Weekly North Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1850-1858, 1851-11-05
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MR.. AVERY'S ADDRESS,.

|, The Address of w. w. Avery, ESQ.,, of Burke,
before the two Literary Societies of our University
in June last, has been printed at the Standard Office
for the Dialectic Society. l..a.e,.., -,
Mr.Avery's subject is State Pride. He has delin'
eated with bold but truthful hand the condition o
the State-has pointed out some of the chief causes
of backwardness in the race Of mental and phys.
ical improvement; and he appeals in trumpettones
to the young of the country to rouse themselves
to the noble strife before them, and go forth deter
mined to elevate their State the high stand among
her sisters which she is justly entitled to occupy
We make the following extracts from this able and
interesting Address ...,-.. 81. "a. -.,s:s
estate pride is an active desire to see our i,nme-
diae country prosperous and happy 1t has its origin
in that love for the land of birh which is Of
the instincts of nature and nctes noeI
actons and induces greater sacrifices, than any other
impulse of mans bosom. Love Of birthplace and
home, is developed simultaneously with those warm
affections for parents-brohers- that exist
around the family hearth, and which, If cultivated,
cluster after about the human heart. AS assoca-
ton expands the scope of affection, this feeling extends
to the social system around US, and is gradually
larged, until it comprises within its devotion the
tire Government of the country we inhabt. No Gov.
eminent has ever retained the allegiance of its cti-
zens where this sentiment has languished; and no
principle, cherished passion, and made subordi-
nate only to religion, in the arder with which low
ed in the bosom of the people. But the force and eff
ciency ofthis feeling in controlling actions, slim
ulatng high resolves and securing the sacrifice of in
dividual interest to the public good. depends upon
to make it active, effective, and selfsacri6cing-I
speak with reference TO the public weal-that area
should be circumscribed by fixed and definite boun-
daries, and must not be too extensive for each
cessive enlargement of the circle of its sympathy
weakens it's intensity, precisely as our affection for
ve-friend-countryman, becomes less
ardent it dverges from the principal focus of
centration. ..
The division of the vast territory of our Republic
into States, with known and fixed boundaries. and
having the entire control of their own internal police
and government, thereby concentrating the actions,
thoughts, and affections of their people, while it
sttutes the strength and beauty of political sys-
TEN, is likewise the chief element of the prosperity
of our Republic As liberal competition between in
divduals in the for honorable distinction is the
valry among the members Of family OF States, in
their contest for prominence in improving and ame
lioratng the condition Of their people, to each
greater progress in the march Of improvement; and
the aggregate of character and prosperity thus attain
ed by the several States, impar,s to the Republic the
glory and grandeur Of its national character.
Much of the well-mcrited renown acquired by our
arms upon the plains of Mexico. may be ascrbed to
the noble emulation which was excited in the bosoms
of the several corps Of patriotic soldiers, representing
the different States of the Union. Marching under a
banner, clothed in the emblems, and inscribed with
the motto Of his State, each cizen-soldier approach
ed the field of battle, proudly conscious shat her hon.
or and character confded to his keeping; and,
he beheld his brethren from the other States un-
furing their respective banners, and marshaling them
spirit, that the flag of his native State should be fore
most in the van, whilst single hand was left to
~ and defend it.
Thus inspirited the citizensoldier of America has
proved himself invincible. And if the same noble
spirit of emulation, existing and operating in the civil
departments of lie, would animate and direct the
people of all the States in this Union, what limit
could human prophecy afix to their intellectual, So
cial, political, and moral advancement! Would to
God that beloved State thrilled from centre to cir
conference with the inspiration of this spirit! Would
that could this day enkndle in your bosoms the
generating spark! For am here to speak for North
Carolina-to appeal from her children whose genera
ton is passing away, TO those whose generation will
soon succeed them and if shall speak plainly and
boldly, it is because all that am-al that have
and from my full and perfect consciousness ofloyalty
to her institutions and her interests, claim the prl'
vege of telling you the truth, and recounting the
simple story Of her wrongs.
North Carolina commenced her career member
of this Union with an average share of the wealth.
onies. And it is true, she has increased in popua-
tion-in weath-in intelligence-in most of the ele-
ments that constitute the greatness OF State. But
has that increase been commensurate with the pro-
gress Of the world around us! Is she not lmmeas'
urably behind many Of her compeers! While she
pauses after short and convulsve efforts at progress,
not her proud sisters moving onward in their ca
reer, and widening the distance which separates her
from them? Do you require evidence that she oc.
cupies position so low in the scale OF progress
A 7 IL fho mo.
MORALS of her advancement! Where are the works
of public improvement, proPoronate to the resources
and of her people, attestng their public splr'
it! few partial works Of improvement in one Sec
tion, struggling into precarous existence and sus
tained alone by their small band of Spartan proec-
tors and single grand scheme progressing, which has
been saved from positive failure only by unparalleled
exertipns, although munifcent subscription had
been made by the State to aid its consummation-
these the only monuments of their public spirit.
What have we accomplished in the great cause
! of popular education! What expenditures have we
made to disseminate intelligence among the mass o
da,ons Of popular freedom We received fund
from abroad, in terms oan but in effect donation
We established system of Common Schools and
devoted that fund to their maintenance. The fund
has proved inadequate to give life and vitality to the
system and, instead of increasing it from our owr
abundant resources and q1ieting the public mind by
enargng il 10 an amount sufficient to meet the wants
of ali sections we are calmly Witnessing contes
touching its distribution, that may terminate eithe
in the destruction of the system ITSELF or in the ali
enaon of the affections of our people from each 9th
er. And, pending this prolonged conflict, the grea
cause languishes almost 30 stagnation, because th
mass of our people have abandoned schools foundet
upon private subscription, in the confident expecta
ton that their children would be allowed the priv
ege of drinking deep from the fountains Of public
| instruction. 80 .... p. .'.'. ''f@-i 't-'t"-
*
Where are her discoveries in Science, or the in
stances of her application of its established p:inci
ciples, in improved forms, to promote the comfort
happiness of mankind She has ascended the pla
| c.. ,.hAh o.hors have erected hnf seeks moi h