Excerpt from The Western Monthly Magazine, Vol. 4: A Continuation of the Illinois Monthly Magazine; From January to June, 1835

It cannot be denied, that from its nature, our government brings into active requisition all the latent talent which its bosom contains. The avenues to fame and usefulness are so broad and so open, that no one can justly complain of mo n0poly and exclusion. Perhaps greater encouragement is given, and greater applause bestowed upon political than literary eminence. But is not this right? Should not those who live for the present age, be rewarded by the present age? And those who live for posterity, receive their pay from pos terity? In every country, government is the first care of the people. The machine of government must be framed, and its wheels put in motion, before matters of lesser importance can receive due attention. Hence the inaccuracy of our legislation, and the haste with which inexperienced youths are hurried into public affairs and public offices. Congress is the great market where most men bring their talents and their eloquence for sale. Congress is the sacred temple which stands on the top of the hill of fame, and on either side of the eminence, behind and before, to the right hand and to the left, are seen immense numbers of persons of every rank and grade; few at the top, many in the middle, and more at the bottom; some scarcely able to hold fast to the rocks and the bushes, and others tumbling headlong backwards to the plain; some looking up with hope, and others looking down With fear some advancing with caution, and others pressing for ward with eagerness, and all of them presenting a scene of confusion and of contrast - of extinguished reason and of exerted passions, of black suspicion and green-eyed jealousy, of aspiring confidence and crumbling hopes, which it is really disgusting to behold, and utterly unsafe to engage in.

I shall endeavor to show, however, that this tendency of our government, apparently accompanied With the most inju tious consequences, may yet contribute to the advancement of literature and science. Learning has often been brought into contempt by the pedantry of its professors. In mam.

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