Nalioiial Scioilific and Ediicalio)ial luslilttliojis. 329 



The conduct of some of those strangers, who have visited our country, since the 

 peace, and who fdl the British papers with accoinits of our distresses, shows as great 

 a want of good sense, as it does of good nature. They see nothing but the founda- 

 tions and walls of the temple of liberty; and yet they undertake to judge of tlie 

 whole fabric. 



Our own citizens act a still more aljsurd part, when they cry out, after the e.xperi- 

 ence of three or four years, that we are not proper materials for republican govern- 

 m<?nt. Remember, we assumed these forms of government in a hurry, before we 

 were prepared for them. Let every man exert himself in promoting virtue and 

 knowledge in our country, and we shall soon become good republicans. Look at the 

 steps by which governments have been changed, or rendered stable in Europe. Read 

 the history of Great Britain. Her boasted government has risen out of wars and 

 rebellions that lasted above six hundred years. The United States are traveling 

 peaceably into order and good government. They know no strife— but what arises 

 from the collision of opinions; and, in three years, they have advanced further in 

 the road to stability and happiness, than most of the nations of Europe have done, 

 in as many centuries. 



There is but one path that can lead the United States to destruction; and that is 

 their extent of territory. It was probable to effect this, that Great Britain ceded to 

 us so much waste land. But even this path may be avoided. Let but one new state 

 be exposed to sale at a time; and let the land office be shut up, till every part of this 

 new state be settled. 



I am extremely sorry to find a passion for retirement so universal among the 

 patriots and heroes of the war. They resemble skillful mariners who, after exert- 

 ing themselves to preserve a ship from sinking in a storm, in the middle of the ocean, 

 drop asleep as soon as the waves subside, and leave the care of their lives and prop- 

 erty, during the remainder of the voyage, to sailors without knowledge or experience. 

 Every man in a republic is public property. His time and talents— his youth— his 

 manhood — his old age— nay more, his life, his all, belong to his country. 



Patriotsof 1774, 1775, 1776— heroes of 1778, 1779, 1780 ! come forward ! your country 

 demands your services ! — Philosophers and friends of mankind, come forward ! your 

 country demands your studies and speculations ! Lovers of peace and order, who 

 declined taking part in the late war, come forward! your country forgives your 

 timidity and demands your influence and advice ! Hear her proclaiming, in sighs 

 and groans, in her governments, in her finances, in her trade, in her manufactures, 

 in her morals, and in her manners, "THE REVOLUTION IS NOT OVER!" 



APPENDIX C. 



PROSPECTUS OF A NATIONAL INSTITUTION TO BE ESTABLISHED IN 



THE UNITED STATES. 



By Joel Barlow, iSo6. 



[Reprinted from a defective copy of Barlow'.s pamphlet in the Congressional Library-, supplemented 

 by the reprint in the National Intelligencer of 1806, and a manuscript copy in the possession of 

 Doctor J. C. Welling.] 



The project for erecting a university at the seat of the federal government is 

 brought forward at a happy moment, and on liberal principles. We may therefore 

 reasonably hope for an extensive endowment from the nmnificence of individuals, 

 as well as from government itself. This expectation will naturally lead us to enlarge 

 our ideas on the subject, and to give a greater scope to its practical operation than 

 has usually been contemplated in institutions of a similar nature. 



