The River Falls journal. (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1857-1861, 1857-07-08

III GuIIieseo AHts lAfsi lAf's VI AeNs-y }
but far better wero It as frigid as Iceland,
with tho intelligence and integrity of the
Ioelander, than to be salubrious, with the
ignorance, and superstition and treachery
Of the Italian. Commerce may thrive,
but if men barter conscience for gold, and
sacrifice every moral obligation for wealth
their prosperity makes their ultimate
ruin more sure and speedy. The coun-
try may be threaded with railroads, but
ignorance and It's concomitants are better
at home than abroad: and better be
shut away from lures to vice, than expo
sed to It's guided bats.
Every stream may be subsidized, and
its waters may rush from the wheel ofone
giant mill into the fume of another, but
If the owners are slaves of passion or Gu
pidity, and the operators are vicious and
ignorant, you will find their products in
jails and penitentiaries, as well as in ware
rooms.
Indeed, you may increase the products
Of industry and the facilities OF commerce
q thousand fold, by all the appliances Of
cam or water power, but it will not en-
Ire to any people substantial prosperity
le higher blessings that must come from
riyate virtue, the diffusion of knowledge,
nd happy educational influences.
II is then matter Of policy, and 1t
ought to be of principle, for every place
to make early provision for such school
as is here contemplated; especially where
manufacturing interests ere likely to be-
como leading pursuit. If deferred but
a few wears, it would come too late to
forestall the taste Of the young for deba-
sing amusements and fashionable frivoh-
ties; too late to inspire a taste for literary
pursuits and scientific attainments, too late
to aid Religion in enforcing her claims to
the talents and influence of youth; and,
by consequence, they would soon become
the leading men and women Of society,
impressing upon successive generations OF
Of citizens, traits that Patriotism would
bevail, and Christianity must deprecate.
The result is similar where such instltu-
tons have been erected for no other end
than to enhance the value of property: to
build up village, and make it rich, not
in mon, but misers; attractive. not IN
wisdom and refinement, in social and NOR
al worth, but in the monied institutions,
banks, exchange offices, hotels and munic-
ipal arrangements.
A few years will leave the motives un-
disguised, and tell whether, they were ded-
icated to Mammon or Minerva, whether
they were the offspring, of enlightened be-
nevolenee, intelligent patriotism and chrs-
tan love; or whether they were intended
merely IS lures to immigration, nucleus
for financial operations, If pecuniary-
considerations, have prodominated, you
will find, that just so soon rs more lucra-
tive establishments have arisen, they will
supplant such an institution in the re-
CARDS of the people, and it will dwindle
and die, producing an apathy or aversion
to all educational interests, that is vastly
more prejud;eial to future progress, than
blank barbarism.
But if it was intended as permanent ar
rangement, if it was built in good faith
for It's own sake, irrespective of those col
LATERAL advantages, that are inseparable
from every worthy public enterprise, it
will grow with its surroundings, and years
will only add to its usefulness, its endow-
ments and its dignity. 1t will give our
village consideration abroad, and make
it the Rochester of this region; not in by
draulic wealth and Importance, but in the
conservative influences of christian culture.
1t viii cherish in our youth literary
taste, desire for knowledge, enlarged
views of life, enrolling sentiments of truth
and duty, of patriotism and piety, till our
'sons shall be as plants gown up in their
youth, and our daughters as corner stones,
polished after the s;militude of pal
zee.
Such results win identify its founders
with the benevolent movements of the age
and minister to their consolation when the
unsutstantial schemes of life, are fading
away before the visions of eternity.
1t comes then to be q question Of mo
ment whether this ineipient Institution
shall succeed, and answer your reasona-
be expectations. This will depend on
two agencies, the teachers and the people.
We are aware that this range of thought
will make the subject just here, both per
sonal and delicate, but we proceed and
throw the responsibility upon those who