The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1851-05-17
For The Cecil Wig.
EDUCATION OF YOUTH.


the United States, is a subject of the
highest moment that can engage our at
tention, and is probably the very highest
that has ever been presented to the con-
sideration of mankind,
The particular position which our
country occupies in regard to the other
nations of the earth, in consequence of
the liberal character of her institutions,
the extent of her territory, and the I'M
bounded enterprise of her citizens, to-
gether with her rapid advancement in
all the arts of civilized life, makes this
subject of transcendent importance.
The distinguished American states
men, who are the pride oftheir country,
will after the lapse of few years, be
gathered to then fathers, and the youths
who are now in the hands of instructors,
will be called upon to occupy their Fla-
ces. The same will be true in all the
other great departments of human action.
The boys of the present day will soon
be required for the defence of their
country; to develope her vast agricultu-
raj resources; to carry on her commerce
in all quarters of the earth; to manage
her extensive lines of internal commu-
nication-the navigation of her great
rivers and canals-the operation Of her
railways and telegraphs--the construc-
ton of architectural ediiices, and the de-
velopement of the hidden resources of
nature.
Therefore in view of the duties which
must necessarily devove on the rising
generation, their proper education be-
comes subject Of paramount import
ance.
We want generation of men of lib
eral and generous minds, who can ap.
preciate the value of truth, and rever-
ence its dictates; whose minds shall be
free from error, and whose vision shall
not be obscured by the mists of supersti-
ton nor prejudice, whether religious,
political, or sectional. -AIen of enlarged
and noble minds. who are willing to
make sacrifice of private feelings, and
private interests, for the public good;
whose nice sense of justice and honor
shall carefully weigh the evil, and the
good, ever making truth the standard Of
their conclusions. With such men our
country would be safe cts laws would
be respected, and its institutions perpet-
uated, while the dlsorganiser and the
revoutionist would not dare disclose
his nefarious schemes TO the present
generation is entrusted the education OF
those who are TO succeed them, and on
the character of that education, the flu
ture destiny of our country depends.
Education in its fullest sense means not
only the instruction impaired in schools,
but the moral and religious training OF
youth, from the first mental manifesto
tons through every subsequent period.
1t likewise embraces the formation of
habits of industry, Of sobriety and fru-
gaity.
Much, as regards the formation ofchar-
acter and moral training depends upon
the offices of the mother. From her
the child receives its earliest and most
lasting impressions. How careful then
should the mother be as regards the
character of the instruction impaired to
her child in early youth. The shades
OF superstition ana preJudlcesnoulu new
er be allowed to cloud his youthful inn
agination; but truth, in all its loveliness,
should be the constant basis of his in
struction. The mind ola child proper
ly directed, becomes enamored Of the
beauties of the natural world, and be-
comes inquiring as to things beyond its
comprehension. The inquiries of chill
dren should be carefully answered, so
that habit for the investigation of
truth may be formed. But if the ques-
tons OF children are not answered at all,
or answered enormously, then his youth
full ardor is depressed, and he looks at
objects through false medium, and err
rors creep into his mind, not only as re-
CARDS natural objects, but affecting his
moral actions.
RAMBLER.