The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1829-07-02
ADDRESS
OfRKv. CALVIN CoLroN, ~
Before The Nttspori Peace Society, deiipsrei
18th Nit. s k

There is something existing in tho mo.
raj world, of great power, commonly called
public opinion. II 10 a sort ofthing. which
nobody can exactly define but which every
body well understands. Though ever ex-
istent, commanding, and holding the world
IN itsgrasp--y yet in it's relation 20 the samo
things IT 10 perpctualy, though gradually,
changing its forms and its affections. Its
favories are tho invorites of all; whatever
II condemns the world proscribes, and
there is no appeslfrom is decree for the
time being. Bu, though giant in It's di-
mensions, Hercules in its power, and q
sort of deity in the Difference il receives,
vet all its shapes are subject to thosu
which il binds, aud al lis pul.
sations have their seat and origin in tho
heart OF that community, over which il
Cules Imean, that public opinion inrrela.
Lion 10 whatever subject, is susceptible OF
modification and control.-And NIL good
men may be well content there is such
over in the world, because it is ever moro
chned TO the right than To the ,orong,
hen the influences brought To bear upon
from either quarter are equal. Wheth-s
this preponderonce Is owing more tniho
rtues ofhumon nature, than 10 the neces.
ties of the human copdition will not IN.
ertake here TO say Blu, such is the fact,
I'd this Is a sufficient encouragement TO
u rcformers in religion. or morhls.--in
hureh, or in Stote---lf they are Wiling to
.bmlt To the DEGREES of truth.
Public opinion, on any subject, if il hap.
ems 10 be IN error, is more or less formid.
ole, according to. the date and natural
iower Of those prejudices, which sustain
&; and also according 70 the means md
ABILITIES Of reformation. The very anti.
lulty OF a popular custom, with oil nnihink.
ug minds. sane CITIES it. And If lha, c0s-
udi happen to fall in with the current OF
nsiural passions, II acquires great additions
al power.
a Wan in n custom ms old as the existobcu
of society in the forms Of separate conimu.
mites. Indeed, IL is older than that.
! he FIRST war of which we read in the his.
tory Of nan, was the in,brung of Cams
hand in the blood of Abel Patrarchnl
families, and rlune, and tribes. and naiions
have forever been rising up against each
other, in the employment ofphysical force,
and with violent assault. And the world
bns ever been familiar with the sight and
history of blood. War has been handed
dow" 'brougb all nges, az q natural huredi-
tnry right, inherent in every individual
community or person, that possesses, or
thinks he possesses tho means Of any pby-
sicial advantage over another. And tho
natural passions Of men have ratified this
general consent into law, and Incorporated
It with every fibre, and mlisrlr. and bone.
and with tho very marrow of society IN lts
or provincial forms. This right
has from time immemorial been, and still
is the public opinion Of The icoyid. And il
was never questioned, until He, whose
klbgdo,nis not bf this world, came and re-.
buked the passions. whence II originates,
and act up moral empire with laws, bich,
permit me 10 say, lay the axe at tho
root Of this tree Of this Bohnn Upas.
whose SAP, and cfiiuvia, and fruit have SO
long poisoned the atmosphere, and desola.
ted The regions Of this fair world. q
must be permitted 10 make such an In.
depreciation of The laws of Christianity,
whoever may differ from me in opinion.
l. oncsty obliges me 10 do 60, and ] deem
1.-THE highest privilege Of my existent TINT
on this and every other question, involving
ibe highest interests of man, both as citi-
zen Of ibls world, and candidate for ihs
lhure, may plant myself by the side Of
he Genius OF Christianity. claim her pro.
ection, respond 10 end echo her orscles.
tive me The opinion of Christianity on nny
great public question Ike this--givc mc q
clear and an lndnbnablc expression Of her
Si1l, and ] care not for the opinion Of tho
world. l care not, that tho world, in thig
arlcular, has hitherto sustained ls own
rgument, so far as actual influence il con-
cerned. The ressons are very obvious
vhy il has been so. And those reasons 10
not al all invaida,c the christian doctrines
Of peace--but oil experience and obscrva.
ION confirm them. 80
II Is true, that the public opinion of the
World. tolcraiing war, prcseDis itself under
very formidable sepecls. II is moi the o.
Union Of an isolated and uncomfortable
cominnniiy, or milton, which might be- re-.
modelled by The influence of few elficd
i0dNiduals. Nor 10 il the plant of day.
+ of few years, itself tender, ns us roots
ofieebe hold Ia the earth. But il is
mighty oak. Old aud stern as time, " hose
lape trunk. with ils extended arms and y.
oots. has brased and defrd .hc rude blast
4 all ages. u Is tie public opinion Of ma
IONS and people--cf the whole world.-~.
hrIsfian and Pagan ! on, sorry to be O..
,iigcd To say, of The ChriSfian world. But
s,s understood that I sprak az tbings are
iominaiiy and not really Yes, nations
.aiied Christian. arc the most conspicunps
ofeartb welding The gfeateet
'aoral and Ihy sicnl power. And they toIe.
a,c, aDo have ever tolerated and proctised
ssf.--And even oHHilf X ngs and pun-S
o.. and with all who WELD The strong arm
f powrT over snd urnong The nations. tho
ighi of war, and 'he privilege Of employ
~ physical force for such. purposes are
acrcd. The inbibitions Of Chrisfiamty ou
his cusioln and Us collateral supports, i'aye
ever yss sounded in lbe ears or poli,icaf