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TEXAS STATFI LIBRARY
presents inducements, which cannot fail to elicit that chivalrous liberality, which has heretofore so conspicuously characterized her National Councils. ·with Mexico, our posture is unchanged.-She still seems to cherish the illusory hope of conquest, without adopting any means for its realization. A final abandonme~t of such hopes, or a more vigorous prosecution of the measures which would at once determine their worth, would be more consonant to true glory and wisdom, than this attitude of supine .and sullen hostiltiy. It may become the duty and interest of Texas, to reduce the question of her right to Independence, to a more summary adjustment than our adversary seems inclined to give it. ·while we would meet with alacrity, the first indication of a desire, for a just and honorable peace, we should compel a more active prosecution of the war. If peace can be obtained only by the sword, let the sword do its work. If we desire to establish a Republican Government on a broad and permanent basis, it will become our duty to adopt a comprehen- sive and well regulated system of mental .and moral culture. Edu- cation is a subject in which every citizen, and especially every parent, feels a deep and lively concern. It is one in which no jarring interests are involved, and no .accrimonious political feelings excited; for its benefits are so universal that all parties can cordially unite in advancing it. It is admitted by all, ·that cultivated mind is the guardian genius of_ Democracy, and while guided and controlled by virtue, the noblest attribute of man. It is the only dictator that freemen .acknowledge, and the only security which freemen desire. The influence of Education in the moral world, is like light in the physical; rendering luminous, what before was obscure. It opens a wide field for the exercise and improvement of all the faculties of man, and imparts vigor and clearness to those important truths in the science of Government, as well as of morals, which would other• wise be lost in the darkness of ignorance, ···without its aid, how per- ilous and insufficient would be the deliberations of a Government like ours? How ignoble .and useless its legislation for all the pur- poses of happiness? How fragile and insecure its liberties? War would be conducted without the science necessary to insure success, and its bitterness and calamities would be unrelieved by the amelio- rating circumstances which the improved condition of man. has imparted to it; and peace would be joyless, because its train would be unattended by that civilization and refinement which can alone give zest to social and domestic enjoyments.-Ancl how shall ·we protect our rights if we do not comprehend them? And can we com- prehend them unless we acquire a knowledge of the past and present condition of things, .and practice the habit of enlightened reflection? Cultivation is as necessary to the supply of rich intellectual and moral fruits, as are the labors of the husbandman to bring forth the valuable productions of the earth. But it would be superfluous to offer to this Honor.able Congress any formal argument to enforce the practical importance of this subject. I feel fully assured that it will, in that liberal spirit of improvement which pervades the social world, lose not the present auspicious opportunity to provide for literary institutions, with a 1mmificence ·commensurate with our future destinies. To patronise the general diffusion of knowl~dge,
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