Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1846-11-12
THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE.
FROM TUE NATIONAL IxrELtrc rscEn.

days; and during that period the throng was
precedented, and degree of admiration expires.
that seemed to have no bounds. Although
number OF articles far exceeded any other exhi
ton, presenting, such elaborate improvements
style and finish as 70 captivate the eve of every b
holder, there is still much due to the advantageo
position in which the articles were placed III
form OF the building is happily adapted to produt
THIS effect; for, If seated in the gallery OIL eitht
side, the eye commanded complete view of tn
whole, with scarcely movement of the head
scene OF the kind, equally gorgeous and imposing
was never before witnessed in the United States
ana the opinions of several gentlemen, who hay,
oeen present at some of the richest displays Of tho
arts In Europe, were freely expressed, and thei
iui conviction that what they had witnessed abroad
lei short OF the spendor and beauty which So forc
Diy impressed their vision in walking through the
aisles and gallery OF Castle Garden. II seemed to
| oe the embodiment OF a fairy scene There were,
indeed, as may well be supposed; very many arti-
cles Presentngthe evidences OF the richest taste in
7 FANCY and establishment but by far the greatest
number were recommended by their acknowledged
uuiiiy, and evidently adapted to the most useful
domestic purposes. And to this point we would
particularly call the attention of the public for not
only can domestic fabrics be obtained ON as fair
terms as those imported but often indeed ON better
terms, and in almost ali cases getting better art-
Gle. we have now abundant evidences that the
quality OF domestic goods with few exceptions pcs.
sesses an acknowledged superiority over much the
larger portion of those brought from abroad Do
nestle cutlery, for instance and many other OF the
most useful fabrics might be named. commands 8
decded preference SO much SO, indeed, that MANY
articles now brought from abroad do not find ready
sale. The domestic fabrics not only possess supe
ror claims by being better adapted TO the purposes
for which they are intended, but thew are made Of
better material and have much smoother finish,
Hence 1t is fair TO conclude that they will hereafter
have full control of the market and subdue all com
petition The arts oil our country are fast gaining
the ascendant under reasonable protection and such
are the genius, spirit and enterprise of our country
men that no earthly power can check or restrain
them. The progress In Improvements and inven-
tons generally have become a matter of wonder,
and may be pronounced an anomaly i'm the history
OF mankind The present generation have begotten
new era, and none have contributed so essentially
In the accomplishment of this great end as the free
and sturdy sons of our own pregnant soil No limit
can De set 10 these fearless and manly strides or
IL any should be found, it will be two vast oceans
and The light from either shore will hereafter guide
us III our unrivaled career to distinction and glory
Behold, then, the unerrng pledge of future great
ness ana The ineslimabe and inc.nroverible proofs
OF that Liberty which cannot estimate too hioblv.
winch Is the light OF our path, the prop and shield
oil our strength, and our imperishable birthright
VINO, then, So degenerated as not to be proud Of
his country! "N no shall set limits to the giants
strength &"
Let us now withdraw attention for moment
from The contemplation of the splendid spectacle of
the mechanic arts, and call up in review the ad-
dresses which have been delivered before the Amer
lean Institute for a succession OF wears Here are
ample materials Tor deep and valuable instruction:
Having all been published under the immediate s,-
pervlslon OF the corresponding secretary (who was
the Chief founder as he has been the chief manager
OF this great concern,) and in neat and unii;1rm
size, they are for sale by him the office of the In
stltule on very reasonable terms 1t would be all
most superfluous TO say that these numerous adj
dresses, together with those of the presidents and
other officers Of the institute and Of gentlemen who
nave volunteered their services to aGd light to the
common cause, abound with the most valuable in
siruction They form collectively treasure that
can never be duly estimated or sufficiently annreci
ated IL is the noblest fountain Of political wisdom
that can by any possible means fall into the hands
VI ah american citizen, who covets instruction on
tiose leading concerns that So Immediately affect
ue prosperity oil the great body OF the people. They
unfold richness OF thought and mass of infrma-
tlon that can nowhere else be found and thew ,ra
clothed In dicon Of such force, beauty and elegance
that no man ought to deem himself too great tc
draw wisdom from such a fountain for it NAV with
perfect truth be SAID that So far as relates 10 the
prominent features IN the character OF our own coun-
Try, the whole range of the English language NAV
be safely challenged To produce an equal amount of
valuable instruction and wisdom. We undertake
To say that no man ought to be deemed qualified to
ACT III pubic concerns, or certainly not as law
gyer, who has failed devote fair portion of his
time to the careful perusa of these important State
papers 10 the young aspirant after political dis
tlhcuon they VIII prove To be of infinite value for
they are superlatlvey excellent, They will suffi-
cently illustrate the sublime precept of The Jewish
lawglver, 1.-THE cloud by day and the pillar Of fire
by night" to every man who is capable of ludpino
vi their merit.
Amld 50 many powerful displays Of elomence,
10 ar DFI ntfrht
the comparative merits OF the numerous speakers,
They may all be SAID to possess their own peculiar
excellence, and 1t may therefore be deemed ingid-
Gus 10 designate any one as having pre-eminent
claim to notice on the score of superiority But.
Notwithstanding the high degree of intellect and DC
htlcal research which so eminently characterize
these splendid productions, we are somewhat dis
posed TO yield the palm TO that OF the Hon. MIR.
STUART, OF Virginia, delivered how two years
since at Nlblo's. There is richness of thought n
Harness OF argument, an honesty of purpose lust
ness or conclusion, and the whole clothed I'm Ian
guage OF such force and beauty that it will bear
reading again and again, and vet the reader shall
rise from the perusal with renewed delight and re-
newed instruction. This effect can alone be prodn-
ced by superior genius; and when exalted intel
lect mas spread tie efulgencc Of its light over the
no5est theme, the mind readily yields its capacity
to investigate any further, and surrsnders TO the
overwhelming commands OF sublime elouuence.
i'"""Cc, we are prone 10 Think. must be
made In TAX ng into view the fact that Mr. STUART
IS one OF VTglnia's noblest sons and we were not
prepared to expect career 80 independent and elc-
waited as we find running through the whole of his
performance. This seems none the less extraordi-
nary, while regarding as we must the preudices
which have long prevailed in that noble Common
wealth in relation to many points of political econo
my. IL cannot indeed be doubted that many OF the
serious evils which have been brought upon tn,
land had their origin in Virginia and to this tla>
they cling 10 her skirts with singular tenacit =
RIf licrht L..