The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1851-06-28
knowledge within the Reach Of All.
BY HON. EDWARD EVERETT.

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point Of attainment in science and art.
The progress of invention and improve.
ment has been, especially of late years,
prodigiously rapid; and now, whether
we regard the science of nature or of
art, of mind Or of morals, of contempla.
ton or of practice, it must be confessed
that we live in wonderfully improved
period.
Where is all this knowledge9 Where
does it dwell In the minds of the
present generation of men. 1t is, in
deed, recorded in books, or embodied in
the various works and structures of man.
But these are only manifestations of
knowledge. The books are nothing till
they are read and understood; and then
they are only sort of shorthand, an
outline which the mind fills up. The
thing itself, the science the art, the skill,
are in the minds of living men-of that
generation which is now upon the stage.
That generation will die and pass away
In thirty years, all now living will be
gone, or retired from the scene, and a
new generation will have succeeded.
The mighty process does not take
place at once, either throughout the
world or in any part of 1t; but it is con-
stantly going on-sllently, etiectually,
inevitably; and all the knowledge, art
and refinement now in existence must
be either acquired by those who are
coming on the stage; or 1t perishes with
those who are going off, and is lost for
ever.
There is no way by which knowledge
can be handed down but by being learn
ed over again; and of all the science, art,
and skill in the world, so much only
will survive, when those who possess it
are gone, as shall be acquired by the
succeeding generation. All the rest
must perish. The rising generation is
now called upon to take up this mighty
weight to carry it along little way,
and then hand it over, in turn to their
successors.
The minds which in their maturity,
are to he repositories of all the knowl-
edge, are coming into existence every
day and every hour, in every rank and
station of life, all endowed with facul-
ties; all at the commencement equally
destitute Of ideas; and starting with the
ignorance and helplessness of nature;
all invited to run the aoble race of i'm
provement. In the cradle there is as
little distinction of person as IN the
grave.
The great lesson which / would teach
you is, that it depends mainly on each
individual what part he will bear in the
accomplishment of thi, great work. 1t
is to be done by somebody. In quiet
order ofthings the stock of useful knowl-
edge is not only preserved, but augmen-
ted; and each generation improves on
that which went before.
1t is true, there has been a period in
the history of the world when discord
at home or invasion from abroad has so
blighted and blasted the condition of
society; that knowledge has persisted
with one generation faster than it could
be learned by another; and whole nations
have sunk from condition ofimprove-
ment to one Of ignorance and barbarity,
sometimes in a few Yeas. But no such
dreadful catastrophe is now to be feared.
Those who come after us will not on.
ly equal but surpass their predecessors.
The existing arts will be improved; sci
ence will be carried to new heights, and
the great heritage of useful knowledge
will 60 down unimpaird and augment
ed. But it is all to be shared out anew;
and 1t is for each perion to say what
part he will gain in the glorious patri-
mony.
When the rich man iscalled from the
possession of his treasures he divides
them as he will among bis children and
heirs. But an equal Providence deals
not so with the living treasures of the
mind. There are childen just growing
up in the bosom of obs:urity, in town
and country, who have inherited nothing
but poverty and health who will in a
few years be striving in stern contention
with the great intellects of the land.
Our system Of free schools has open
ed a straight way from tie threshold of
every abode, however humble, in the
village or in the city, to the high places
Of usefulness, influence and honor. 1t is
left for each by the cultivation of every
talent; by watching witheagle's eye for
every chance of Improvement; by bound
ing forward like greyhound at the
most distant glimpse Of honorable OPP
portunity; by graphing, as with hooks
of steel, to the prize whn it is won; by
redee ming time, defying temptation, and
scorning sensual pleasure to make him.
self useful, honorable and happy.
Our whole country sa great and
speaking illustration of what may be.
done by native force o'mind without
advantages, but starting ID under strong
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