generations" Herefites another OBJ
lection, which is, that the cause of education,
would be best promoted, if taken from the
Legislature and entrusted TO the Judgment Of
the people. However properly disposed pri.
vate individuals may be, Mr.. P. says, they arc
unable to act with that concentration aud eff
cheney which the canse requires, and which
can be exerted only by the power ofthe State.
They might establish literary insli,u.
lions Of a minor character. and dependent
upon particular associations for their MAIN
tenance. but in vain would we look for a
college worthy Of The name. Through.
out the Union, all the colleges of the hi gH-
est grade and reputation, have been estab-
lished by the constituted authorities Of the
States in which they exist"
He dwells upon the great benefit which the
State has already derived from the College
He says. willis, advocating system of public
instruction. he is moi opposed to literary lnsti-
,utlons Of private character, hut directly the
reverse.
Estate patronage leaves ample room for
the operation oiprivate enterprise, whether
undertaken by associations or individuals,
and whether ii appear in the form Of Coll
Ieges or Schools. As many tributaries
unite TO constitute the great father of riv.
ers. so all the Seminaries OF learning CO.
Operate in Ibe general production of flood
flight. Then let Them all be sustained
10 The uttermost possible extent. Let The
Legislature andlh people vie with eacli
other in tkis exalted object Of patriotic EN-
ulalion, Lei Them feel, aud ac upon The
principle. tina, Iileraty institutions are
fountains of excellence, from which piety
and knowledge are constant issuing 10
regereralc society, and thai however they
may differ in quality or power, they still
move together, like conAucut streams. all
10 the general diffusion of in
telligence aud virtue, even as the stars.
however differing in brightness, contribute;
respectively. To the glory Of the armament.
Nor lei it bo supposed, ,l,asaitHadYoca- =.
ing public instruction, would ce6fne liz
10 the cultivation Of the mind alone. On
The contrary. The improvement Of The in-
ellcclual faculties, important as tits. ought
o be regarded as oul y secondary TO The
Improvement Of the moral. 1t is lamen-
able, in Christian community like ours;
aud in the enli !hlcned age in which we
i've. that any scheme Of education should
De pera4itted, which knows no religion,
,ul the ancient mythology. nor any code Of
,lhics, bu, the cruje philosophy of pagan
;ages. As it is much more important
hat men should be good than great, so
,ur youth should be carefully imbued with
he principles OF virtue. and not merely
qualified for The secular purposes Of life.
Mental accomplishments alone, afford no
security against individual, or popular cor
upton"
The last consideration that l shall
lrge, is The equally useful and ornamental
character Of learning. Who can estimate
he difference between civilization and saw
the refinement Of Eu-
'opean city, and the crepucular light Of
horde-between The American
naliou, as II now stands in all ils splendor
and its power, and the aboriginal inhabi-
Ian's Of this continent as they gazed with
wonder a, the appearance Of Columbus!
What is there great or good, elegant or
useful. for which mankind are nol indebted
10 The influence Of learning? 1t has roar
ed up cities, aud founded empires. II has
The earth, the sea, aud the air,
and subjected them all 10 the will of man.
1t has filled the earth not only with COM
forts, but with luxuries-nol only with
needless things, but with an endless vari-
sty of pleasures. l, has perfected, equally,
The ar, of war, and the arts of peace. II
regulates the movements of armies, and
controls the destinies Of nations. II navi.
gates The ocean, spans the cataract, and
reclaims the forest. 1t elevatcs vatlies,
and depresses hills. II Introduces nalions
to each other, and ilnparts TO all The pecu'
liar products and commodities of each. 1t
unfolds the mysteries Of nature, aud teach
es man to "look through nature up TO ma
lures God" II encbains The Lightning,
with The stars, and traces COM
etc i'm their fearful course. Ii subjects the