The Wilmingtonian, and Delaware register., 1825-09-08

The difference between them amounts 10 this. 4,
Mr.. Owen tells us "Mat any general character,
from the best 10 the ,orsi-tiom The most Ignorant
10 the most enhghtened-may be gicen 10 any com
munity, eren 10 The worM at large, by the applica-
timn Of pr0per means; uhih means are to greot
cItent, at the command 0nd under the confroi of
iHose, who hare influence IN tie aDairs Of men.''-
That man is the creature Of surrounding circum.
stances, and consequently, should neither be re-
warded nor punished for his actions, over which
his will has no control.
The editor incuIcatcs the opinion, "that man
is a free agent; can control the circumstances
which surround him; can PORN MS OWN cmAnAc-
r&n; and, consequently, is an accountable crea-
tnre, and should be rewarded or punished for his
actions, which arc always under the control of
his wlll.''
Mere opinions, unconnccted with their influ-
ence on social regulations, are entirely harmless
for what does it signify to me, or to the world at
large, whether my neighbour believe that his
conduct is the result of the freedom of his agen-
cy; or, whether it proceed from predestina.
ton, and the irrevocable dccrees of God; why
should quarrel with man for believing that
every act of his life is the result of his education
and of surrounding circumstances; or, even if he
believed they were the necessary result ofa blind
fataity; provided his CONDUCT were just and
/ equitable to all. BY THEIR FRUITS shall they be
judged.
The present system of Society, is founded or
the doctrines Of "ficc agency and the natura
dcpravity of man." that as he has it in his power
to make himself useful and good citizen, or tc
follow the bias of his nature, and become vicious
and criminal; that so ID and evil being set before
him, as he may choose the one or give himself
up to the other, he must be rewarded or punish
cd, arti6caly here, and etern0hy hereetfer' IL
every country, from the earliest ages down t.
the present time, the governments and laws hav'
been modelled on this doctrine; and does no
. the experience of every age testify to the fac
that, in proportion as the laws arc vigorously en-
!, forced, in accordance with these principles, maj
is more deplwed and wicked; and, on the con
trary, as the government and laws recede fror
these principles and become mild, man become
; more virtuous and happy.
: Though Robert Owen has commenced a Soc
ETY. in strict accordance with the principles h
holds forth, and has entirely excluded reward
and punishments from his code, and Of which
few years will test the practicability and utilit,
yet, the editor gratutously prcsuming an abs'iit
ity between them, supposes they cannot stan
II together, and propheticaly implies failure {
: one or both. Having no pretensions myself
! the title of prophet, shall content myself wit
: things that are granted; and in some future nun
: Der make it appear that "thc editor in theory
IS very different from the editor in practice" an
IS cndeavour to prove that he is himself, in evei
j. act of his life, under the orcr,chclmiag 'nf'nea
II Of circumstances and that the presumed absur
le itcs of Robert Owen do not exist.
" EROSTRATUS.