The Columbian fountain., 1846-02-12
THE YOUNG MANS WAY
TO INTELLIGENCE, RESPECTABILdTY, HO-
NOR AND USEFULNESS.
INDUCEMENTS.


power is in the hands Of the people, nothing
is more dangerous to liberty than popular
Ignorance. You will sometimes be called
to decide important questions, involving
not only the wealth and happiness, but the
very existence Of the government under
which you live. One vote may cast the
die, for veal or wo, and be the means of
entaiing on yourselves and your children
a joyful blessing or whitening curse
Every man, therefore, should be conversant
with his country's constitulion--who has
the fearful privilege Of deciding her fate.
All how few Of those who 60 to cast in
their votes, think Of the fearful response
|bility resting on them, or the dreadful con-
sequence that may follow. Perhaps it
would not be going beyond the truth, if it
were asserted, that more than half Of those
now attached to the political parties which
divide our nation, cannot give reason for
their preference. Some are partizans be-
cause Of the prejudice formed against certain
men, others from the attachment of friend
ship whilst thousands are hoodwinked and
nose-led by the designing and interested.
Every man should be able to give reason
for his political hopes and fears, as well as
his religious notions. But the ignorant,
who never read or think, cannot do this.
1t is moral impossibility. 1t certainly,
therefore, cannot require an argument to
show that our Institutions cannot be safe in
such hands. Many, who are well aware
Of these facts, and seeing the danger Of our
Institutions, pause and inquire what can be
done There is but one reply, viz ed
ucate the rising generation in what they
Ought to know. Let them be trained up
to reading, reflection, and morality. This
done and there need be no fear for our
country.
To this inducement may be added, the
great satisfaction to be derived from in
dustry in literary pursuits. In as far as the
mind, being immortal, is superior to the
body, so far are mental enjoyments superior
to those which are merely sensual. The
one is low and grovelling, the other high
and inspiring. The one frequently leads to
shame and covers the face with bushes, the
other is always honorable and without fear
of reproach. Is there no pleasure in read
ing history, and thus conversing with
former generations? Does not the stndy
of Nature thrill the soul with unspeakable
delight, as her chambers open their ample
wonders to our inquiring eyes? Study
opens vast field over which reflection and
fancy can roam and luxuriate without fear
Of safety. All sensual pleasures, weary
and cloy the appetite, but those which
spring from intellectual cultivation, never
cease to delight. 1t is said that DR.. Frank
lin once remarked, that 6 he knew not a
more, unhappy man than the one who
could not read, and had nothing to do on
rainy day." This remark is Characters
tic Of the man who is said to have made it,
but is as true to life as it is eccentric. In
fact, am at loss to know how man in
such circumstances could enjoy himself at
all, unless like many other careless amin
ais, he spent the time in slumber, or like
the Chinese, in eating opium.
1t has been said that the bible makes all
nature vocal, when it would otherwise be
silent, and its various laws either not known
at all, or be wholly misunderstood. A sim
liar remark may be made in relation to the
action Of science on the material world
Every thing is unquestionably created with
wise design, and intended to serve some
useful purpose. Butthe ignorant can never
find out their uses and various adaptations
The only effect lightning and thunder has
upon the unlettered savage, is fright and
dismay. But how very differently these
agents Of nature act upon the better lnstruc-
ted. They are received with gratitude as
means of purifying the atmosphere, and
therefore, conducting to the health and hap
piness of mankind. The ignorant man looks
over the face of nature, studded with for
ests and garnished with flowers, with a
vacant and unmcaning stare. He sees no
beauty, and feels no thrilling inspiration
because to him it is perfectly incomprehen-
sible. But the man of science stands a
charmed spectator Of nature's beauty and
profusion, as he more or less sees the design
and uses of what is before him. All clase s
would be much more happy in their various
employments, were they to mingle more
science with labor, as they would better
understand their own business, and there
fore, have less fear Of failures and unfore-
seen calamities
knowledge moreover, gives influence in
all states of society. And popularity
whether really advantageous or net, with
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