The Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1859-1865, 1863-11-05

SHall TeaiiAe now eacH age Wouiu TeuFlin
in almost total ignorance of the preceding
ones were it not for this useful science, as
developed in history. Nor need [ show
how it is the key to all other sciences, as
affording the chief means of investigation
and keeping on record that which is
discovered. 7 shall allow these to suffice
with this passing notice.
No language, however beautiful, howev-
er well adapted to al the purposes of the
man of science, the historian, the poet and
the orator, is free from the danger of
deteriorating into multitude of dialects.
But few bonds of union are stronger among
men than that of speaking the same tongue.
To be cast among those whose words
convey no meaning to your ear, Is to be
cut off from almost all communication of
spirit, and is a fate but little better than
isolation. To meet in a strange land,
among people of foreign tongue, one
whose words are your words, is to meet
but little less than brother.
I$If these things are so-and [ think they
will not be gainsayed-then we may con-
clude that whatever tends to detract from
the goodness or the purity of our language,
is foe to our harmony and our oneness.
No words are sweeter, none more
musical to .he ear, nor do any satisfy the
soul so we'll as those in which mother
taught the infant lips to pray and father
gave his counsel. Time cannot efface our
love for them; nor can change alter their
sweetness. In hours of deepest grief they
have carried the balm of consolation to the
wounded spirit. In moments of greatest
exultation they have given expression 10
the hearts deepest joy. All that has
moved us to pity, or driven US to anger,
has reached our compassion or resentment
through these. Hence it is that even a
difference of accent CRATES on the ear
Unity of language, no less than unity of
sentiment, maintains people in bonds OF
union, whether in Divine worship, in social
intercourse, or in any other respect. On
the other hand, difference in language,
incong"uity in speech, divides, alienates,
and distracts. My plea, therefore, is, that
between the sands on either seashore. and
those of the Northern lakes, the English
tongue shall be spoken in all possible
purity, free from all dialectic proclivlties
and barbarous provincialisms. Not that [
suppose the majority Of men will ever
speak in strict accordance with grammati-
cal rules, but that barbarisms and corrup-
tions may not supplant the good Anglo
Saxon speech.
But while the study of grammar has an
almost unlimited power in causing correct
ness in speech, it has other influences no
less momentous. Not only is it essential
to any one who would attain to compre-
hensive reading, or to becoming person
of general intelligence, but it also exercises
no slight power in the formation of
national character. The language of
refined people is the vehicle and preserver
of all the nobler thoughts, all the higher
aspirations, and all the beautiful imagery
which the mind can think, to which the
soul can aspire, or which the Imagination
can picture. He who understands his own
language has at his command the learning
and wisdom of his own day and of past
ages If his intellect should seek food for
thought, if his Imagination would revel, or
if his patriotism would be aroused, he will
find that his mother tongue has kept in
sgood preservation ample qualification FOR
all these desires. If-say for the first
time-he should be about to exercise the
highest privilege of a citizen, and Is In
doubt as to the policy for which he should
exercise his prerogative, he need only turn
to the record of his country and be
informed But all these privileges are
denied him who, horn in our own land,
fails to acquire proper acquaintance with
his mother tongue.
| know that young men sometimes
excuse themselves or are excused by others
from the study of this branch on the
ground that they will occupy but humble
positions in life But what should be
said, or rather what should not be said, of
these who use such argument? Not
counting the avenues of wealth and honor
open to all, yet that each one may be fitted
to act his part as good and intelligent
citizen, the land is dotted with places of
learning, and their doors thrown wide
open and all invited to enter, but you turn
away, saying, at is not wcrth while
There are too many poor readers; too
many who read without being able to
grasp the kernel of thought lying beneath
the earb of words. There are too many
who have no idea of the structure of
language too many who cling to system
that does not deal enough in the relation,
power and government of words. We had
better, after inculcating its fundamental
principles, throw the Arithmetic from the
school room than have the child grow to