The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1845-08-23
A N APP e A Il
AN APP E A IL
FOR
THE CAUSE OF EDU C TIoN N.
"Make a crusade against ignorance. e."-Jeferson.
NO. l.
To THE PEOPLE OF OHIO:

NO. l.
To THE PEOPLE OF OHIO;
| speak of things which concern you
all, both rich and poor, OF whatever
party, or sect, or class OF men, you
NAV chance to be. Yet if any man,
having the birthright of an American
citizen, can refuse attention to those
things upon which depend the cont'n-
ued life and the increasing greatness
and glory Of the Republic, speak not
to him. Or if any one has 50 narrow
a heart. within his breast, as to care
nothing for the progress of human hap
speak not to him. Or if any
one prefers that which is sordid, selfish,
and base, TO things which are noble,
and generous, and good,-l speak not
to him.
But there are those moved by pure
impuIses. who love the Republic, who
svmpa,hize with their fellows, and
whose desire it is to perform their duty
both as men and citizens. 10 such
can freely speak. being confident that
thew will not Judge unkindly Ofme or OF
what | say, so long as my intent is
plainly good, and do not exceed that
measure ofspeech which is very tree
mans inalienable right.
Definitions.
Men were but brutes without the
noble attributes which belong to the
human MIND. 1t is the mind which,
with life Immortal, will return to the
God who gave ii, while the body shall
be mingled again with the worthless
dust whereof it is fashioned. 1t is the
mind which acts. Mans thoughts and
memories, his love and hates, his hopes
and fears, his pleasures and pains, al
reside in the mind and well, therefore
is it said,
"Tis the great art of life to manage well
The restless mind"
The term EDUCATION, in 1T
widest sense, includes the culture botl
of body and mind. The body is th'
earthly tenement of the mind, and 1t
proper growth and health, and its ut
ness for the mind uses are essential t'
earthly felicity. "a sound mind in
sound body," said John Locke, us
short but full description ola happ!
state in this world"
But when Education is named II
common speech, it is more especial
the culture of the mind which is meant
| In most cases, it is the minds earles
culture which determines its destiny
therefore, that culture, which is mos
properly called Education, is bestow
ed upon the minds of the young.
The Subject Proposed.
81 think may say" said JOHN LOCKE
"of all men we meet with, nine part
of ten are what they are, good or evil
useful or not, by their Education."-
.THE REFORMING CT EDUCA
TION," said John Milton, sis one c
the greatest and noblest designs tina
can be thought on.'' My purpose, i
these papers which | now begin, is t
speak OF this great design as it cor
cerns the youth and the people of Ohio
shall. i. may be, speak teebly, io
the force ofmy speech must be accoI
ding to my ability: but shall nc
speak timidly; for, in my inmost sou
| do believe that the cause of Educ;
ton has higher claims, at the preser
time upon the citizens and guardians
this young Commonwealth, than a a
things else which can by any posslbll
ty invite their attention; and have n
personal, have no political, attacl
ment which, if it were required,
would not promptly sacrifice tor tn
promotion OF this cause. 1t is my d'
Iiberate Judgment that there is nothln
so essential 10 individual happiness
nothing so important to public pro
perity, nothing so necessary to tn
success of those free institutions Whlc
are here identified with the cause
human liberty itself, as that the rls'n
generation Of American freemen shoul'
Ito use again the language OF Milton
be placed in "the right path OF a Writ
Gus and noble Education; laborlou
indee /, at the first ascent, but else S
smooth, so green, so full Of goodiy pro-
pect, and melodious sounds on ever
side, that the harp Of Orpheus was nc
more charming"
Testimony of the WISE.
Let no man say that ! over-estimat
/. the importance Of this subject-let n
man think that speak with unwis
boldness; for | promulgate no vlslonar,
lotions, and these are not new thing
which | saw. My words are not onl