MOTIVES TO EFFORT IN AMERICA. AN ADDRESS BEFORE THE YOUNG MEN'S ASSOCIATION FOR MUTUAL IMPROVEMENT IN THE VILLAGE OF WEST TROY, DELIVERED FEBRUARY 13, 1840, BY EDWIN C. LITCHFIELD. TROY, N. Y. N. Tuttle, Book and Job Printer. CORRESPONDENCE. MR. E. C. LITchfield, WEST TROY, FEBRUARY 15th, 1840. Dear Sir,-The Members of the "Young Men's Association of West Troy," at the regular meeting held on the evening of the 13th inst., unanimously adopted a resolution requesting a copy of the Address delivered by you before that Institution, on the above named evening, for publication. We the undersigned were appointed a committee to carry that intention into effect: and therefore respectfully request a compliance with the resolution as soon as your convenience will permit. In performing of this pleasing duty, the committee reiterate the sentiments of the Association, in stating that its publication will be productive of the happiest results to the cause, for which this and similar Institutions have been established. We are, dear sir, Yours, with great esteem, EDWARD LEARNED, Committee. GENTLEMEN: WEST TROY, FEBRUARY 20th, 1840. In reply to your note of the 15th inst., allow me to say, that the Address of which you solicit a copy is very imperfect, both in its design and execution. It was hastily prepared, under a press of other avocations, and with no view to its publication. It merely professes to glance at, not to discuss the subject of which it treats. Since, however, you deem that its publication may promote the interests of our Association, I do not feel at liberty to consult my own wishes by withholding it from your request. Very respectfully, Messrs. EDWARD LEARNED, MARTIN WITBECK, H. G. DARLING, Your obedient servant, E. C. LITCHFIELD. Committee. ADDRESS. AN Association like this, formed for purposes of mutual improvement, pre-supposes mutual effort on the part of its members. No one has a right to consider himself absolved from the obligation of contributing something to its exercises: and no one has a right to complain, that in discharging the duty imposed upon him, he is called upon to make some sacrifice of time or convenience. While, therefore, I yield cheerful obedience to this principle, by the attempt I make to perform the duty assigned to me this evening, I must trust to the kindness of the Association to excuse the imperfect manner in which that duty will be discharged, Associated as we are for purposes of improvement, it may be proper to inquire how it can be best attained—not merely here, but in that broader and busier association, of which this is but typical; and I propose to remark very briefly upon the necessity and importance of individual exertion, and upon the peculiar motives to effort which are offered by the institutions and condition of America. Action is the great condition of existence, and the announcement to man in the garden,-"In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread," was but applying to him a rule which is universal in the king |