214 
ON  AMERICAN  PHARMACY. 
as  a  fit  substitute  for  honest  merit,  but  to 'those  thinking  and 
knowing  men,  whose  opinions  give  direction  to  the  under  current 
of  public  sentiment,  the  thrift  which  follows  industry  com- 
bined with  high  and  honorable  principle,  is  a  more  certain  pass- 
port to  an  honorable  position,  than  all  the  wealth  that  can  be 
acquired  by  the  charlatan  or  quack. 
Let  us  then,  with  a  hopeful  reliance  upon  the  strength  of  our 
cause,  labor  to  rescue  our  honorable  and  useful  profession  from 
the  embrace  which  has  so  long  choked  out  its  vitality,  and  cast 
reproach  upon  its  character,  and  in  good  earnest  seek  to  infuse 
into  it  a  vigorous  and  manly  spirit,  which  shall  result  in  its  inde- 
pendence, its  growth  and  improvement. 
To  this  end,  our  first  great  movement  must  be  to  organize.  This 
step,  we  may  indulge  the  hope,  will  soon  lead  on  to  every  needful 
reform,  frequent  comparison  of  sentiment  will  gradually  induce  a 
more  uniform  practice  throughout  the  country,  often  recurring 
social  intercourse  will  awaken  interest  in  each  other,  and  a 
bond  of  union  will  be  developed,  co-extensive  with  the  organiza- 
tion ;  besides  these  social  and  ethical  advantages,  the  scientific 
and  business  character  which  will  be  imparted  to  our  intercourse, 
will  tend  to  the  common  advantage,  ideas  which  are  capable  of 
being  individually  profitable  and  advantageous,  will  become  com- 
mon property,  the  asperities  of  competition  will  be  worn  off, 
and  an  enlarged  and. liberal  spirit  begin  to  be  realized,  which  will 
scorn  unworthy  tricks  of  trade,  and  seek  the  welfare  of  the 
profession  at  large,  as  well  as  the  more  selfish  pursuit  of  individ- 
ual advancement. 
Without  considering  in  detail  the  reforms  which  may  pros- 
pectively grow  out  of  an  extended  and  thorough  organi- 
zation, among  which  the  suppression  of  quackery  stands  con- 
spicous,  it  may  be  well  to  refer  to  some  of  the  objects  most  im- 
mediately claiming  the  attention  of  those  comprising  the  existing 
organizations ;  prominent  among  these  is  the  education  of  the 
next  generation  of  apothecaries.  This  object  is  of  paramount 
importance  in  connection  with  the  advancement  of  the  profession 
and  the  suppression  of  quackery.  Although  a  scientific  education 
is  not  indispensable  to  success,  nor  even  to  eminence,  yet  it  is 
undoubtedly  an  immense  advantage,  and  experience  proves  that 
those  who  avail  themselves  of  it,  are  generally  better  apotheca- 
