Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1856-04-02
EDUCATION.
Read before the Cumberland Co. Teachers Ias.itts
BY JENNIE BEIsTLINE.


1t will not be expected that I will present
anything new or novel upon the subject of my
choice, which is Education, as that field has
been again and again explored, SO that at this
time, suppose that not stone has been
unturned, or one fountain untasted. But as
the sweet waters of the perennial fount are al
ways pleasant to the taste and invigorating to
the body, so the subject of education is al
ways one of interest to those in pursuit Of its
rich and enduring blessings.
Its happy influences have been seen and felt
in every station of life. Under its genial rays
have been awakened, developed and brought
into active exercise, principles the nobiest,
purest and most promotive of the highest well
fare of the whole human race. 1t has brought
forth latent energies of vigorous minds, and
rendered them in the highest degree useful to
themselves, their fellow-men and their God.
1t has corrected the false teachings of preiu-
dice, broken down and destroyed the strong
holds of superstition and transformed absurd
principles Of morality into morals and devo-
ton, whose Heaven-born precepts tame the
savage mind, disperse the deep, dark shades
of PagaDism and Mahomedanism and control
the actions of all men, in manner, and to
such an extent, as to subserve and fulfil the
design of their creation. 1t has reclaimed
many from the slough of shame and utter con-
tempt and assigned them stations of honor and
profit, by enlighteningt heir darkened under
standings, and calling into action the talent
which heretofore lay concealed in the uacx-
plored recesses of their minds. BY its per-
Suasive and convincing teachings, it has check
ed the dissolute in the indulgence of wicked
and depraved propensities and vicious practi-
tees Itproclaims the position of wise man
to the world to be one of honor and stability.
whilst that of fool is one of hazard, rocking
to and fro, while beneath, tempestuous billa,vs
OF indignation and contempt are constantly
rolling, ever ready TO swallow up the victim of
blind desire and groundless hopes, and con.
sign him to regions OF obvious forgetfulncss
1t is uniyersailv believed thstTthie y a--y..i
of utility, and Of all utiltarians the American
seems to be the most ultra. 1t is principle
bequeathed from father to son, from mother to
daughter, and being once generally difused,
of necessity makes itself known in every ac-
tion.
In proof of the universally of this princi-
pie in this country, we need but refer you to
the extensive internal improvements of all the
States-to the railroads and canals which like
the actions and views of healthy man, con- |
vey the fluid Of life to every part of the sys- |
ten and render the actions of the whole har- |
monious. Nor has less utility been eyinced |
IN the happy turn of late years given to sci |
,nce, in its adaptation to agriculture and the |
1ther useful arts
Education, once only known in the halls Of |
science and literature, has now become the
landmaid of the arts, and equally adorns the
mind of the peasant and prince.
1t is subject especially dear to every truly
american heart. Around it cluster some Of
he most romantic and beautiful reflections
with our free and liberal institu-
ions. These are Americas boasts To them
an American freemen exultingly point and
ay-"There, behold the palladium of our free
Lom, the guarantee of its permanence p
these are the offspring of minds enlightened
nd refined by the two-fold influence of expe-
ience and education.
The great superiority of our system of edu-
alton over that of other lands manifests it.
elf, when comparison is made between the
rec institutions of our country, and those of
ther men and times. The limited advantages
education under governments either ancient
+ modern, which are not established upon the
lme principles, and administered with refer
nee to the highest good of the governed a.
me, are here extended so as to be accessible
} all desirous of attaining respectable posi-
on, in a land overfowing with books and op-
ortunities for the requirement of that knowl- .
ige indispensable to our success in investi- !
ating the multitudinous and enchanting works q
Gods creation. q
So far as civilization has kept pace with the
'ogress of education, so far have the mists of J
perstition been driven away, and the voices d
tyranny and despotism hushed. True, the
lcient Greeks, may boast, and justly, too, of
Socrates, Plato, a Pythagoras and De- "
osthenes- the Romans of a Tacitus a Livy II
Horace and Cicero but we blush not in X
cir presence, when we call to mind the names
a Franklin, an Adams, a Clay, Calhoun, D
Webster, and host of others, equally bril-
mt in the galaxy of our philosophers, states o
sn and orators.
Our facilities of acquiring an education are
doubtedly superior to theirs. Their labor, -
cir experience and researches have in great :"
.asure been handed down to us, and furnish n
us with material upon which to enlarge and ~
prove. The government itself has almost in ~
itely multiplied the advantages for the in
uction of all classes; and whilst it has no. sr
and literally encouraged our academies, in
Ileges and other seminaries of learning, it w,
5 by no means neglected the Free Schools de