Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1841-08-20
distractions,

The Richmond Wing makes no terms
with southern abstractionists or Virginia i'm
practicables, and the way in which it uses
them up occasionally, is really refreshing
We copy the following from late number
Of that paper.
We copy elegant letter from the Norfolk Herald,
touching matters and things in general, at Washing
ton. Among other matters referred to- there are two
Illustrations" and "a third party"-about which
we would say word We have heard something Of
this third party before-but it came through Locos,
who, for very Obvious reasons are greatly tcked at
the idea. They have good common sense enough TO
see that they alone to derive benefit from any
schsm in the whig ranks. l, is their policy to en-
courage every dlssentient to court and flatter him
and urge him on to war upon his party friends They
know that the idea of forming third party is an ab
surdity OF the first water-thut they, soon as the
division among the Wings becomes irreparabe, will
srated in the fate Of Van Burenisn, that one would
suppose that could be so blind not 10 foresce
il in that of the Wings should like faulty overcome
them. But as the Locos are so deeply interested in
| fomenting Wing dlssension, we should listen with
| great caution to any ruinor to that effect.
As to Astrdctions-we like an Abstraction as well
as amy man lving-but it should be in season. Take
can surpass it. 1t is delicious. 1t thrills the sense
riumt sharpena the wit and subilizes the intellect
But thrust forth into the rough and busng avenues
OF business ana every Gay me- ana II Is as much
of place, as Mr.. Jefferson said Gen. Jackson would
be in the Presidential Chair. 1t has no congenialy
no adaptation for the worka-day concerns of life
it shrnks from them like the sensitive plant from
rude touch. Its sphere secluson and quet-in the
closet of the Dreamer along the seque>tcred velvet
walks of the Poet
Some politicians, who have made themselves ride
ulous in the public eye, by over-much refnng--and
others-selish and unprincpled-w under The
shield ofaected pursm, have never scrupled to per
petrate any political atrocity which might redount
to their aggrandizement-have sought to confount
Principles and distractions. There are no two
things so nearly allied, more distinct in their natur
and attributes-uness il be horse chestnut and
, chestEut.horse. An Abstraction is a disembodiee
Principle. Principle is vital, active, procreativ
and always leads to results Utter sterily is of tn
very .encn of an Abstracton-w it loses thi
distinctive feature, it to be itself Universe
equality is an Abstraction. The greatest good to tn
greatest number is Principle. II you were 10 pu
the Government into the hands of set of pure Abstr
aciionsts they would las the saying 10y run it int
the ground in less than fortnight or prove recrean
TO their professions. Each one would have his owl
abstracton-and all would concur only in one thin
in repudinting every thing practical If they coul
not compass the extremity of good they would tax
notwithstanding aught short of the greatest tanta
mount to the greatest evil. They are rare genera
tion-nnd as there is no procreativity about then
=, they must die out before long. Another crop ma
arise at distant day by spontaneous parturitio
or, like the armed men of Cadmus, fIom Dragon
teeth But the probability is, that the present az
! will sustain but little moro detriment from them.