Smyrna times., 1856-12-10


be done to save Posterity from such consummate
!iliteracy1 Should not our public school sys-
TEN. be rendered more practical in its charac-
ter?-more extensive in its inAuence?-more
complete in its operations !-and should not
home influence be made to cooperate more fully
in its noble design and blessed work, that gen.
sral intelligence may prevail, and our little
Diamond State, polished by the hand of AVA
kened genius, be made to shine with greater |
respleadence in the eliminating constellation |
of pure freedom and republican power. Ay, |
our common school law should be materially |
amended. so that it may properly fulfil its ex.
alted mission, meet the growing wants Of socie-
ty and bless our country with the inestimable |
"Of that in which nations greatness lies,
Without which Empires fqll, but with it rise !"
Mental cuture-universal mental culture, and
mental culture which not only imparts abstract
IDEAS, but by careful discipline and the plastic
power of moral suasion, moulds the character
and shapes the destiny for good. But law can
not do everything however good it be-. Mea
gre, indeed, would be the good results in gene.
raj Of the best system of public instruction that
human wisdom could devise, unless it be duly
sustained and ever meet with earnest parental
| cooperation and aid. Home influences havt
no inconsiderable share in the formation of cha
racter and the culture of the mind. Every i'm.
preston which a child receives constitutes
part of its education, and parents should be very
careful at all times to inculcate the purest prln-
ciples of morality, both by precept and exam
Pile, and take every reasonable precaution TO
prevent the minds OF their children from being
poisoned by "evil communications, which cor
rupt good manners and crush the life of virtue
ont of the soul. go .a"
"Vice, lis monster of such hideous mien
III That to be hated needs but to be SEEN,
a. But seen too oft, familiar with her face
We first endure, then pity then embrace
and, therefore, while it'would not be advisable
for children 10 be shut up in IS dark monastc
cells 7" to prevent their contamination by con-
slant contact with the sn-stained world, parentr
should always have something to say, and take
|
housekeeping them aloof from perncious in
auences and leading them lovingly along in th,
= peaceful and pleasant paths of virtue, eve
|" ready to praise them for well-doing; with kin,
words to encourage them in every proper un
: dertaking, and ever prompt to punish for mis
:. conduct and wllful disobedience IN sncha man
3 ner as may be calculated % secure the best re
II suits. Mothers especially should take grea
J; pains in traiGing their children The mothe
l. Is with her child in its early days more iba
" any one else, and therefore has ansopporlunll
ID to watch the gradual development OF its ment,
III powers and prOclivities. And how carefull
in should she twine the endrils Of its little hea
u around every proper object, and nip each va
ee thought in the very bud, tick Paud into III
n deadly nightshade of sin, to sink the soul 4
to utter ruin forever! Nay, more-should ID she n
Ill diligently psut every hook of the fresh gard,
ry of its mind with yirtuous sentiments, s...t,
ID. Ere the wild weeds of wickedness take roo
ily Choke up tue soil andyield pernicous fruit
- Ay, she should watch over its Unfolding cha
:" acier with jealous care, and do all she, eau,
Ne render its habits OF thought and action right
'N that it may be an honor to her in ripper yea
- and blessing TO the community in which
lives. -, y. ..4...s.... ..r. .sr,r.,.
-. "I saw neither lead her son high up the h
of fame ,U 'iyi .6npi's. 80. = fett
And point to deeds ofeglory won by many
= sr shining name y 1.'@ frf
- and full many Washington and w ebster, W
- have the public confidence aud guides al
e Ship of State owes his usefulness ddistil
=" tion to a good mothers training. It is v,
= probable that had Washington's mother been
Indifferent TO the education Of her son as so
women are to that of theirs, our country wo
II, never have been free. Bot, thank Heaven
had faithful mother, and he proved no
/" son--meetihg with frmuess the stern respo
us bilites of life in times which tried me
ner, souls, y and wisely guiding gourscoudtry's d
and throughsthe storhsof the Revelation, until
sant rode '(where she still rides) inrep0blican Fl
ever dom and federal safely on the iurgidl Sc
E an time.tsl toe,o ,t1 ~ Ins - s1omssis iter
tsss -ua'' Sail on sail on, o, Snip of State =. :
ling Sail on, Q, Nation, proud and great! !" Z
king and may the balls Of Science on cur shore
This, prove faithful beacon,lights to warn you
nupi- the dark rocks Of destruction and, point out
4 he havens of peacel FISH llHms ~
- Sc IS agSfisq q HsczHsV h. gp8 RaIbns1 sd
'oius The Permaneney Of our government dep'
oraii 'raii upon mental culiureo Without generali
nent' Itgence rnanisHnot supableof seIEigoverht1
CON- therefore, unless the masses are ve0iiehien
on of republic cdnno, long exfst; for, as the, pc
using are the sosereigps, II The people be igno
ers in they cannot properly appreciate their. ri,
g NOT and designing demagogues may soon sui
often the fair fabric of their liberties 10 Get
g and power and place. Therefore, as lovers d
And counuysifswel would perpetuate sahe glo
,rther Union with all the priceless blessings aeei
sfour from eur free institutions, let sspread tiie
u,a are of sef,l kno aledra hrnadcast auar n.