The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1849-02-17
RTOOMSRURG COLUMBIA CO.. SATURDAY, FEB II. 1874

With our predecessors, and many ol our colemPo'
ratles, an opportunity of attending school, under
the most unlavorabie circumstances, in by gone
days, was doubtless embraced with audily, and
! improved to the best adya nlage The lapse OF
few brief years, have, in the gradaiion Of events
produced a wonderful change in our Country
doubtless, mainly attributable to our free lnsItu-
| tions, the liberal aud Enlightened policy OF our
government, and the industry aud enterprise OF
our Citizens.
! With the facilities now afforded our youth, Of
all ranks and degrees, in almost every section Of
our Country, for acquiring a thorough English ed
ucation, ii is matter OF much regret to every well
wisher of his Country and his species, to see ma
nv parents, and heads Of Families in some dis
tricts, bringing into action, all their zeal and in
huence, both by example and precept to throw
obstacles in the way Of the advancement of our
youth, in scientific attanments; TO their great
encouragement, and consequently, TO their future
happiness, usefulness, and respecablity in socie-
ty.
As this article is designed principally for the
benefit of the yOuthtW readers Of the "DemO.
c,at," would, with feelings oil aiectionate So
onal enjoyment Of the pleasures resulting from
an enlightened and cultivated mind, encourage
such of our youth as find themselves placed under
the adverse circumstances alluded to, and at the
same time painting for the "tDateIS Of the pierian
spring." TO persevere with unremitting assiduty
to improve to the best advantage, the small por-
ton of time vouchasfed at present; and even
though it be inadequate to the satisfying your au
dahe ambition in .he pursuit Of knowledge, the
time will soon arrive when the power of those,
whose yolltiOns at present control your pursuits,
will become impotent; and although, reverence
to parents is an indispensable requesite in the for
nation of the character OF every VirtuOus minded
youth; yet, when the time arrives that YOU are
kgdiiy beyond their control, endeavour with af-
(ectiOnae tenderness, TO convince them, if posi-
be that you consider il duty, YOU owe to your
self, to your elow-cltizens, and TO your Country,
to avail yourself Of the opportunity yet within
your reach, under our present excellent system
of Public Schools, to pursue your studies until
you shall have acquired competent English ed
ucation: and you will never have cause to regret
the sacrafice of mere trivial and unimpOrant
youthful amusements for the acquisition of useful
and substantial learning, which will be found
through succeeding years an nexhaustabIe trea-
sure, and even in the decline of life, when SEN
sual qualifications shall pail, and all the pleasing
sensations arising from visible objects lose their
charms; the well educated mind will find sources
of refined and rational enjoyments, far more val.
liable and consolatary than any that the vanities,
the riches, or the honours Of this world can ai
ford.
may perhaps, in future number (by way Of
encouragement to the YOUTH advert to the in.
crease, or gradual arising Of light and knowledge
in our day, the rapid progress of improvement IN
the intellectual and moral condition Of man
throughout the civilized world, Sc, with hope
that the youth of our own country, and especially
of our own school district, will not, through a
love of ease, or supne negligence, fall so far be-
hind the less favOured portion of their country
men, as to merit, at more advanced period of
life, the unenvable distinction of being pointed
at as, behind the spirit Of the age.
VERITAS.