knowledge is diffused over a whole nation. Its streams are carried to every neighborhood and to every cottage. They may be tasted alike, by the children of the wealthy, and of the indigent.

In those countries, where the existence of the government depends on a want of information, it cannot be expected, that great provision will be made for the education of youth. But, nothing can be more consistent with republican principles, nothing more essential to such a government, than this equal and universal extension of knowledge. General information is the sinew, the nerve, the life of a republican government. Hence we deem it proper to make provision for this important object by law, taxing every man according to his property. "We look not at the question, whether he himself, have or have not children to be benefited by the education for which he pays. We regard it as a wise and liberal system of police, by which property and life and the peace of society are secured. We seek to prevent, in some measure, the extension of the penal code, by inspiring a salutary and conservative principle of virtue and of knowledge, in an early age." The benefits resulting to society, from academies, colleges and universities, are in proportion to the fidelity and accuracy, with which they teach the principles of morality and science. And though few, comparitively, can derive any immediate advantages from them, they are of importance, in that system of education, which is necessary to form the character of a nation.

4. Righteouness exalteth a nation, by rendering it reputable in the eyes of surrounding nations.

If virtue and intelligence are honorable traits in the character of an individual, they must be more so, to the nation that possesses them. A nation, free and happy in itself, will be resorted to by the oppressed friends of liberty and virtue, of other nations; and in proportion as it respects the rights of others, its own rights will be respected. Such a nation will generally remain at peace, while others are involved in war; will have an extensive foreign commerce, while that of other nations is restricted or destroyed. But, if compelled to contend in war for its own existence or national character, it will be the more powerful and successful, as its councils are more enlightened, its union stronger, and its cause more just.

These observations might be illustrated by appealing to history, both sacred and profane, but especially, to that of our own country.

5. Righteousness exalteth a nation, by securing the divine favor and protection.

The kingdom of God is an everlasting kingdom, and rules over all the kingdoms of this world. He beholds the conduct of all his creatures. No human being, either comes into the world or leaves it, without him. How then, can a nation exist without his providence? God deals, in some sense, with nations, as he does with individuals. He showeth favor against them that

to the righteous, while his face is do evil. For thus he saith, At what time I shall speak concerning a nation or concerning a kingdom, to pluck it up, and to pull it down and to destroy it, if that nation, against whom I have pronounced, turn

king.

from their evil, I will repent of the evil that I thought to do unto them. And at what time I shall speak concerning a nation and concerning dom, to build and to plant it, if it do evil in my sight, that it obey not my voice, then I will repent of the good wherewith I said I would benefit them. God dealt in this manner with the Jewish nation, over whom he maintained a government peculiarly retributive; and he deals in a similar manner, with all nations. There are two ways in which these declarations, may be accomplished. In the first place, such is the divine constitution, that vice brings immediate punishment to a state, by rendering it discordant and feeble. Such is the nature of vice, that it blasts the best hopes of society, and weakens the bonds by which it is held together. Virtue, we have seen, tends to unite and strengthen. It is evident therefore, that God preserves an upright nation, by its uprightness; and demolishes and ruins an immoral nation, by its immorality.

It should also be remembered, that the prayers of the righteous come up as a memorial before God. God hath never said to the seed of Jacob, seek ye me in vain. But, that a nation may be heard and graciously answered, it is necessary that their prayers be offered with uprightness of character. If the Lord will not hear an individual who regards iniquity in his heart, neither will he accept the sacrifices of a vicious community.

In looking over the history, and glancing at the present state of our country, we see much to demand gratitude and inspire confidence. Our free and ex

cellent forms of government, are in successful operation. 'Plenty and peace fill our land. The arts and sciences are in a flourishing state. Liberality of sentiment and feeling prevail. Pure and undefiled religion is taking a wide course, and the pleasure of the Lord is prospering in his hand. The labor of benevolence is going forward, and that with such unexampled zeal, that we are looking when the dark places of our land, shall be enlightened; and the habitations of cruelty reformed and civilized. The national government and the christian community, seem equally disposed to embrace our brethren of the wilderness, and extend to them the blessings of civilization and religion.

But while these bright and animating prospects are before us, our political horizon seems to be darkened at a few points; more particularly, in those parts, where a large proportion of our fellow creatures are held in bondage, and doomed to wear the chains of slavery. I would not touch this subject, did I not feel it a duty to bear a publick testimony against it. Sooner or later, I fear, God will visit for this thing; and I hope, by standing aloof from the practice, and by expressing a proper disapprobation of it, we may escape in that day.

It is a consolation to reflect, that the importation of slaves is prohibited by law, and that inhuman traffic forbidden; but it fills the mind with pain when we reflect, that we have already, in our country, more than a million souls, who are doomed, never to taste the sweets of liberty-never to enjoy the light of sci

ence-never to hold a rank in the scale of civilized beings, but for them who bought them as cattle are bought in market, to drag out a miserable existence. I am ready to congratulate this State, as being no otherwise concerned in this matter, than as a member of the great federal compact.

But may we not hope, that, as knowledge is more and more diffused, among all classes of people, that, as religion exercises a stronger influence over all classes of our fellow citizens, the condition of slaves will be meliorated; and the principles of slavery, by being brought to the standard of rectified moral feeling, condemned and rooted out from this favored land?

And may we not hope, that, in this way, vice generally, and particularly that of intemperance, which always finds ways to evade the law, will yet be extirpated from our country? Our dependance must not be wholly on the civil law to effect this. It has never been able to accomplish it. But let us endeavour to unite a strong moral feeling against it, and it will blush, and seek to hide itself, from the public eye. By being closely followed, it will finally be driven from the earth.

And here, legislators, guardians, and every member in society, may unite their efforts, and all be workers together with God, in the cause of virtue.

Having sufficiently shown, that righteousness exalteth a nation, and that, to promote righteousness, we must promote general knowledge,

I would now, in view of the subject, briefly address