Daily National Intelligencer

FOR THE NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER,
KNOWLEDGE THE SOUL OF FREEDOM
Postpone, O ye sages, all meaner debates-
Convinced that 'tis light must establish our states;
Dispense and diffuse it-gild empire like day,
Convinced that with freemen fall knowledge is sway!
'Tis lucid as sunshine, that every free race
Keen leaders of party plunge into disgrace;
Always more intent by its ladder to rise
Than render the multitude happy or wise.
So man, a machine and the tool of the few,
Stands ignorant, ready foul mischief to do;
In peace by rude clamor to barter coarse aid-
In war to make havoc a popular trade.
Man's general ignorance, old as the flood,
For ages on ages has steeped him in blood :
Sesostris-or Ninus-Pul-Persian or Mede
In turn domineer'd for whole nations to bleed
See tyrants diversified ravage the ball;
A Cyrus Assyria-a Caesar the Gaul :
Mahomet or Gengis-Arabian or Hun
Spur ignorance blindfold o'er nations undone.
The Turk or the Tartar-the Vandal or Jew,
Kept midnight for millions and sunshine for few :
By dark public mind was society slain
From man-hunting Nimrod to fierce Tamerlane.
The priests of old Egypt, from Tanis to Thin,
Monopoliz'd diet, law, physic, and sin :
No wonder the few had despotic control.
Engrossing all knowledge of body and soul.
Gross ignorant peasants rear'd idols in throng
How could they have rights who were tutor'd in wrong
But public misculture such danger imparts
It ruin'd that wonderful cradle of arts
Postpone, O ye sages, all meaner debates—
Convinced that 'tis light must establish our states;
Dispense and diffuse it-gild empire like day,
Convinced that with freemen, full knowledge is sway!
Alexander the Great that ambition had crazed
When noble Tyre sack'd, and Persepolis razed;
Yet did not let Jupiter over mankind
Till Greece had been stripp'd of her noble free mind
Mark single bright Athens ere liberty ceased,
O'ermatch by her mind all the power of the east!
Her tyrant expell'd-see the light of the wise
Lend basis to grandeur that tower'd to the skies.
Would Carthage have met her deplorable doom;
Bruis'd rival and massacred victim of Rome:
If knowledge, man's rights, had to Carthage unroll'd—
Instead of stern Oligarchs worshipping gold?
Magnificent Rome fell extinct in her turn;
But ne'er while her lights were permitted to burn:
While eagles of knowledge bright Pandects unfurl'd,
That Queen of the Cities still govern'd the world.
Let tyrants detested fear popular thought,
Deem brass cannon reason, and intellect nought;
But ye that man's rank have restored to its source,
Will cherish high mind as invincible force.
Go stamp with sound doctrine from Orleans to Maine,
The precious crude ore that our precincts contain!
Grave knowledge on gem that no kingdom can boast,
The soul & energetic of liberty's host !
All freemen instructed, the agents of all,
Will edify empire that never can fall!
Our flag o'er the lamps of bright science unfurl'd,
The rod of no tyrant can sway the new world
Postpone, O ye sages, all meaner debates;
Convinced that 'tis light must establish our states
Dispense and diffuse it—gild empire like day,
Convinced that with freemen full knowledge is sway!