The Portage County Democrat. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1863-09-02

treasure, and credi,,-I say. when we groupe
all these images of living realities together,
in one panoramic view, and feel that we are
actaally experiencing them all, we may we'll !
heed the admonition 10 Rejoice with trenl-
bling, The admnbition comes with grayer
accents still, when we are forced to the conA
clusien, that after all we are to owe our final
dellverance, and ultimate prosperity, to the
transforming, coaserva vative power of Christian
education. Burke has we'll remarked, that
EpycAroN Is THE CHEAP DEFENsE OF Ma
TIoNs,, l1asals
Cafistian education Is 70 to be our defence
!" LIS mission is to presccupy the forming mind
throughout this great republic, with the prin,
ciples of virtue and piety--to SOW the good
seuds and keep out the tarss-Ato teach all the
rising millions of a mighty empire, as they
comesup snceessively into life, their relations
to God, and their fellow-men, their high tlu-
ties, and their immortal destiny. tits to en-
tighten the understanding. and educate the
heart; to make virtuoas and happy families,
and neighborhoods; to make good men and
good scitizens,-good r,ilers,- good and LOYAL
subjects Of the King of Heaven: and as y
matter of course, gJod peaceable subjects of a
republican government.
Our government is not government of
force, but of influence. Its only sure basis is
eltC siAtttc sttfus pfetV oil ttlc peOpic. atllicS
and navies avail to fix the boundaries of,
states and empires. but they cannot save a
people. Abstract from this nation the life
giving power of that Christian education, that.
issought by us, snd you may plant thesoil of
thecountry with swords and bayonets-you
may coMpel degenerate race to cringe, at
the foot of throne; and you may proudly
construct the monuments of national servi-
tude, with cannon upon the battle field; but
without the living principle of moral recti-
tude, in the mass of the people, no country
can long be free and happy"
Suppose now, that the arm of military
power shall avail to restore peace again, in all
the land, there will tillremmn a work ofsub-5
limest nature, and loftiest magnitude the
work of athorough and speedy Christian ed
ucation, of all classes. II we mistake not,
this is the one great indispensable, lesson
which tho God of Providence is enforcing
upon the whole nation, in letters of FIRE and
blood. Never, NEVER, has there been so loud
call for tho immediate aad complete invest
ment of the whole country with the various
institutions Of learning, of science, and litera-
ture--and of the various arts--with colleges,
acadamies, high schools, and common schools,
and every needed institution for training up
the entire rising geseration, in every thing that
can effect the natioH's enlightenment and
moral strength All our deserving institu-
tions, should be invested with teachers, male
and female, with pecuniary means, and with
pupils. This is as necessary now, as it was
two years ago to equip and man eur forts, and
arsenals, and batteries, and ships. Let the
same economical hberality be shown here as
in the army and navy, and what happy and
glorious results may we not expect, in the fu-
ture? Prevention is cheaper and safer than
cure.
Conioinea with the yarieus institutions
limited at, already, shosld be "a well regulated
Sabbath School In every village, net sabsti-
tute for, but an efficient ally of home train
ing. In word, the whole nation should
awake in earnest to combat che two great
enemies of our government, ignorance and
vice. Iotelligencs, integrity, virtue and pie
ty, are to suppiant ignorance and vice, or we
shall soon be ruined people. Nothing is
more certain. Let then the pulpit and the
President take che lead in this great invest
ment of the nation, with the necessary means
of its own enlightenment, elevation and se-
curity. Let thslnoble enterprise engross the
thoughts, talents, labors, and pecuniary means
ef the people, aud let it be the great and
emulous work at hand; and let it cease
not till the nation is fortified against
her greatest enemies, ignorance and
vice. And let it be our chief cause
Of rejoicing to-day, that we may take part in
this noble, and enobling work--this safe,
PEACEFUL sure means of national i'm prov ement
and defence that we may share In the sub
lime result. And who kneweth, whether
thoi art come to the kingdom, for such time
a q