Nebraska palladium. [volume] (Bellevieu City, Neb.) 1854-1855, 1854-11-29
TFor the Palladium.
ORIGINAL PAPERS ON EDUCATION.

be that power, or faculty in man, which
TThinks and wills, remembers and rea-
sons and the senses arc the media through
which a knowledge Of external objects,
or Of what is passing without, is convey
ed 10 the brain, and a consciousness, Of
what is Transporting within the limi. Of the
senses, is then said TO begin. When sub
jccts are thus presented to the minds con-
temptation, the faculty Of thought is sup
posed to be exercised upon them. And
the mental examination and comparison TO
which they are afterwards subjected, is in
general, understood TO be the operation Of
the reason upon them. Thus, thought
makes known TO the mind, the agreement
or disagreement between certain PROPOSE
tons. Reason deduces the conclusion, OF
consequence, hat is TO be drawn from
them, and the judgment finally decides
upon the propriety Of acting on the pro-
positions so advanced. Il is with regret
admitted, that the passions contribute ma
icrially, to the operations Of judgment, or
to the determination Of the will, and in
minds not properly balanced, greatly IA
c%iIitate action in conflict with the prinoi-
pies of morality. Now, there are certain
propositions which men and society have
sanctioned and established as right; the
truth Of which propositions, is believed
to be co-extensive with the existence and
duration Of all created matter. And hui
man conduct should run parallel TO these
great propositions, that is. 10 such Of them
as are inherently inluiuvely and self-cyi-
IDENTIFY right, because man cannot create
right, any more than he can destroy it,
And the agreement Of any combination Of
men, however large, can, and Of right
ought 10 be, Of none effect whatever, I'M
less in accordance with the immutable and
eternal truths, upon which justice and
constitutional law and government should
repose. While these propositions are adj
mitted by society as right, oil conduct the
reverse, or in conflict with them, is con-
sidered wrong. Thus, that all men are
entitled 10 lie, carries with it the idea,
that whoever, under certain circumstances.
puts a human being TO death, is guilty OF
murder. That every man is entitled TO
all that he has justly acquired, is connect
ed that other idea, that whosoever appro.
PIRATES the property Of another, is guilty
Of theft. These, and many others, are
The grosser acts, Of which only, the law
can take notice; but there are many thinys
equally wrong, that are not subject Of ie-
gal punishment. Thus, it is right 10 speak
the truth, and wrong 10 lie. 1t is right
TO be industrious, and wrong 10 be idle
There are numerous other things, equally
right to do, and equally wrong If left un-
done; and which, though not within the
reach Of law, nevertheless prepare, and
hurry on the mind 10 other acts, with
which are connected punishment and deg
radiation. To teach, with accuracy, the
distinctions between right and wrong, falls
legi;imately within the province of the
parent, if he is rot 10 do it, who else is?
Who else can? The school-teacher can
not do it, because his teachings lie in q
different sphere; the ~expoundcr Of dheo-
logical love, cannot do it, for he is speak
ing in fact and in manner, 10 men aud wo-
men, ana not in general to-childreu, and
these are the only classes of men, whose
business is in any way connected with the
reformation Of society. There are none
then, SO well situated, TO impart the requi-
site instruction, as the parent. They and
the children are constantly together, and
the parent should be satisfied, that the dis
inctions between right and wrong, be-
tween truth and error, are understood and
appreciated by the children. A proper
direction TO the passions, should also re-
ceive attention, as this is the most fruitful
ouree Of evil, both in children and among
men, too much care cannot be bestowed
in giving them a suitable direction, and 10
their restriction within appropriate limits.
It has already been limited, that the pas
sions exercise no small influence ia the de-
termination Of the will. Against this, the
parent should Increasingly guard; he should
constantly cultivate that strength Of mind
and solidity Of judgment, that will enable
his children 10 r~ellnquish an object, how
pleasing soeyer 10 the eye, taste, or any
Of the senses, rather than violate a prin-
ciPle Of duty, or Of right. It is not in
sisted, that the parent can make his child.
rem perfect, and it is admitted that the en-.
trance into the mind Of a proposition to dc
| evil cannot re rra..a,t.l - ill n.