An address, delivered at the annual commencement of the Berkshire Medical Institution, Pittsfield, December 23, 1824 / By Rufus William Bailey.

  • Rufus William Bailey
Date:
1825
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: An address, delivered at the annual commencement of the Berkshire Medical Institution, Pittsfield, December 23, 1824 / By Rufus William Bailey. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    sublime exertion of some commanding intellectual powers, than the mere influence of adventitious causes. Among those traits which confer greatness and command dis¬ tinction may be ranked as a leading feature, independence of mind. Not that independence which acknowledges no law, and exercises no discretion, Jaut I mean that fearless hardihood, that disregard to consequences, which leads the mind to form its opin¬ ions and regulate its conduct by some great and unyielding prin¬ ciples, deliberately taken, well established, and uninfluenced by the apprehension of opposition or applause. By this I mean, a mind acting on its own responsibility, and possessing within itself a rule of action not liable to the influence of caprice or circum¬ stance ; a mind which makes its own investigations, passes its own judgments, and regulates its own decisions, acting by its own energies on subjects presented to its examination, and borrowing no final sanction from the opinions or influence of others. It cringes to no footstool, and surrenders its judgments to no human decisions, and seeks no promotion but in the assertion of its own principles, A true independence of mind is founded in principle, and con¬ sequently appears in all its investigations as well as actions. It is exerted at home in examining and choosing as well as bodied forth in its public efforts. It elevates the mind above a selfish or interested policy, and directs it to a course of efficient action in the rejection, not only of the authority of others, but of its own prepossessions, desires, and pride of opinion. Such an indepen¬ dence affects no singularity, and as readily coincides with others in what is right, as differs from them in what is wrong. There is a popular independence, much to be deprecated, which shows itself only in a contempt of the opinions of others, and treats with rudeness every thing not its own. It originates in the mean¬ est pride, is actuated by the most selfish views, is dependent on the most capricious and local circumstances, and certainly shows itself in the most grovelling character. Nothing is approved by it which brings merit to another ; nothing can proceed, which does not in some way subserve its own selfish interests. From such a mind, no elevated views can originate, no liberal plans proceed, no disinterested efforts show themselves. Such an inde-
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