The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1883-05-31

- RnOWleOge. ana not mere ac-
cumulator of what Is known.
Possibly, yes. probably, the last at
tempt of the human race in solving
the great problem of democratic
self government, is now on trial.
The attempt has be n made, and we
know the esult. The rugged, tho
vIrtuOns Spartan, yielded TO the p0-
/ lite, fined, but corrupt Atlrenlan;
! G in turn to the Macedonian con-
queror. The Republic of Brutus and
CollatinuS, lasted for time; but
soon, the accumulation Of great
wealth in the hands Of few, cor
ruptiOn in high places and the deg
! radiation of the elective franchise,
! sapped its foundations, and it fell an
easy prey into the hands Of the
! Caesars.
: In modern times, Republican Eng
land continued only during The life
time of the Protector, and France, as
a Republic, is theme FIR gene raj
ridicuIe.
That education Of the voters, while
it may help. does not guarantee the
stability of democratic form OF
government, is admitted. The emf
nent English Biologist, Mr.. Herbert
Spencer, who lately visited this coun-
try to examine into our social rela
tons and democratic institutions, as
the result Of that visit, is reported 10
have said, "that we were yet 1ar
from determining the question, OF
the capacity of man fDr self govern
ment that the educated man Is nof
always the patriotic citizen. That
purity in the administration OF
public affairs, integrity in pubic
men, has not kept pace with the ad-
vance in art, science or education"
He saw great peril 10 the simplicity
of republican institutions in the
colossal fortunes possessed by the
few, and their luxurious modes OF
life. The question Of monopoly, he
thought, would tax the statesman
ship of the Wisest, while the enor-
nous influx of foreign born peoples,
introducing new customs, ueW ideas
) of government, new elements of dis
cord and unrest in the country,
should be subject of the gravest
concern. Mr.. Spencer might we'll
have added, that the tendency of our
agricultural population to leave the
, cultivation Of the soil for the more
! attractive judgments of CONNER
, cial business and the consequent
building up of cities and towns at tht
expense of the country, is an alarm
, ing feature Of our social life.
That large cities, the great centres
, Of money, manufacture and trade
are factors in Il country's progress
-, and development, is not denied; bu
: hey have been called ''sOrc spots oil
: The body polite" Poverty ant
! -qualIOr, vice and misery, walk the
streets of our New Works and Chica
: Cos, which transplanted to the pure
Il air and independence Of farming
: life would rebound to the welfare o
: the Nation. 1t is a. true tO~day a:
, it was in Goldsmith's time;
LII fares the land, to fastening Ills
] prey,
=: Where wealth accumulates, and mer
, decay,
r, Princes and Lords may flourish, Or may
; fade,
, A breath can make them as breat tn ha>
t But a bold peasantry, their country,
:, When onca daetreysa, cau never pt
supplied
4 These subjects, matters of so mucs
, importance TO us as people, it seem:
/ eminently judiciOus TO call to you
6 consideration, young gentlemen. or
such occasions as the present. You
exceptional advantages Of education
2 Of the Times in which you live, en-
tail upon you peculiar responsible
= ties.
You stand on the vantage ground
: VIII .ch centuries Of experience in the
e art of imparting knowledge, places
e you, Old ways of teaching, old
e books of instruction, Old traditions
I are giving way, to new ways, new
V books, no traditions. The curricu
! lum yields to the elective course
e special schools for the study of par
: tlcular subjects are provided; and i
: would seem the human intellect ha:
: no bounds set to its widest specula.
h tons. What next? | have heard il
5 regretted of one of our great and
rich Universities, that so many O
2 its Professors are 50 scientific-G
e should say, so unscientific) that they
= believe in nothing but the revea-
] tons Of sci once, and that as science
: tell them nothing of the christians
e God, they do not believe in the God
; of the Bible.
, Again. 1t seems to be the fashion,
d whenever it can be done, to get
learned men from abroad to fill Ou1
: professional chairs; as superior teach
t erS to our own educators. Such men
c having abandoned their own cOun
i try and taking no special interes,
d in the country of their adoption, il
Il would seem, that they could not be
u the best teachers to instil in the
g hearts Of their pupils, love and
), admiration for American Institu
: tons and q determination to per
r petuate them. This brings me to
the consideration of the subject !
e would especially impress upon YOU
e this afternoon.
/ The union of religious teachings
E with education, and the Indictment
n to love Of country in the hearts OF
n our youth. That religion and pa
: triotism should go hand in hand in
t forming the character of the young
] is proved by the history of those
/ Nations where such union prevailed.
That religion is absolutely necessary
t tor the establishment of civil gov-
: eminent, is a truth so far from BEING
5 denied, that we meet with too MANY
who are unwilling to allow any otho
r er design in sacred Institutions. As
= long as their religion was kept un
? detiied, and obedience to the ordi
: nances of their CID prevailed, the
/ people of l>riael We're victorious over
: their enemies abr rad, prosperous and
!; happy AT home. Infidelity was soon
followed by the separation and dispor,
! |,sicn of the ten tribes, then succeeded
: the captivity of Babylon, th4 des-