Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-11-12

seen that Gov johnson, as genuine and consistent
Democrat, entertains very natural repugnance for
/" academies and colleges" 1t is clear that he re-
CARDS education as inimical to Democracy or to the
principles of the Democratic party proper" as he
elsewhere calls it and in this we confess it as our
own opinion that the worthy Governor is more than
half right. We have long shrewdly suspected as
much ourselves, though perhaps it least became us
to say it. Gov. johnson, however, is fortunate in
the possession Of fine tact for the discovery OF any
thing undemocratic in its nature or tendency; and,
in connection with this popular instinct, he is en-
dowed with the most transparent candor in the enup-
citation of his opinions. There is honesty about
the man which we cannot help admirng, however
much we may sometimes feel constrained to dissent
from his conclusions. In the present instance we
agree with the Governor to the fact that many of
our young men while at academies and colleges
and when in the study of their professions imper-
ceptibly imbibe notions prejudicial to Democracy"
Nothing in the world seems to US more natural or
inevitable But, instead of constructing from this
premise syllogism against colleges and academies,
we have always felt disposed to WELD it argu
ment against Democracy. The difference between
Gov Johnson's reasoning and own admits Of an
easy explanation. With him g the Democratic par
thing therefore, that its universal prevalence
is regarded with suspicion and jealousy. We, on
the other hand, have particular affection for the
Democracy in its principles, however much we may
respect the honesty of its patrons and therefore
disposed to welcome that educational culture which,
by making its subjects wiser men, converts them
"imperceptibly" at the same time into better poll
ticians.
Governor johnson we think falls into mistake
Ca pardonable one under the circumstances in sup
posing that literary attainments render their pos
SCISSORS "bigoted and supercious" It has always
heretofore been alleged that polite learning exerts
humanzing and refining influence over the inner
man, the fruits Of which are seen in pleasing
amenity of demeanor and Difference of manners at
the farthest remove from overweening arrogance or
clownish mpudence. Bigotry and superciousness
should at least not be described as the legitimate
products of literary attainments;" for Governor
johnson must be aware that bigoted and super
cilious men are found in other walks of life than
the academic shades. We have known politicians
who, we are sure, were quite as "bigoted," and
that witou literary attainments," as is the most
"supercilious professor in Tennessee aciM them.
Instead of ascribing these unamable attributes to
preceptors on account of their superior atainments
we think Governor J. would have done better to
mpute them as the natural offspring of that half
education that. little learning" which the poet
tells us, with of truth than poetry, I" is dan
gerous thing" But we would venture to suggest
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to professors graduates of colleges and these I'M
democratic institutions should not therefore be
PEELED to bear the brunt Of all that censure with
which Governor j. visits them. A |" little learn
ing" whether learned in the academy or Workshop
is likely to produce the effect, making its pos
SCISSORS equally "bigoed and supercilious, whether
they wear the badge of coegial honors carry on
their garments the dinge of the shop and the dust
of the field" about which the worthy Governor
speaks so eoquently in another part of his address
But this Democratic dread of colleges and AGA
demies" is not peculiar to Governor j. nor is this
the first occasion of its appearance. When the
Wing party was fourishing we remember one of
their favorte measures-the distribution of the pro-
ceeds from the sales of the public lands-cncoun-
tered the fercest opposition at the hands of the De-
mocracy, on the score that the fund was evidently
designed to corrupt the States. Now, as among the
chief ends hoped to be secured by the advocates of
this measure were the erection and endowment of
schools and colleges, especially in the younger
States it can be easily understood what the Demo-
cracy meant by the term corruption" Since the
alleged demise of the Wing party, however, it is
gratifying to observe that certain leaders among the
Democracy, now no longer having the fear of col
eges before their eyes, have concluded to appropri
ate this principle ALSO among others formerly ap-'
pertaining to the deceased by way, we suppose, of
administering on the estate. But still the great
mass Of the party remain true to the instinct which
teaches that sefpreservaton is the first law of
nature. 1t is but few days ago that one Of our
Virginia contemporaries, waxing warm on this very
subject, gave utterance to the indignant wish that
every dollar of Virgnias share in this "corrupting
fund " might be sunk at the bottom of the Poto-
mac sooner than that she should receive it," Such
sentiments coming from the I" Old Dominion are
quite enough to remind the poetical reader of Grays
description of that wise bird of the night which
'-' does to the complain
or such as, wandering near her secret bowers,
Modest her ancient solitary reign"
For these ideas arc not new in Virginia, and it is
an instructive fact, showing how extremes meet,
that opposition to education has not always proceed
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