Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1885-03-21
For THE HERALD.
PURITY In EDUCATORS AND EDU-
GATED MEN ESSENTIAL TO OUR
C0UNTRY'S WELFARE.
BY DIR. GERHARDT.

good as he is corrupt or pure; the
former in a narrow, the latter in a
wider sphere. The welfare of CON-
mnnity and the safety of q country
demand that all should be upright
and pure.
A nation may be compared to an
individual. The analogy may at
first seem faint, bnt the more we
reflect, the clearer it will appear.
The health of the human body re-
quires that the several members with
I'LL the arteries and veins perform,
with exactness, their peculiar func-
tions. Ii they do not, either violeat
commotion Or general languor will
ensue, and unless prevented by
speedy remedy, the result will be it's
final dissolution.
So the wheels of government in a
nation must move with ease, uni
forInity and regularity; and to this
end it is necessary that there sIlonld
be nice balance OF power,-tIlat
every class and order of men
should punctually aud conscientious.
IL discharge the duties which come
within the limits OF their legitimate
sphere, and that all act in mutual
concert for che common good.
The rank and position which men
of learning occupy is such as to ex.
ert powerful influence upon the
morals and conduct of the mass of
the nation. AS the eye is not only
the most delicate, but most neces.
sary member in the human machin-
cry, the least natural blemish, or the
smallest injury it receives is most
severely felt by the whole frame. 1t
is not only guide to our step, but
also source of a very essential part
of our happiness.
Similarly the whole machinery of
our schools, from the lowest to the
highest may with equal propriety be
termed a guide to our nation, for
from them proceed those who till her
most important stations, and into
their hands the reins of government
are committed; and the happiness
of people and the prosperity Of
their country are generally proper
tionate to the character and ability
of their rulers.
Public schools, academies, colleges
and universities are the fountains
whence issue streams that diffuse
themselves throughout country;
and ifthe fountains be corrupt and
impure, so will the streams that issue |
therefrom be, and the result will be
immortality, vice and corruption in
high places. We may then see our
Congress, Senators, House of Repre-
sentatives and Courts of Justice
filed with men corrupt and vicious,
linen whose chief aim will be to |
aggrandize themselves at the ex-
pense of the interests, security and
safety Of their constituents. Their
luxury must be supported by oppres-
sion, fraud and usurpation, till by
their pernicious example the con-
tagion will gradually diffuse itself
through the inferior ranks, and vice
with all its frightful train of woes
will range uncontrolled, striking
every beholder with terror, and
spreading universal destruction.
This is not mere chimera; it is
founded in the nature of things, and
authenticated by numerous examples
in the history of nations.
Persons III the humble walks of
life turn their eyes on those who
move in higher spheres and from
them form, in great measure, their
conduct and manners. Supposing
them to be better informed, what
ever becomes fashionable and re.
ceives universal sanction among
them, must be right. Thus a whole
nation whose leaders are corrupt,
like man who is blind, approaches
the precipice Of ruin.
II this be just representation,
what caution should teachers and
students take to prevent leading and
falling viscious courses. If there
be IA spark of humanity or patriot
ism or a seed of virtue in the mind
of teacher and student, how assidu-
GUS will he their endeavors to furnish
and acquire that correct moral, mith
the intellectual, culture which shall
be blessing to them and to their
country.
A Maine farmer had a wifi, who