American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1856-07-19
Agriculture, Mechanics, &c.
WHOLE NO. IS.

proycment and moral welfare. This great principe OF
our social being therefore lends it's sanctioto the OBJ
Sotions that should bind the citizen to his native soil
aa Fatricts Us inds s strongest gugranty in the pro-
But the urgent demand Of all these sentiments and
principles, seems to be dsrcgardcd by the youth of
1Srginia. They 60 abroad to return no more They
swear allegiance to tho stranger They are found in
the councils u hc nation; but tits in the service of the
stranger They are seen leading battalions to Victory
on the field of battles but the glory of their achieve
ments enures to strangers. Their science and their
sFl are every where distinguished; but all The benefit
isderived by strangers. Meantime Virginia aneuish.
jes. Her unrvaed resources lie undeYeopod and un-
appropriated where they laid if the science of eooo
gy be true, thousands of gears before Adam kent tho
garden of Eden. Her illustrious dead are without
monuments and without histories, and the very places
where their ashes sleep, rapidly becoming undistn
guisilabie Is thareno remody2
Andhere, gentlemen, willanswcr the query which
has, no doubt, been suggesting itself your Minds
and what application have they you? Irespond that
the remedy for these evils is in your hands Relief
must come from the academies and school-houscs Of
Virginia will not venture any opinion in reference
to those special measures Of legislative policy nccessaa
ry to accomplish this great work, The occasion de-
nands that should shun these yexed questions; and,
therefore, do not presume to dictate ioso the relief
shan be secured only take tho liberty of announc-
ing aVh0 shall secure IT. And Irepeat gentlemen that
the redemption Of Virginia must come from her school
houses and academies. We are not deficient in nat,lr-
! al means; but we want the men.to apply tho means
The schoolmaster will make the men. lie isto be the
great reiormerno BY teaching abshusc political ab-
strNctions, and barren scctarian dogmas No We
have more than enough OF such knowledge now But
hewll 90 it by teaching children their j Cs; by
enabng the citizen to read and study the laws of hi,
county by unseaing the Book of Life contaning the
doctrines OF grace, and tie records of salvation: by
sending abroad educated young nen who shall give
strength, consistency and activity to the pnbhc mind
popular sentiments by inspiring proper rstate pride
and Just appreciation Of or great notaIa resources
and local advantages. undertake tcsay, that gram
tmaF and geography aEl aeoiaetry, aad asitbihetic
faoTs ,IuHsft.see ;.c. tl,e aoT.t IS s.,ss,sss ~.
free people. knowledge IS power every whclc..-
IN Tree States il IS q necessity In deapotic govern
ments, where the will Of the monarch ia tho Io,of a
state the ignorance of tho subject may be supplied in
some degree, by the intelligence OF The SOVEREIGN
But where the political authority is vested in the pco
pie, all should bo cducotodnonc should be IGNORANT
You see therefore the work which is to be done and
who are to do it. Nrgniai is to be redeemed Shcis
to be aroused from the slunbcr Of half a ccntury
She is to be inspired with new public sentiment
Her wonderful resources are to be developed Her
rivers must be improved. Roads must be built. I1cr
mines must be worked, Industry and enterprise must
be stimulated and encouraged The tide Of emigration
must be checked and capital must be kept and c1Dlov
ed at home Agriculture commerce and manufactures
are to unite Their triple energies to augmont the pub
nc wealth and welfare. A great city is to be built
some where the ocean shore whose centrinetal in
huence sha atTact the treasures OF land and sea- and
whose centrifugal commercial power, shall send abroad
lEs accumulated merchandise to every quarter Of the
globe The shameful stigma Of Unparalleled ignorance
is TO be wiped from our escutchcon Schools ranst be
| Established. Academies must be multipied Collie
ges must be endowed. The arts and sciences ,ust bo
cultivated and cherished The muses. must be BROUGHT
Dack from Their Northern refuge whittier they seem to
nave He'd, and be roinstacd in their ancient houns
ana nails Ihe'tormcr glory Of Virginia must be re-
WVeu. Her moral influence in the national councils
must be re-assered and her orignna ratio of repre
sentaton restored New historic nafnos must be coa-
Yea ana gwen to the country and tle world and the
star oil the "Old Dominion must again culminate and
shine as at first highest and brightest in the glorious
galaxy OF our American confederation of State soye~
Ireignties.
This is my platform. present it for your accop.
tance What do you thnk oft? How do YOU relish
the task which IS assigned to you? Have 1 been oblo
70 arouse IN your bosons the spirit Of fcalty to tho
CommonwcaltlE Have ] succeeded in touchinr tbo
true cord Of patriotic allegiance? What IS yo9r re-
Isponsc to these oyertures?
Next to The service of Cod is the service of your
country. Second only to your allegiance to Heaven
are the claims Of patfotsm Indeed the Obligations
ot the Christian involve tho duties OF the patriot
They are i5eparabe. And what more grateful Ser
wee was ever required Of the citizen by his countrv
than s demanded Of you by Tho condition of VIRGINIA?
ohe calls upon you, not-tlank God--to repel y for
eign toe--not tonale foreign conquest-not TO SIN
press inauweotionot to imperi your iiyes In battle
bot she calls upon you to maintain your ALLEGIANCE.
TO redeem her from neglect faGko yourselves illus
tiious by making her gloriousond to do all this bv
promoting the arts Of peace