Litchfield enquirer., 1838-11-29
sELF GOVERNMENT.


In the midst Of events which seem to be-
speak predssiinaiioiI, man still feels that IIe
is free. The planets wheel through ihs
heavens; the earth revolyes ON its axis, mud
performs its vast annual circuit; the sea!
sons come and go; the clouds rise and van
ish the rain, the hail, the snow descend;
and in all this man has no voice. There
is system Of government above, beyond.
and around him, declaring d sovereignty
which takes nO counsel of him. But still.
i" the midst of alI this, man possesses con-
Sci""sness ofireedom. The metaphysician
may be confounded with the seeming incon-
sIstency Of an Omnil'o.cnce, ruling over all
things, yet granting free agency 10 the snb-
j"cls of its power. But common sense does
not puzzle itself with the precise point as
which these seeming principles of OPPOSE
ton may clash or coalesce. Ii contents
itself with the obyiOus fact that God Is u
sovereign, who has yet created beings, and
given them their freedom, prescribing
boundaries tO their powers and capacities
indeed. hut within these limits permitting
them 10 act BY their own yDIiIlUIii, III : - =
Man then is free he has tho power to
seek happiness in his own way. He en,crs
Of life. Blu, as hepasses along, a thousand
tcmpters beset him. Pleasure comes ID,
beckon hin, away, offering him present
flowers, and unfolding beautiful prospects
in the distance. Wealth seeks to make
him her votary, by disclosing her magic
power over men and things. Ambition
woos him with dreams Of glory. Incidence
essays to soften and seduce him to her in
fluence. Love, envy, malice, revenge.
jealousy, and either busy spirits, assail bin.
with their various arts. And man Is free
to yield 10 these temptations if he will or
he has the pOwerslo resist them, il he will.
God has surrendered him to his own dis
cretion, making him responsible, however,
for the use and the abuse Of the liberty be.
slowed upon him. .lft@e .l@. ~ =" T'''h'i.5'
TIA person mounts high spirited horse,
il is important that he should be able To-
control him, otherwise he may be dashed
in pieces. II an engineer undertakes to,
conduct "a locomotive, it is necessary that
he should be- ablc to guide or check the
painting engine at his pleasure, else his own
life, and the life Of others. may be sacrifi-
ced. But it Is still more indispensable thar
an individual, who is entrusted with tho
care Of himself, should be able to govern
himself. s.',i, i5g., 49,, - ~.
This might seem a very easy task :; but it
is one of ill" most difficult that we are cal
led upon to perform. History shows US
that some u the greatest men have failed
in III. Alexander could conquer the legions
"f Persia, but he could not conquer his own
passions. Cesar triunphed in q hundred
battles, but no fell victim 20 the desire Of
bei:g u king. R0nHDarfe yanquished near
Iy llhe whole Of EurJpe, but he could NOT
vanqWiSlI his own ambition. And in hum
bier life, nearer home, Ia our own every
day affairs, most of Us are often drawn
aside from the path Of duty and discretion.
because We cannot resist some temptation
or overcome some prejudice. .5sasj d ,.fst
1T We consider that self government re-
quires two things first, whenever we are
tempted to deviate from the path Of recti-
.ude or to act inpr,,dcntiy, OF whenever wO
arc tempted 10 neglect any duty, that we
should possess and exercise ourselves iii
tho ONE case, aud TO compel ourselves To-
the required action IN the other, we shall
sec that i is the great regulator Of conduct.
tho very balance wheel Of lifc. Without il {.
"a person 10 almost sure to miss happiness,
l"weyer great may be Ills gifts, however
high his fortune |; Whit, the hunbIest liz
dividual may command not merely the
worlds wealth. but The worlds respect;
and. What is better, peace of mind and the
consciousness, Of heavens approbation. al
il pareM.s would not trust child upon,
the back, of n wild horse without bit or bri-a
die, lot them not permit him to 60 forth
into the world unsk Tiled IN self government.
liza child is passionate, teach him, b, geR-
tie and patient means, 20 curb his temper.
IL he is greedy, cultivate liberality in him.
lf lie is selfish, promote generosity. Ifhe
is suiky, charm him out of il, by encourage
ing frank g,,od l,umor. II he is indolent.
accvs.e,n hisn iOiexeriion. and train him 50
as la prrior,n .. en onerous duties with a.
iacriiy.a Afpride comes In to make his O.
bedience reluctant, subdue him, either by
counsel or discipline. In short, give your
children tho habit Of overcoming their be-
setting sins, Let them feel that they can
overcome temptation, Let them acquire
from experience that confidence in them
selves which gives security to the pracliced
horseman, even OH the back Of a high-strung
s,sed, and they will triumph over the diff
culiiss and dangers which bcses them IN
the path Of life. s.,n
/ IN 81. = z 4 ( . .