Report on a Course of Liberal Education. 323 



pure. Schools and colleges are not rival institutions. The 

 success of each is essential to the prosperity of the other. 



Our republican form of government renders it highly im- 

 portant, that great numbers should enjoy the advantage of 

 a thorough education. On the Eastern continent, the few 

 who are destined to particular departments in political life, 

 may be educated for the purpose ; while the mass of the 

 people are left in comparative ignorance. But in this coun- 

 try, where offices are accessible to all who are qualified for 

 them, superior intellectual attainments ought not to be con- 

 fined to any description of persons. Merchants, manufactu- 

 rers, and farmers, as well as professional gentlemen, take 

 their places in our public councils. A thorough education 

 ought therefore to be extended to all these classes. It is not 

 sufficient that they be men of sound judgment, who can de- 

 cide correctly, and give a silent vote, on great national ques- 

 tions. Their influence upon the minds of others is needed ; 

 an influence to be produced by extent of knowledge, and the 

 force of eloquence. Ought the speaking in our deliberative 

 assemblies to be confined to a single profession ? If it is 

 knowledge, which gives us the command of physical agents 

 and instruments, much more is it that which enables us to 

 control the combinations of moral and political machinery. 



Young men intended for active employments ought not to 

 be excluded from the colleges, merely on the ground that the 

 course of study is not specially adapted to their pursuits. 

 This principle would exclude those also who are intended 

 for the professions. In either case, the object of the under- 

 graduate course, is not to finish a preparation for business ; 

 but to impart that various and general knowledge, which 

 will improve, and elevate, and adorn any occupation. Can 

 merchants, manufacturers, and agriculturists, derive no ben- 

 efit from high intellectual culture ? They are the very class- 

 es which, from their situation and business, have the best op- 

 portunities for reducing the principles of science to their 

 practical applications. The large estates which the tide of 

 prosperity in our country is so rapidly accumulating, will fall 

 mostly into their hands. Is it not desirable that they should 

 be men of superior education, of large and liberal views, of 

 those soHd and elegant attainments, which will raise them to 

 a higher distinction, than the mere possession of property ; 

 which will not allow them to hoard their treasures, or waste 

 them in senseless extravagance ; which will enable them to 



