The Cadiz Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1854-1864, 1857-12-23


other people On the globe, save those who i'm
mediately surround them. amongst such .
people are no Sabbath or day-schoOls, and the
sound Of the ehurch bell IS unheard; no friend
of humanity is there, who might speak Of the
wisdom that cometh from above; no one who, 10
the capacity Of teacher. mightdis the young
minds Of hsAthendom 70 the contemplation of
seieaes and ths wonders Of nature None of
the great D.ediums through which knowleslg,e is
imraEtsl are there; the printing press, that
great instrumentality ofintellgencc is not there
10 illulninate the b0nighted minds Of natures
swsrthy sons; no literary institutions are there,
Whose purpose it is TO disSipate ignorance and
dispense uSefal Instruction; no benevolent aSso-
cations are iormed for the purpose of atfording
relief TO the sick, the poor, miserable and desti-
tuto. Its not to be supposed tl;.s the political
state OF such people would be IN advance of
their social condition They have no claim to
Il regular form of government; they may have a
dull, stupid ruler, who has little interest in the
prosperity of his people, and who consequently
exercises little control over their general affairs
or if he happens 20 possess somewhat more cum
ming and shrewdness than his subjects, he may
be downright, hard hearted, and relentless ty-
rant. The important science of politics is not
understood, thorough knowlege ofwhieh is es-
sential to the enactment and administrat zion
of Just laws, No one is qualified TO act as a
public minister, and there lore they have no am
| bassadors at foreign courts. The true welfare
Of the people is probably not consulted by the
ruling power, personal ease and sell ltaggrandize-
ment forming the great aim Of the chel nagis-
trate. But it is unnecessary to proceed farther
in detail. The wisest potentate on earth, were
| he placed over an extremely ignorant nation,
could not perhaps govern it on any correct prn-
/ ciples ifhe would attempt to form democratic
! government he would doubtless fail, from the
TACT that his people are not in possession Of the
requisite amount of intelligence, and are conSe-
quently incapable Of selEgoyernment "lhe
strong predjudices, and restricted trains oi
| thought" says an eminent wliter OF modern
times, (which are common TO an unlirnishcd
mind, are obvious TO all who come in contact
with it. Rude manners and contempt of just
laws, distinguish an uuedueated community
The preceding remarks principally apply to man
in the lowest state ofsocety, but the social and
political condition Of all classes OF people ma
terially depends on their state Of improvement,
and the degree OF knowledge they possess The
contemplation of society elevated by the gtne-
raj diffusion Of the principles Of knowledge,
| forms more pleasing task. We may be par
doned for enumerating few of the most promi-
nen. features which distinguish enlightened
communities from those involved in mC ntal and
moral darkness. In the first place we sec a
regularly ordained ministry; the Gospel is faith
fully preached, and every man is pointed to the
means of moral redemption. The fundamental
doctrines Of Christianity are promulgated both
Fl ON the pulpit and by the press and the means
Of religious instruction are ample and various
In the next place We behold d we'll organized
government. and an excellent system OF COM
men schools, the great medium through whicl
! knowledge is spread broadcast over the land.-
| The arts and sciences are cultivated extensively
and works Of general improvement, such rs
common roads, bridges, railroads and canals are
abundant Benevolent Institutions are numer-
Gus, books and newspapers are among the ma
hy sources of information, and through thor-
ough course of moral, mental, and physical
training, man is raised TO his true dignity as d
rational being. Civilized and enlightened ma
tons afford the only examples Of true political
| greatness. j ust and wholesome laws distin-
guish such people, and tho general good, the
protection, prosperity and happiness of all, form
the basis OF all legislative enactments. If then
there is aueh vast difference between the So
cial and political conditions Of the intelligent
and ignorant classes of mankind, and if this
disparity is essentially owing to their different
degrees of enlightenment, is it not then socially
and politically Necessary that VIC should educ tte?
The prosperity and happiness Of nation de-
pend on the virtue and intelligence of the peo-
pie composing it. We are free and prosper.
Gus people, and our mental progress as such,
should be co-extehsiye with ou national pros
perty. We must educate! The interests OF
both church and State proclaim this as our i'm
perious duty. The good of society, and the
welfare of the people generally. call on us in
language too plain to be misunderstood, and de-
manl a serious consideration Of this important
subject. AMERicus.