Sacrifice, labor, instruction.

Intelligence an element of prosperity.

this, must not shrink from the arduous tasks it imposes, or be daunted by the apparent difficulties that he may fancy he sees staring him in the way.

"Then stand ye up,

Shielded, and helmed, and weaponed with the truth,
And drive before you into uttermost shame

Those recreant caitiffs."

The inhabitants of this village have sacrificed their means, and weary hands have builded this house, and teachers will be employed to give the best of instruction, but vain will be sacrifice, and labor, and instruction, if the knowledge acquired is not sanctified by the spirit of truth. It is better that this noble edifice should at once crumble into ruins, than that these pupils should be taught the truths of science without a corresponding cultivation of the moral sensibilities. But we will not despond. A noble work has been begun. The erection of this house is an era in the history of this town. It is a mark of the intelligence and public spirit which prevails. The first means of prosperity to any community is an educated and enlightened people. That nation, or city, or hamlet has been prospered most that has possessed the most intelligence. The erection of this house will give a new impetus to the desire for obtaining it. You now have in your midst a building suitable for a school of a high grade. You can now

Conclusion.

command the means for the most liberal culture.

May children and parents and teachers and schoolofficers be faithful to their trusts, and by their united efforts make this the place where the rising generation may come up as to a fountain of living waters, and take copious draughts of the pure limpid stream. And when the people of other towns shall boast of their public halls, and magnificent blocks, you may point with pride and satisfaction to this place, and say, the best public building of our village is devoted to the education of our children.

LECTURE IX.

EDUCATION AND DEMOCRACY THE TRUE BASIS OF

LIBERTY.

DELIVERED AT TOWNVILLE, JULY 4TH, 1857.

FELLOW

ELLOW-CITIZENS:-It is a mark of enlightened policy that we have a national holiday, and I know no time in the year more appropriate for the purpose than the fourth of July. The dreary winter has given way to the jocund spring. The husbandman has drained the damp earth of the liquid frosts. The weary ox, bearing meekly the yoke, has mellowed up the cold heavy acres. The seeds have been scattered, and the vines planted in deep trenches. The pruning knife and the implements of labor have been applied with tireless hand. And now, as the dusty garb of husbandry is to give place to the clean habiliments of summer, and the grain and fruits are beginning to mature for the sickle, what time can be more appropriate for a day of national recreation than this point of transition between seed time and harvest.

The time is appropriate. But were this all, it

Happy memories.

This day brings joy to every class.

might become dull and meaningless. There would be no living motive for its observance. It would become a day of debauchery for the immoral, and, consequently dreaded and hated by the intelligent and virtuous. But it comes to us with happy memories and endearing associations, because it marks the day of the nation's birth. The youth, the man of affairs and hoary age annually look forward to this day with buoyant and exhilarated feelings. Those who are bending beneath the weight of years are carried back to the time

"When their hearts were stout and brave."

The celebrations of other days are brought back vividly to mind, and they are again aroused by that soul-stirring eloquence hurled from the lips of orators and poets now mute in death. The man who is in the prime of life, whose heart is eaten with care, and whose head begins to blossom, is glad to turn aside from the toilsome and dusty walks of life and breathe the inspiring breath of patriotism, review the origin and workings of civil liberty, tremble for its perils, weep for its persecutions and rejoice over its triumphs. And the child leaps for joy, he knows not why, for his heart is lit up with hope and anticipation, and his affections have not yet been chilled by the disappointments with which life's journey is thronged,

Young America's celebration.

Words of the patriot.

The grave and the gay, the matron and the maid, all reckon its approach in eager anticipation, and on the morning of this day a nation wakes like the child to the enjoyment of a new toy. Cannon herald its approach, and bells ring out their merriest peals. Music lends her spirit-stirring tones. The blast of the trumpet, and the mellow strains from the bugle and the horn of the well-regulated band which leads on the gay procession, the chorus chanted by hundreds of living voices, down to the tin whistle and jews-harp of the boy who is obliged to stay at home, and who gets up a celebration on his own account, decorated with wooden sword and a paper hat surmounted with cockade and feather, and who delivers his own oration by crawling up into a tree or the back end of a hay cart-all unite to swell the fountains of enthusiasm. The old patriot uttered truth when he looked forth with prophetic eye and said, "We shall make this a glorious and immortal day. When we are in our graves our children will honor it. They will celebrate it with thanksgiving, with festivity, with bonfires and illuminations. On its annual return they will shed tears-copious, gushing tears, not of subjection and slavery, not of agony and distress, but of exultation, of gratitude and joy."

The celebration of this day is not to excite the feelings of hatred and exultation over those who