‘. V 2' ‘é   v v " ‘; . ,, q A ,
wwnw §.\\‘1L‘l-W aw, *Ms.\‘€a.\h vmcm '\ ~.v.w nwnvm I mg. ‘my my, gm
9; A '%b~ g ryfiwmncuv‘ vaawm-*7 ‘mma:/k “ W W

€§'i\f\‘i‘

_ i
‘§‘£\\‘:!§

$1 .\\"t\\‘

%j L
»A
 

-.\\\\\‘ -_:s\\?s'|5‘. *3?‘

. $.23‘ kgaea.

~ V 'v.&:«*§/;;.‘ ' ‘ ‘ ‘ ' ,;‘ ‘ N’ we; I , 

H” M‘ re E “m : . 4 94‘ “ '». P ‘ V W ‘/ ~‘ ~ g '. .

‘ ‘xu *‘.uw'a\mm~§ ».f-arm was-r3§-‘ mm mm mm; ‘ w mrw M.‘ ~Wm'v~‘. NM t“ ‘*\M“»'«;;}\ ‘ -"w~‘W
fig‘ Or I I M,  .  W \ W , .  5‘. N, . win, ~« 1!! A  fiw , l a 9 r. ‘ 

,, Q
 5‘

.A..1%i

ORATION

DELIVERED BEFORE TI*1Ii‘.

NORWICII LYCEUM AND MECIiANICS’ INS'I‘ITU’l‘E,

ON '.E‘I~I.’E

5:11 OF JULY, 1830.

my WO1"t'.I‘I«IING-TON HOOKER, M. 1).

PUBLISHED BY REQUEST 013* THE LYCEUM.

NORWICH :
rnmmn 1:1: .1. DURHAM.
1830.

NOTICE’.
Some siight adéiitibns have been made to this Address, since 355
delivary, which were omitted then, to avoid too great le11gth.+.,

®I:'3&“3II©No

---u-v-.av--Q.‘-M---—

We stand on sacred ground»----sacred to the cause of reli-
gion and liberty. Our ancestors came not to these shores for
gold, or for power; neither did they flee from any penalties
of justice: but they came, with souls exalted with devotion,
and fired with a spirit of lofty daring, to seek an asylum for
religion and freedom, in a land, to them a dreary unknown
wilderness, to us the abode of peace and plenty and joy.----
This small but noble band, on the rock at Plymouth, found-

ed a nation, which in less than two centuries made its influ- '

ence to be felt to the extremities of the earth. Tfteligion and
liberty were the guardians of its infancy, and they are now the
strength of its nnanhood——--t0 may they never weep over its de-
cline.

Thus glorious, thus hallowed was the origin of this nation.
External splendour constituted not its glory, for there was none
of it there 5 neither was it human power, for the only strength
of the feeble and destitute band of pilgrims was the strength
of christian faith and courage.-—--l\lo, it was a ltiglier glory than
the pomp of power or princely splendour could conferw-a glo-
ry founded on the principles, which animated and supported

4

our ancesters, while they fled across a thousand leagues of
water, and made their home on a shore, cold, barren, and in-
habited only by savages. It is these same principles that con-,
stitute the glory of this nation now. Wl'1at would be our irn-e
inense population, the vast extent of our territory, our cities,_
our navy, our commerce, wide as the world—-——-jwliat would be
all the outward splendours of this nation, if these principles,
which fostered it in its feeble infancy, were now, in its strength,_
cast away? They would be but tlie gaudy displays and mad
rejoicings of a people rushing heedlessly on to destruction.

It is, then, an inquiry most interesting, to every lover of his
country, how shall these principles, which hallowed the origin
of this nation, and now constitute its glory, its safety, its very
life, be preserved in vigorous operation? How did our an-;
cestors expect them to be preserved? Let their conduct give
the answer. They bestowed their first and most assicluous
care on all those institutions, which would make a people intelw
ligent, moral and religious, and it is these that have thus far’
been the safeguard of our liberties. The institutions of reli—
gion, our schools, our. colleges-——-all the means of promoting.
the diffusion of knowledge, have a most intimate connexion
with the stability of our government 3, they are essential to our.
existence as a free republican nation. I would call your at-
tention then, on this occasion, to the hearing which the diffu-
sion of knowledge has upon the welfare of this country; a
subject appropriate to the day which has brought us together,
and especially so to the society that have called me to address
them. This will be to me a more welcome task, than to tread
the ground which has been so often trodden before me, on this
anniversary, and Iiliope it will not be without interest to my
audience. ' T '

ii

1 use the word knowledge, in the widest extent of its mean--;

~_ing, as including general information, scientific and literary

knowledge, “but above all, that lstnowledge which beams iron]:
the pages of the Bible. VVhile this last should be counted
the most essential, they should all go together: the temple of
God, the school, the college, and I may add, the Lyceum too,
should be considered as pointing to one great object, to en-
lighten and purify manl<;ind, ' W

The influence of mere intellectual knowledge, (if we can
indeed separate it from that which is moral,) is generally good.
Though it is often so perverted as to he made the instrument
of moral devastation, its general tendency both in individuals
and communities is to exalt and refine, while that of ignorance
is to debase and corrupt. It pre-occupies the powers of the
mind, and thus prevents the passions from going out continu-
ally to the vicious temptations which are presented on every
side. It communicates vigor to its faculties, and gives to it a
proper estimate of its own dignity, sothat it values those rights
which God has confeired upon it, and will resist every effort
to trample on them. A cultivated mind will feel its indepen-~
dence and its strength. And intellectual culture not only ex-
alts the powers of the mind, but it purifies its character also; it
strips it of those "ferocious and grovelling qualities, which are the
attendants of savage ignorance. That such is the general ten-.
dency of intellectual cultivation, is obvious, when we compare
an ignorant people with one which is distinguished for science,
learning, and the arts. And it is this tendency which makes
one great point of distinction between savage and civilized
communities. This is not so obvious when we compare a
savage people with one whose civihzatiop is grounded on Chris-«:
tianity; because this has an influence so powerful, and the-»_

6

rough, as to throw into the back ground every other point of
distinction.’ But if we make the comparison between nations,
tvhose religions are only different kinds of l1eathenisrn,we can
see most strikingly the softening influence which the cultiva-—
tion of science, and all the various arts, has upon the character
of society. The occupation thus given to the powers of man,
has an evident huma7zzL::ing tendency. The religien of a
half civilized nation, may differ very little from that of a sav-
age tribe, in its repulsive and cruel features, and yet there will
be a imrnanity in the character of tliafiiiiation, which you will
look for in vain, in a horde of savages. Civilization comrnon-
ly softens the general character of a people, much more rapid-
ly than it does their religion, because rnanltincl are apt to cling
to long-established rites, though they 8;l;'¢3I.1’1‘étl;'lt’{-‘All with the
greatest cruelty. I am speaking here of civilization, as eflfect-
ed without the agency of that most powerful of all instruments,
the Christian religion, When this is brought to operate in the
civilization of a people, the process is avery different one; for
there ensues at once, a struggle between false and true religion.
In all cases, christianity is to be considered the grand means of
civilizing a people, but tlieintroduction of science and the arts,
must be regarded also, as almost indispensable.

From the above considerations, we may conclude, that
while moral knovvleclge is the great, the effectual power, which
can exalt and purify the character of an individual., or a com-
munity, intellectual cultivation is generally subservient to the
same great purpose. Wl1e11 it is not so, it is an exception, an
anomaly. The number of those who have boldly "devoted their
talents to the cause of infidelity, is small, compared with the
crowd of gifted minds that have bowed in deep reverence be»-
fore the throne of God, and consecrated their powers to llllf-5

7

service. Learning, though sometimes perverted to the most’
impious ends, cannot be charged with anything like an inher-
ent tendency to scepticism and infidelity." The history of the
world shows that its influence has generally been of an oppo-s
site nature. And the same can be said with much more con»
fidence, of the tendency of an universal difusion of knowl-
edge. Infidelity ranges, no where so freely as in an ignorant
population; but in an intelligent, reading, thin-king communi»
ty, she commonly gains few or no proselytes.

Since knowledge then, in all its forms, has such any influ-—
ence both on individuals, and on the whole face of society,
there is no form of it which has not a hearing on the morality,

and consequently the prosperity and permanency, ofa COI‘I1ml1-

ty. The more freeand thorough, therefore, is the difihsion
of knowledge, both moral and intellectual, through the mass of
the people, the more secure will be the basis of our liberties.
Point me to a community where general intelligence prevails;
Where the institutions of religion and education are prized as
the greatest of their privileges, and receive a cheerful support :
and I will point youto a community where the rights of free-
men are valued and will be defended in every emergency.-—--
On the other hand, show me a community where the light of
knowledge but feehly glimmers amid the dark, wide sway of
ignorance; where theinstitutions of educationand religion are
but partially supported, perhaps not at all; where the Bible,
the textbook of true liberty, is littleread and still less regar-r
dedq; and I, will show you a community, ,Which is fit, not for
peaceable, cheerful 1iberty,hut for either wild licentiousness,
or abject stubrnission to despotism.

The form of our government is such, that its permanency
depends on the intelligence and virtue of the people. Wher..~

8

ever the principle of free representation is introchtced, the peo»
ple, in effect, governing themselves, the clifliusion of knowledge
is absolutely necessary to their existence as a nation. If the
mass of this great people were an ignorant and debased multi-
tude, and the blessings of knowledge were confined, as itis in
many countries, to the palace and the chamber of the scholar,
better would it be, for the permanence of the government, that
the principle of representation should be utterly given up, and
that a despotism be established in its stead. Popular igno-
rance constitutes the best security of a despot; but it is de-
struction to a republic.

The principle of representation, which is the distinguishing
characteristic of a republican form of government, is a mighty
power; whicl1,'wl1en‘guided by intelligent virtue, pours forth
every where the blessings of freedom; but, when in the hands
of vicious ignorance, scatters as widely anarchy and destruc-
tion. This power is committed to this vast nation, and well
may we be solicitous for the issue. i 'I‘hough every freeman
now esteems it a rich possession, worthy of all the struggles
which it cost our ancestors, it may yet prove our very ruin.

Suppose our form of government were at this moment es»-
tablished in Rus'sia—-l-that the throne of the Czars were at once
cast down, and that there were instead, halls of legislation,
filled with the representatives of that gigantic nation. Who
could prescribe the limit to the commotions which would con-
vulse, and the wars which would devastate that mighty empire ll’

~ And if ignorance could now brood over our fair country, as it

does over Russia, the same wars and CiO1*I‘lInOtlOI1S;;W0l1lC1 ensue
here»---peace, the peace of liberty would take its flight, and
‘We should be left to”'the_uhorrors of licentiousness.

It would be a mistal<en'_benevo1ence to wish that our form

'9

rel’ government could be conferred, at once, on the different na~—
tions of the earth; for in most of them, the people are totally
unfit to govern themselves. They must become enlightened
and virtuous, before they can be qualified for the proper ex-
ercise of such power. The principle of representation may
indeed be introduced gradually into a government, as the peo-
ple are led by an increased diffusion of knowledge to feel
more and more the value of their rights, and to claim their pos-
session. But if roused by any causes to attempt the sudden
introduction of this principle, there must be a mighty convul-
sion ; and they may be plunged by it into evils, from which
they may be glad to retreat into a sterner despotism than that
which they first overthrew. Of this the French revolution
was a melancholy example.

The gradual introduction of the principle of representation
has been going on for years, and is still going on, among the
nations of Europe. The crown has been obliged to yield
more and more to the claims of the people, as they have become
enlightened; the iron grasp of despotism has been and is re-»
laxing 5 and the time may soon come, when the principles of
freedom shall be the basis of most, if not all, of the European
governments. We rejoice at the progress of this happy
change; and to bring it to its consummation, may it never be
neeessarythat another revolution shall convulse the very foun-
dations of society!

The ‘extent of our country, reaching from Canada to the
Gulf of Mexico, from the Atlantic to the Pacific, including the
great, the almost illimitable West, makes still more imperative,
the necessity of a diffusion of knowledge, to the preservation
of our government. With such an extent and variety of

2

10

territory, with such a diversified mass oi“ population, them,
will be, there are opposite, contending interests. The ten—~
dency of these is evidently to lead to strife, to division.--
Whetlter we look at the past or present, there are not
wanting plain and dark signs to tell us it is so. What is there
then to counteract this fatal tendency? The difi"usion of
knowledge will do it, and nothing else. Wlien such elements
of disunion are at work, this, and only this, can preserve our
union firm---intelligence and virtue must be the ties that bind
us together, or these United States will cease to he a single,
undivided, happy republic.

Demagogues and ambitious men can wish for no elements,
better for their purposes, than are to be found in an ignorant
mass of population, spread over a Wide and varied extent of
territory. Such a people can be easily influenced by section»-
3.] jealousies. In this state of tlnngs, the materials for destruc-
tive explosions are brought together, and experience shows us
that there are always those who shrink not from applying the
fatal torch. An ignorant people, opposed to the regularity
and order of law,loving noisy licentiousness, and not quiet,
peaceable liberty, ever ready to be moved by vicious excite»

ments, may perhaps be kept in subjection, if they and their Y

fathers before them have been habituated to an inactive sub—-
mission to the powers that be. But give such a people the
power of free representation, and they would most certainly
be involved in intestine tumults and Wars. Excited and in-—
flamed by the arts of intriguing ambition, they would wield
their power with mad and reckless energy, producing disen-
ganization and ruin. But “on the contrary, an intelligent and
moral people, though spread over a country, including various
and even contending interests, will not easily be stirred up to

ll

tumult and division. They understand and value the rights
of freedom, and the blessings of peaceful union, too Well, to con»
danger them by sectional jealousies and contentions----though
they would be the first to resist oppression, they would be the
last to engage in domestic cornmotions. It is this moral intel-
ligence of the people, which preserves now, and has preserv-
ed this country from disunion. This, amidst all our party
and sectional excitentents, which have sometimes worn a
threatening aspect, this has been the strong; bond of our union.
‘Were it not for this, never should we have seen this day dawn
upon us, in such peace and joy : instead of cornrnernorating the
birth day of our nation, we could only have wept over its iniglity
and gloomy clownfal.

If the views which I have given are correct, we have reason
for solicitude, if not for alarm, when we cast our eyes over the
regions of the West. Our nation is extendi1igfa1*tl1e1- and far»
ther towards the setting sun, till at length i.t shall reach the
PZ1CZlllC---ll"lE3 tide of population will not stop, till the roar of the
ocean shall say to it, thus far shalt thou come, and no farther..
Till then, our western border will he as unsettled in its char»
actor, as it is stationless in its position; we shall always be
bounded on the West by an ignorant, unsettled, loosely con»-
nected mass of population, until we come to be bounded by
the waves of the Pacific. it

The details which are given us of the state of this portion
of our population, present, indeed, a sad picture. Look at
ourgnew settlements just planted in that wilderness. You see
none of the cheerful quiet and order of a N evv-England vil-
lage; the institutions of religion and education, the richest
part of our inheritance, are there known only in recollection;
you see no village school house by the way side; you hear

15.’;

not the sound of the church—going bell; and the dead are
carried to the tomb in silence, with no voice of prayer or con-
solation. Is not this, you will ask, an imaginary picture?
Can it be that such a community is to be found in this Chris-
tian land? It is even so—-——this is the state of the great body
of the people in those newly settled regions. A dark cloud
extends over the whole length of our Western border, and
this cloud will grow wider and darker, unless the light of
knowledge shall dispel it by its cheering and life-giving beams.
The more I look at this subject, the greater are my appre-
hensions. Suppose that broad extent of territory, now occu-~
pied by here and there a settlement, in the state just described,
should, in the course of a few years, be filled with villages and
towns enjoying the privileges which we enjoy: you will still
have another portion of territory beyond, in the same misera-
ble state then, which this is in now; and such will continue
to be the case, till this great people shall reach the Pacific.
And the danger from this source will increase, unless greater
exertions shall be made for the difi"usion of knowledge than
are made now. Who does not see that it has been increas-
ing for years and years past? The spread of the institutions
of education and religion has by no means kept pace with the
tide of emigration. Even in those places, which have in a
few years grown up from small and unorganized settlements to
towns and cities, the tone of public sentiment is very low, and
ignorance and vice prevail to an alarming extent. Thoughl
would by no means include them in the dark picture, which
I have given of the scattered population around and beyond
them, yet they are far below a New England community in
pointof morals and intelligence. r ‘ V   ii
If such be the state of things at the -West, the true patriot

13

must tremble for the safety of his country, as he surveys those. V

almost boundless regions. He sees that great valley, watered
by the Mississippi and its tributary streams, containing some
of the most fertile tracts in the world, possessing free and ex.-
tensive means of communication, peopling rapidly with a pop-
ulation full of spirited enterprise ; in short, having within it—-
self all those materials that will soon give it a power in our
national councils, on which may be suspended the destinies of
our country. If moral ignorance is to cover that portion of our
land, however high may he the character of the Atlantic States,
its redeeming influence will not be strong enough, to save this
nation from the storm which will roll over it from the West,
and overwhelm it in an awful destruction.

And here Icannot forbear to speak of another portion of our
population, iwho are sunk low in the depths of ignorance;
Irefer to the slaves of the South. Far be it from me to use
the language of reproach towards any section of our country.
It is not the Soutll-wit is the whole nation that is guilty. We
cannot stand aloof, and say that our hands are clean of this
sin; for New Eiigland was at least as much concerned in the
ir:nportation of slaves, as the southern states. Let us feel that
the reproach and the danger which attend slavery, belong to
us as a nation, and that all are deeply interested in their re--
moval.

Our black population is rapidly increasing; and the dangers
which we may apprehend from this source, are greatly enhanc-
ed by the fact, that they can never be incorporated with us,
under curgovernment, even if We could raise them, from their
deplorable state of ignorance and degradation. What then
must be done? The evil is appalling and calls aloud for a
remedy. The Colonization Society, at the head of which

14

stands the only remaining signer of our Declaration of lnde-
pendence, proposes to us the only plan that offers any prospect
of ‘success ; and we rejoice to see that it is securing such uni-
versal approbation, and especially at the south. We hid it
God speed 3 and we hope that the time may at length come,
when slavery shall be unknoWn—-—when there shall be no fetters
on the body, or the mind of the benighted African, and he
shall be permitted to enjoy in his own country, the blessings
of religion and freedom. '

Wliat now is the actual situation of our country, in relation to
the security of its liberties 9 Is there not need of solicitude and
of exertion too E‘ Our sky is indeed bright; but we see clouds
scattered here and there, and in the West there is one dark
dense cloud, extending as far as the eye can reach. Dangers
do threaten us; but they are dangers which may be met and
removed. They arise chiefly from the prevalence of igno-
rance in the mass of our population, and they are, as we have
seen, becoming every day more alarming. What then is the
remedy? Obviously the diffusion of knowledge. Let us not trust
to our just laws, and our free institutions, for these are but the
superstructure, resting on the moral intelligence of the people,
as its only sure foundation. Neither let us look to our grow-
ing strength, as our security; for if ignorance, with its long train
of evils, is to increase upon us, this strength will be but as the
reckless strength of a madman. But let us look to our insti-
tutions of religion, and education, as the only effectual means
of our preservation. Let us cherish these most assiduously,
and never relax in our exertions, till they shall fill with their
cheering light, every town, and village, and neighborhood, even
to the farthest settlement beyond the Mississippi. This is
to be done principally by those, who, having the blessings of

15

knowledge, know how to prize them. For anrignorant peo»
ple, if left to themselves, will generally go on to grow still more
ignorant--—--they will seek for every thing else sooner than for
the blessings of knowledge, because they know not their value.
If there is any exception to the last remark, it is to be
found in Grreece. As we look over that land of classic asso-
ciations, the brightest sign which meets our eye is the universal
thirst of the people for knowledge. It is as true now, as it was
in olden times, that “the Greeks seek after wisdom.”-~
Thanks be to God, that their eager desires for knowledge, can
be gratified with something better than the wisdom of Heath»
enism,---that “ the wisdom of God,” which was once “ unto the
Greeks foolishness,” is now beginning to shed its enlightening
and purifying influence among them,-——and that the time is fast
approaching, when we shall have associations with those
classic shores, of a far higher, a christian, cl1aracter,---when
in the land, where Plato taught, and Homer sung, there shall
be temples filled with the worshippers of the true God, in place
of those which once stood dedicated to unknown Deities, and
schools, and colleges, and lyceums too, shall be seen in the
land of academic groves, all diffusing the light of science and
of christianity through the whole mass of her population."-~
These anticipations are not too bright to be realized, if the
friends of religion and liberty will not neglect their duty, for of
Greece it can be emphatically said, that “ the field is already
white, unto the harvest.” ,
But to return to our own country. The light of knowledge
must be poured in upon the vast regions of the West. Leave
them to take care of themselves, is the language of cold selfish-
ness. It is not the spirit of benevolence. What true patriot
does not rejoice at the resolution, to place the Bible in the

16
hands of every destitute family in these United States,-Aer at
the still nobler resolution, to plant a Sunday School  every
town and Village in the valley of the Mississippi, within two
years P If there is any truth in the views which I have present»
ed ; if our ancestors were not mistaken, in placing such ahigh
value on the institutions of religion and education; if Wash»

ington was not wrong, in calling religion and morality “ indie»

pensable supports” of our national prosperity, and in exhorting
us therefore to “ promote, as an object of primary importance,

it institutions for the general diffusion of knowledge 3” then these

resolutions, and every other attempt to enlighten the great
body of the people, have a vital bearing on the security of our
liberties. A

If such efforts as these should be engaged in, with an ardor
proportioned to their importance, may we not hope to see the
time, when the valley of the Mississippi, and the regions be-«
yond, shall be filled with the institutions of religion, with
schools and with colleges———those privileges, which enable us to
call our own New England a happy land. But before our
eyes can behold such a sight, our exertions must be marked
with more life and energy. This whole people must be more
effectually aroused to the importance of making secure the
very basis of our prosperity. The dangers which threaten it,
must be looked at in all their breadth and depth; and they
must be met with more efficiency than they have ever yet been;
or, instead of being removed, they will go on to increase, till
they shall burst upon us and involve this nation in ruin. This
will be the sure result, if we trust for safety to any thing else

but the moral intelligence of the people.

We are not wanting, at the present day, in encouragements
to exertion. This is an age, and ours is a nation, full of action-

1'7

The human mind, especiallylhere, seems to be "urged onward
by a stronger impulsethan it has ever before been.‘ There is
no sluggishinactivity, butall is energy, and life, and enterprise.
This isin a great measure at least, to be attributed to those in-

stitutions, which secure the diffusion both of property, and off

lmowledge, so thoroughly among us. Thespirit of our : insti-
tutions, and the whole structure of society tforbid, that either
wealth or knowledge should be hoarded up by a few, while the
great body of the people are necessarily confined to the most
sparing and stinted participation of them. The blessings and
privileges, which should be cornrnon to all, have here no mo-
nopoly to restrain their free difl'"usion.i Poverty and ignorance
are not evils from which it is dificult to escape. When your
ancestors founded this tnation, they were untrammelled by
those artificial and restrictive forms, by which they were borne
down in their native country; and they established the struc-
ture of their new society,on the true republican basis of equal-
ity. In a community so constituted, we find the freest scope,
and the strongest motives for enterprise. Every citizen feels
that all the blessings of peace and plenty are within his reach,
and that there are no circumstances to repress continually his ar-
dour, by ntaking his efforts unavailing ; and stimulated by such
unrestricted inducements to er;ertion,j+energy and enterprise
will mark his course. Such heingthe high privileges ofAmer--
can citizenship, an American community must necessarily be
full of activity and intelligence.

The free distribution of property, and the full enjoyment of
the principle. of representation, are distinguishing characteris-

tics of this republic ; but we must never forget that there is i

, another, of still greater irnportance,by whichialone these can i

be preseryedml mean, the diffusion of knowledge. If we
3

IE

18

compare this country with the most enlightened and powerful
nations of Europe, we shall see that there is no other point in
which our situation is so far above theirs, as in this. The means
of common education, are widely diflhsed; and knowledge is

sought after with eagerness, not by a few merely, but by the ,

mass of the population.  

i It is this universal desire for knowledge that gave birth to
the Lyceum. This institution is admirably calculated t0“BX’.~
cite an intelligent spirit of enquiry, among all classes of socie-
ty, and to bring them on to common ground, where they can
feel and act together. Scientific and general information, need
no longer be confined to those who have leisure for study and
research---they can be diffused throughout the Whole cornrnu-
nity, shedding every where their enlightening and refining in---
fluence. If this institution has such a character, is it not true
that the Lyceum, uniting with the school, the college, and the
temple of God, in promoting the moral intelligence of the peo-
ple, can have with them a vital bearing on the welfare of our
country? And does that patriot, that christian, do his duty,
who gives it not an active support?

Let us, as members of this Lyceum, and as mernbers of this
great republic, give our hearly support to every thing which
diffuses knowledge, quicltens and purifies public sentiment, and
thus gives firmness to the basis of our freedom. Our influw
once will not be limited to the narrow boundsof our ltabitaa
tions. The means of mutual communication are becoming so
free, that distance and space seem almost as nothing, and in»-
fluence knows no confinement. Every effort tells on the dos-
tinies of our country. If we then engage in the good work of
removing popular ignorance utterly from our land, there are
multitudes of noble spirits, ready to join with us as one band,

19

in every laudable effort; and with such means of influence as
we can now comrnartd, the energy of this united host can be
felt to the very extremities of this nation. V

This nation stands on a lofty, a perilous eminence. The eyes
of the world are upon her. They see her dispensing the blessings
of liberty freely, throughout the mass of her population, grantn
ing equal rights to all her citizens, and possessing a purely elec-

tive government, whose safety rests entirely on the prevalence 

of morality and religion. If ignorance andvice are to prevail,
she will have a dreadful. downfal, and the interests of religion
and freedom will receive a shock, throughout the world. But
if thetmoral intelligence of the people shall continue to he
more and more her distinguishing characteristic, she will stand
firmly on the high eminence which she has reached, and will
he a hrighter and brighter spectacle to the nations, encourag-
ing the hearts, and stimulating the exertions of all the friends
of religion and liberty in every land.

A Who, then, is the true patriot? Is it he who delights to see
his country’s strength, her inexhaustible resources, her wide
commerce, her immense population----and who takes pride in
her victories, by land and by sea? A man may do all this,
and yet disregard wholly the real basis of his cou:ntry’s free----
dom and glory. He isthe true patriot, who indeed looks with
joy on all the external glories of the nation, but yet considers
them as ins-igngificaatt, compared with that which is her only
safety, the intelligent virtue of the people. This he regards as
her brightest ornament, her strongest defence.

Let our hearts be warmed by such apatriotism as this. Let
us not exult inthe noble superstructure which Freedom has
reared in this land, while we leave its foundations to be un—-
dermined, and to crumble into dust. Let us not blind our

eyes to our real dangers, and foldour arms in careless sccuri-»
ty; i Let us not relax in our exertions to scatter knowledge
throughout our land. If we should do so, a moral ignorance

will increase upon us at a fearful rate---those portions of our

population, which are now sunk in ‘ignorance, will sink

deeper and deeper-——-moral darkness will at length cover even v

those places where the light now shinesibrightest--—~our own

New England, filled with light as it now is, will share this fate t

----the institutions of religion and education will languish under

the withering influence of popular ignoranice--—-infidelity and

lioentiousness will stalk abroad with fearless front—---fthe laws of
God willhe impiously trampled on by rulers and people, and
this nation, which God has so long watched over and protect»
ed,ywill be given up of him to destruction. y
But I will not dwellon so sad apicture. When I cast my
eyes over this fair inheritance of ours, Icannot believe that he
who gave it to our fathers will ever sufier it to be devastated---—
that he will ever let this land of freedom he overrun by igno-
rance, infidelity, and vice. There is a spirit abroad amdng the

true friends of our country, which is to save it from the dam»
gers that threaten it ; and this spirit is pbecoming every day»
more energetic and more universal. Light will be scattered, i

and the dark clouds in our sky will be dispelled. ‘And as int»-
agination stretches forward into futurity, I see our country rig»
ing to a still higher and higher elevation; the institutions of

religion and education being difliused as widely as her immense.

population; and her glory, in the eyes of all the World, con»

sisting not in her=artnies,her navy, or;her,resouroes, but in the t

moral intelligence of the people-t--a glory worthy of - this Asy-~
lum ofreligion and liberty. A

hm «W i