Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1858-01-20
Education and the Press.

u defence, that may be reared by any peo-1 :
pie. 1t is the grand motive power of mind ! !
which moves men to action, and, wherever !
July developed, establishes faculty of dis I !
elimination that cannot be imposed upon
by sonlless tyrants, on seheming and ambi-
tious men. tt creates and neurishes feel :. .
inc of independence that cannot be annihi-
eyer - sn snlllghkeo us !.
cdicts of fierce despotisul inasmuch as its4
field of operations lies closely allied to tie
immortal and vitalizing principle Of mind.
No outward circumstances can obliterate
or efface IFS teachings the impressions
made by it, are as unfading and lasting as
words of wisdom chiseled into eternal gran
ite. 1t kindles within man the latent fires
of sublime aspiration, and gives to mind a
just conception of individual right, as well
as Of duty to its kindred associates Lib .
erty has no more faithful exponent and pro-
lection; education first descries through i
the dim and misty future the approach Of I
tyranny, and furnishes to man the most et- /
fectud means OF counteractlng It's ruinous
tide. Genius can speak through it in tones I
that can awake the slumbering energies of
whole nations and call into action all the I
hidden beauties Of mind-that spark Of di- |
vine origin, which, without education, must
waste its brilliancy upon the impenetrable
gloom Of mental darkness.
Mind, without a stimulating or revivify-
ing principle, must perish amid the unim-
proved qualifications Of natural genius. No
one, however promising and admirable his
talents, can attain to anything like cmi-
nence, without the aid of this life-giving
principle-education. Like the physical
constitution of man, mind requires some
thing to slack its thirst and satisfy its crav-
ings, in the absence of which, it loses its
original tone and dignity, sinks into lethar-
gic carelessness in which condition it has
no choice of food, but becomes satiate with
the unwholesome sustenance that designing
men may force upon it.
Education has proved itself to be, when
ever properly applied, an effectual safe
guard against the invasion OF mind, by the
watchful sentinels of depraved human ma
ture, which stand upon the threshold await
inq the command to enter into and despoil
every hneament Of nobility. Obser-
N..eaon entirely corroborates the assumption
OhebG JAC uilCUUCIGu dnQ 1lIlLCTdlC SODS Ol
men, are made the plant material of dis
kQnsst aenlago 1net and essssss5k efs, who
with plastic hands fashion ifSafter their de-
signs. The well educated mind would hurl
back to their origin any and every ground
less protestation of honesty, while the mar
rowed faculties Of the uninformed would
drink to the dregs the profered cup, and
imagine they did their duty.
Correct judgment is the legitimate off
spring of thoroughly educated mind it
enables man to see things in their undis-
guised nature, and draw from their very
character correct inference in regard to
their tendency. If such be the fruits ot
education, does it not become the para
mount duty of every commonwealth to es
tablish system which will not confne it.
self to any circumscribed sphere, but which
will expand until it embraces every mem
Der of such confederacy. Cast an obsery
ing eye around and see to what extent oul
own Carolina has furnished the bone anc
sinew Of her people, with this most inval
liable gift, than which, no more permanen
and impressive monument exists. Aroun'
whom, has she strewn the golden facilitie
Z of information but those whose treasure ca
reimburse the outlay made to secure it 2
Let those who assume to be the personif
cation of democratic principle, see to it tina
ignorance does not advance beyond tn
time made by the impartial regulation
they profess to make for the general goo
| Of their constituents. 1t may be urged b
some that the benefits derived, will not iu:
| tify the labor and expense incurred in th
5 establishment of more comprehensive sy:
tenn, on the ground that all men do not d,
t sign to pursue calling of a literary or PR
fessionaE character Sufficient evidence
it Of their sense, that they think it enoug
/ that the honest yeomanry be versed in th
r process Of producing the staple products
S the country, and that the tradesmen full
|, the varied requisites of their respective a
: ocations. They entirely lose sight of I'll
: somewhat significant and irrefutable trutI
t that these latter classes furnish as muc
and as equally productive material for ed
: cation to operate upon, as do those who a
Z, placed in more conspicuous positions. G;
: the claims of the worthy son of Vulcan
l. ignored and the demands of the tillers
Is the soil not honored with an answer, al
v yet justice maintain her character. Ed
9 cation adap4s itself tothe utility of all ella:
], es. Hence all have common interest
t, It's universal dissemination, except that ella
r who manufacture. capital upon the ign
If rance of the masses, and To- which mai
i, owe their success in the scheming purst
i Of popularity.
in In the absence of more direct Al
r thorough system Of education, the newsE
IN per press is made to. assume an importa
Ist position, as guardian of the peoples righ
A responsibility of no little signifcati
rests upon the shoulders of him who
= sumes to take position, among the corps
i its conductors. One Of its peculiar duti
he as we think, is to lay before its readers t
no pros and cons, of political and moral qu
n. tions, in as simple and familiar style as c
ne rect photography will admit in order Il
% the most ilIiterate may be able to obsel
m and grasp the truth, as with intuit
he Neutrality-suspicious. travelling the volur
,er nous circuit Of Webster's unabridged e
an ton. It should be based upon prlncip
nd of manly independence-"al always willing
he praise, but never afraid to censure
hat community Of personal interest should
i'm allowed to assess its columns for the fur
erance of secret designs, or awe into slle