We should
first be mechanics and common tradesmen, and professions as a matter of
course would grow out of the wealth made thereby. Young men and women,
must now prepare for usefulness--the day of our Elevation is at
hand--all the world now gazes at us--and Central and South America, and
the West Indies, bid us come and be men and women, protected, secure,
beloved and Free.
The branches of Education most desirable for the preparation of youth,
for practical useful every-day life, are Arithmetic and good Penmanship,
in order to be Accountants; and a good rudimental knowledge of
Geography--which has ever been neglected, and under estimated--and of
Political Economy; which without the knowledge of the first, no people
can ever become adventurous--nor of the second, never will be an
enterprising people. Geography, teaches a knowledge of the world, and
Political Economy, a knowledge of the wealth of nations; or how to make
money. These are not abstruse sciences, or learning not easily acquired
or understood; but simply, common School Primer learning, that every
body may get. And, although it is the very key to prosperity and success
in common life, but few know any thing about it. Unfortunately for our
people, so soon as their children learn to read a Chapter in the New
Testament, and scribble a miserable hand, they are pronounced to have
"Learning enough"; and taken away from School, no use to themselves, nor
community.
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