, 1841-01-23

ton. 1t then becomes i theme worthy the
particular attention Of the n~:oralis', philan-
~,hropist, tie philosopher ami the divine
There is certainly no topic of investigation
in which the happiness OF mankind is more
Immediately concerned. than in the doctrines
which relate to civil goyerument;-there is
none in which the exercise ofta|ents can be
rendered more extensively beneficial.
The genuine operation OF government Is
IA promote and perpetnate the happiness oil
THE PEOPLE. Politics should emphaticaliv be
considered as that science which proposes
for its object the promotion Of general happi-
ness: as governments 4 subject OF universal
concern. it should likewise become the sub
iect of universal contemplation. With this
view Of the case. looking upon the subject as
the constant object OF moral and social obi
CATION. can any class or profession be eX-
cused from carefully e~ndeavoring TO investi-
gate the principles and explore the sources
from which these obligations originate? Is
there any subject more worthy the atten-
ton of the philosopher or the divine? We
do not refer TO the low. petty ~sGuabbles OF
putting one man into Office and turning
another ont Of office. which we sometimes
(erroncouslv enough digni!icd with the much
abused name of politics: but we refer 10 those
paramount duties which emanaie from our
natural Relationship the field of moral obi
cation which is of unlimited extent. embrace
jng the whole brotherhood of man;-com-
pretending in its houndlesS sphere. every be-
inc that is capable of pleasure and enjoy
ment, or that is susceptible OF misery and
pain.
Politics, then. being the science which in
vcstigates and e~nforces our social. duties.
every sect. calling. and profession. every
patriot. philan;hropis;. ard christian. should
make it the chief study of their lives: it should
become 4 part of their religion. second only
IL their duty to their Maker. Let us not be
misunderstood; we again say that we have
no reference to the miserable. degraded par
tisan warfare which claims 10 he considered
is belonging 10 politics; very far from it
Politics. rightly understood. should he preach
ed in every church beneath the broad cano-
ny of the heavens; not that preachers should
engage in party strife. but that they should
urge upon man the consideration OF his So
cial duties, and point ont the way of reform
ing social evils. This is The highest duty OF.
every Minister Of the gospel OF Christ; it is
but following in the footsteps OF his blessed
Master, who went about continually doing
good.
Laboring, as does the science, under. 4
ponderous load o~(infatualion and prejudice.
it cannot excite surprise that the study of
politics is yet in 4 state OF Infancy. In pro-
portion as the temple Of inquiry and inyesti
cation has been opened 30 mankind. their
faculties have been multiplied and strength
ed, and their knowledge has increased. II.
other sciences. far more abstract and difficult
have advanced rapidly towards maturity and
perfection, il should he the prcrosative OF this
10 extend lis empire and TO dart an inqusi-
tive glance IntO every region of ccniempla-
ton. All sciences are united by the closest
ties, and the perfection of one inevitably
points TO the improvement OF all. How then
has the science OF politics so long PLAYED the
laggard-why has reform and improvement
been so tardy? Why has not the touch-SlUne
OF examination been applied before this To
long slumberiny errors and decisions; why
has knowledge Of government been So long
confined, like the secrets OF IN oracle. to the
initiated few! What substantial reason can
be assigned why experiment has not Leen
u cUoN III 'O'iSN'''l- ilC' ANAo " WI
sal distribution. opening to the gaze of the
whole world the conclusions to be derived
therefrom, allowing universal humanity to
profit by the perusal of the invaluable volume
of political TRUTH What reason can be as
signed that politics. the science OF civil socie-
~ and social happiness, should stand Il s,li-
tary exec, ION among her sister sciences.
and be rendered the forbidden tree of know
ledge, the fruit of which it is sacrilegious to
touch! 1t should become the patrimony Of
all; the mysteries of State should be u%nravel-
led, the tangled maZes unwound, and the des-
of the human species upon earth no Ion
ger be governed by the Gelusion of the SEN
seS, but by the conviction OF their under
standing. Ancient stratagem and inposture
have had their day; the valuable fabric of hu-
man society must hereafter rest upon 4 diff
ferent foundati1n.-[OA Dominion.