Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1876-01-06
y. PENoBSCoT, Dec. -.
VI. Editor:

M Editor:
As you have kindly offered column of
the American to the teachers of this COun-
". allow me 10 make few suggestions In
regard % an institution which. more than
all others, if properly conducted, would
tend to promote general culture. | refer
to the Lyceum.
Permit me TO suggest as briefly as can,
some OF the benefits that w,nld accrue
I fronn well-regulated Lyceum.
/. 1t would tend TO develop originali-
ty OF thought. power of reasoning. and
clear and forcible expression.
,. IL would tend 10 create a wider and
deeper interest 10 the leading moral. and
political questions of the day.
3. II would tend to inspire sef-confi.
dence. and destroy self-c0ncelt.
Every one who participates in discussion
regardless ofhis calling orprofes,ion would
stand upon his own merits. subjec. TO
scrutini=iRg criticism. and would get a more
just conception of his own intellectual pow
er, and just conception Of ones own i'm.
lOIl /, rs ts>GlLidi 10 nun As 4 rt8 ulA-
tor is to a watch.
4. BY absorbing the attention of the
community In questions of importance, it
| would do away with deal OF gossip, and
frivolous discussion in the domestic circle,
which tend to contract the mind and blunt
the sensibilities. Instead of individuals for
topics. we should have ideas and princi-
pies.
FIT would;tend to rectity errors, and cor
rect abuses, and generated purer and more
just public sentiment on moral questions.
G. 1t would call forth latent talent
which perhaps would otherwise forever lie
buried IN the pit OF self-reserve.
There is nothing like IA lively discussion
to cause self-forgetfulness and tempt out
on the threshold of expression hidden
thoughts. Some of the most distinguished
thinkers and speakers of our times received
their first inspiration at an obscure Lyce-
| um.
Anna Dickinson, when but mere girl o f
IL. made her first public effort at Lyceum
under the excitement of some assertions
which were opposed to her sense of honor
and justice, and in a scathing speech OF
great power, she displayed that force and
energy of expression, which have since dis
tinguished her as public speaker.
l. By creating an interest in the sub
jects proposed for discussion, it would in.
! cite to reading and open various sources
of information, and be the means Of spread
ing healthful, and well-digested thoughts
through the community. Our colleges,
seminaries, and high schools, to some ex-
tent maintain these mental gymnasiums,
and we hope the time is not distant when q
Lyceum will be established 10 every COM
munity, and rank next to our common
schools in important mental training. so
that youth may be early taught to think
and speak for themselves.
To insure the greatness and permanency
of our nation. we do not so mnch need re-
gatta clubs, an army of pedestrians, or pIgi-
lists or even well-trained militia, As we do
an army of Independent thinkers to battle
with willy politicians. religious imposters
aud infatuated demagOgues, men of clear
discernment who shall be able to distin-
guish between logic and sophistry, truth
and error. practical truth aud fallacious
theories. Ii.