it is
better that it should be _unequally_ divided. It is better that a part
should be fully and highly cultivated, and the rest utterly ignorant. To
constitute a society, a variety of offices must be discharged, from
those requiring but the lowest degree of intellectual power, to those
requiring the very highest, and it should seem that the endowments ought
to be apportioned according to the exigencies of the situation. In the
course of human affairs, there arise difficulties which can only be
comprehended or surmounted by the strongest native power of intellect,
strengthened by the most assiduous exercise, and enriched with the most
extended knowledge--and even these are sometimes found inadequate to the
exigency. The first want of society is--leaders. Who shall estimate the
value to Athens, of Solon, Aristides, Themistocles, Cymon, or Pericles?
If society have not leaders qualified, as I have said, they will have
those who will lead them blindly to their loss and ruin. Men of no great
native power of intellect, and of imperfect and superficial knowledge,
are the most mischievous of all--none are so busy, meddling, confident,
presumptuous, and intolerant. The whole of society receives the benefit
of the exertions of a mind of extraordinary endowments. Of all
communities, one of the least desirable, would be that in which
imperfect, superficial, half-education should be universal. The first
care of a State which regards its own safety, prosperity, and honor,
should be, that when minds of extraordinary power appear, to whatever
department of knowledge, art or science, their exertions may be
directed, the means should be provided for their most consummate
cultivation. Next to this, that education should be as widely extended
as possible.

Odium has been cast upon our legislation, on account of its forbidding
the elements of education to be communicated to slaves. But, in truth,
what injury is done to them by this? He who works during the day with
his hands, does not read in intervals of leisure for his amusement, or
the improvement of his mind--or the exceptions are so very rare, as
scarcely to need the being provided for. Of the many slaves whom I have
known capable of reading, I have never known one to read any thing but
the Bible, and this task they impose on themselves as matter of duty. Of
all methods of religious instruction, however, this, of reading for
themselves, would be the most inefficient--their comprehens