92 INDIANA HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS 



something shall be done," and done quickly, to promote 

 the great, and good object in view. 



Yours, &c. Solon Robinson. 



"Where did he get his Education?" 



[Albany Cultivator, 5:124; Sep., 1838] 



Lake C. H. la. July 15th, 1838. 



J. BUEL, Esq. — Dear Sir — This question, which has so 

 often been applied to the writer of this article, has just 

 been brought forcibly to mind by (for the first time) 

 reading in your first volume, an address to young men, 

 in which occurs this golden morsel : 



"Although we may be learned by the help of others, 

 we can never be wise but by our own wisdom." 1 



That is our own exertion. There is also another 

 article in the same volume on "Self-Education," by John 

 Neal ; which is worthy of a republication in every paper 

 in the union. 2 



It is a settled point that some of the wisest men who 

 have adorned our country were self-educated. Mechanics 

 and farmers have "found time" to acquire a useful edu- 

 cation. Every one of them can still find time for the 

 same purpose, if he will. It is self -exertion that acquires 

 self-education. Who that perceives that the knowledge 

 which his neighbor possesses, and which gives him such 

 a decided advantage in the world, is within his own 

 reach, that will not extend his hand for the golden 

 treasure ? 



What shall we do to incite young men to exert them- 

 selves to procure an education by their own exertions? 

 For they can no longer depend upon government. Not 

 one half of the states have even provided for the lowest 

 grade of schools. And in those where the common school 

 system is in the best operation, what except the veriest 



1 This axiom is quoted in a statement "To the Reader," in the 

 Cultivator, March, 1834, p. 1. 

 'Ibid., August, 1834, p. 72. 



