The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1851-11-19
EELF.CULTURE.

full development Of its powers. No man
whatever may have been his intellectual
endowments, has ever become great in lit
erature, science. or philosophy. without
long and perseverng effort. Men Of ge-
MUS are men Of toll; and they rise to elni.
nence. not merely because they possess
mental faculties, transcendant mower and
brlliancy, but because they cultivate, with
increasing assiduity, the native talents
with which they are endowed. Many a
young man has had hopes Of future great.
ness forever blasted by having imbibed
the pleasing, but delusive idea, that he
was genius. Who would toll to ascend
the hill Of fame if its summit could be
gained by a life Of idleness and pleasures
Who would strive for greatness, if made
to believe that genius was thrust upon him,
and like an inherited estate, he had only
to use it! Genius is like ore in the bed.
which must be brought to the light. and
fused, and harmonized. into usutul and
beautiful forms. The essential elements
of the polished rapier, or Damascus blade,
existed in the rude lump of ore, but it re-
quired the patient skill and energy of the
smith to bring it from It's crude condition
to one of great bfilliancy. elasticity, and
keenness.
1t should be fixed principle, with all
who have the responsibility of educating
the young. to instll into their minds the
idea, that in order TO become learned thew
must rely mainly upon their own resour-
ces.
1t is idle TO suppose that few years
spent at school is sufficient to establish
ones reputation for learning and renown.
The advantages of a liberal education are
useful to those who are determined to ed
ucate themselves. 1t renders the struggle
less arduous, by having the aids of age
and wisdom to point out the way that leads
TO honor. usefulness, and distinction.
A course Of instruction at some cele-
brated institution of learning, will prove
disadvantageous to those who rely upon
the honors conferred upon them by learned
professors, to bring themselves into notice,
without making further efforts to acquire
knowledge. than merely going through the
rotation Of classical recitatons; without
that personal searching, criticism, and re-
Election, which makes the ideas our own.
The honor of being selEtaught man
should not be confined entirely TO those
who have moi had the advantages of lib
eral education. Does four or eight years.
study, of variety OF sciences, perfect the
mind in any one thing? Nothing would
be more ridiculous than such supposi-
ton. The college graduate is obliged to
study for years before ne can render HIM
self distinguished in his profession. He
must, in short, be selftaught in the vol
umes of observation, experience, and
practical life.
Selfeducated men in the common &C.
ceptation OF that term, are those who have
risen to distinction without the advantages
of collegiate course of instruction. In
this category may be classed Dr. Frank
lin,. Washington, Sherman, and others.
who lived in the 'time that tried men S
souls;" and in our own day, Clay, Van
Buren,, and many other distinguished men
may be ranked in the same class. These
examples should furnish motive to Young
men to improve the time and talents con-
ferred upon them by an ALL WISE CREATOR.
in such manner as to become blessing
to society and the world. There is vast
amount Of uncultvated mind in our coun.
try, and it is dangerous to republican in
stitutions. 1t should be the aim of every
patriot, to do all in his power to influence
the young to persevere in the culture OF
their minds. that they may be prepared to
act well their part in sustaining the insl-
tutions Of our beloved country.
The instruction which youth receive at
school is only step-stone to self-improve-
meht. 1t places in their hands the tools
with which 10 carve out their future achieve
ments. The best institutions of learning
in the world can do no more than this: for
the topmost round Of the ladder of science
can only be attained by life time of in.
tellectual toll. But not to be misunder-
stood on this subject, | would simply re-
mark, that all minds are susceptible of the
same degree of improvement No truth
presents itself with more force and plain
ness, than that the human family possess
a diversity of intellectual gifts; Homer.
Milton, and Shakespeare. will stand in fu-
ture ages. as they have done in past, upon
the highest summit Of Parnassus' mount,
and he who attempts to soar above them,
will make an "unearthly futtering." and
perish in the rash adventure. mo sane
mind attempts impossbilities," and the
young aspirant for intellectual renown
should study his own capabilities, by the
light which the true science Of mind sheds
along his pathway, and pursue such a
course of self.culture as will be certain to
CRAFTY a laudable ambition.
The government under which we live is
favorable to sef.culture, for the obvious
reason, that the highest stations are within
the reach Of the humblest individual. The
,,nbi1,t,, of talant nolished and ctrau oth