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Editorial
September 1, 1792
Gazette Of The United States
New York, New York County, New York
What is this article about?
An editorial warns public authorities, especially magistrates, to carefully select books for recommendation in education, emphasizing the influence on youth and society's character. It advises against endorsing works with mixed morality or from authors showing signs of mental derangement, as they promote vice over virtue.
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OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
EXTRACT.
NOTHING ought to be more weighed than the nature of books recommended by public authority. So recommended, they soon form the character of the age. Uncertain indeed is the efficacy, limited indeed is the extent of a virtuous institution. But if education takes in vice as any part of its system, there is no doubt but that it will operate with abundant energy, and to an extent indefinite.
The magistrate, who in favor of freedom thinks himself obliged to suffer all sorts of publications, is under a stricter duty than any other, well to consider what sort of writers he shall authorize; and shall recommend by the strongest of all sanctions, that is, by the public honors and rewards.
He ought to be cautious how he recommends authors of mixed or ambiguous morality. He ought to be fearful of putting into the hands of youth writers indulgent to the peculiarities of their own complexion, lest they should teach the humours of the professor, rather than the principles of the science. He ought, above all, to be cautious in recommending any writer who has carried marks of a deranged understanding; for where there is no sound reason, there can be no real virtue; and madness is ever vicious and malignant.
NOTHING ought to be more weighed than the nature of books recommended by public authority. So recommended, they soon form the character of the age. Uncertain indeed is the efficacy, limited indeed is the extent of a virtuous institution. But if education takes in vice as any part of its system, there is no doubt but that it will operate with abundant energy, and to an extent indefinite.
The magistrate, who in favor of freedom thinks himself obliged to suffer all sorts of publications, is under a stricter duty than any other, well to consider what sort of writers he shall authorize; and shall recommend by the strongest of all sanctions, that is, by the public honors and rewards.
He ought to be cautious how he recommends authors of mixed or ambiguous morality. He ought to be fearful of putting into the hands of youth writers indulgent to the peculiarities of their own complexion, lest they should teach the humours of the professor, rather than the principles of the science. He ought, above all, to be cautious in recommending any writer who has carried marks of a deranged understanding; for where there is no sound reason, there can be no real virtue; and madness is ever vicious and malignant.
What sub-type of article is it?
Education
Moral Or Religious
What keywords are associated?
Book Recommendations
Public Authority
Moral Education
Virtue In Literature
Authors Morality
Youth Education
Magistrate Duty
What entities or persons were involved?
Magistrate
Youth
Writers
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
Caution In Recommending Morally Ambiguous Books For Public Education
Stance / Tone
Cautionary And Advisory On Moral Responsibility
Key Figures
Magistrate
Youth
Writers
Key Arguments
Books Recommended By Public Authority Shape The Character Of The Age.
Education Incorporating Vice Will Spread It Effectively And Indefinitely.
Magistrates Must Carefully Select Authors To Authorize And Recommend Via Honors And Rewards.
Avoid Recommending Authors With Mixed Or Ambiguous Morality.
Beware Of Writers Who Indulge Their Own Peculiarities, As They May Teach Personal Humors Over Scientific Principles.
Especially Avoid Writers Showing Signs Of Deranged Understanding, Since No Sound Reason Means No Real Virtue, And Madness Is Vicious.