Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1856-03-27
For the Fayetteville Observer.
EDUC A TON.

agitation should be more highly APP
preciated than the one proposing to
advance the great enterprise of Edu-
cation. Notwithstanding this is trite
theme, and probably uninteresting to
many of your readers, yet, the very
simplicity and utility of the subject
make it sublime in the vision of every
lover of his country. / feel my In
adequacy to delineate fully the impor-
lance of the subject, and to trace it
through all its various departments;
still, as no enterprise should be impe-i
ded when promising such benign and
happy results to all who are DESTROYS
of enjoying the quantum Of human
felicity, propose laying before the
people of Lincoln county few sug-
Egestions on this vitality important
theme. 1t is admitted by all states
men that our iIlustrious Republic is
based upon the true principles of Ed
lucation; consequently, it is impera-
lively required of us, as true patriots,
to disseminate widely every principle
involved in this noblsst of causes.
There are two kinds of Education,
moral and intellectual, in the absence
of either of which no individual, how
ever high may be bis position in the
eyes Of a giddy band Of sycophants,
can be happy. Let it be remembered,
that the associations and assemblages
of young ladies and gentlemen at
dancing parties and other similar con-
courses-lhere for the lovely danes
5of our country to exhibit with ambi-
dexterity their expertness in waltzing
land fantastic flippancy, and for our
young men upon whose broWs should
he evident marks of a we'll cultivated
intellect, enabling them to act with
honor and usefulness in every position
Ito which they may be called by their
countrymen, to endorse and tolerate
such and give it the tide of popular
favor, comes not under the head OF
moral Education. In the first place,
then, moral Education should be pre-
eminent. Without this, intellectual
superiority would be curse rather
than blessing to the human family.
All history, ancient and modern, am
ply demonstrates the fact, It is, in
deed, the Alpha and Omega of ma
tons greatness, usefulness and pros
perity, and the grand palladium of re-
ligious and political freedom. And
as a free and independent people, and
wishing to preserve and duly appre-
ciate our republican banner as it I'M
Ifurls it's graceful folds to the genial
influences of liberty, and protects the
poor and the rich from the oppression
of tyranny and mad ambition, we
should adopt, as our polar star, well
regulated system of popular education.
Then we will be prepared to meet,
with stability and undaunted intrepid
lily, the putrefactions of political
Icreeds, and destroy the power Of their
potent influence. Then we may be
enabled to detect with accuracy the
|imperfections and improprieties of to-
pics that so often create contention
and discord in the conducting of our
public affairs. We have many Illus
trious old fathers now among us, ap-
probating the advancement of a bet
ter system of school operations
They are men who watch with a pa
triotic eye the temple Of freedom and
the glory of our destiny when exposed
to the attacks of an infuriated enemy.
They are men whose only ambition is
to establish on firm foundation our
scholastic institutions. Ihumbly hope
that the time is not far distant, when
these sentiments will become pradom-
Iinant. Then will education, free as
Che winds of heaven and healing as
the ''balm of Gilead," be impaired to
every youth in the country, to devel-
ope his faculties, purify his affections,
and elevate his hopes and aspirations.
How often is it the case that youths
of the brightest natural talents and
most exalted virtue, from the want Of
intellectual culture and the means of
developing properly their mind in all
its complex machinery, have been
crushed down with unmitigated sor-
row, and deprived Of the sweets Of
social bliss and domestic happiness,
How true are the beautiful words of
the Poet:
Full many gem of purest ray serene,
The dark unfathomed caves of ocean bear;
Full many flower is born to blush unseen,
And waste its sweetness in the desert air.
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