Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1843-10-06
mont aptoentr.
FRIDAY OCT. 6, 1919.
sCoIINDRELisM.

Theology, in Philosophy, in our social arrange
ments. Go where you will, travel where you may,
Won will meet with some ism other. Of late
venrs we have had swaTms OF new sms coming
thick upon us like flies in sultry weather. But
mos, of the isms that have lighted on planet
have been only temporary visitors. They accom-
plished their errand, lived their brief day and DIS
appeared Each ism has its friends, all find advo-
oates, none die without mourncrs. And most Of
them have claimed an undue share of public notice.
No sooner does a new ism arise-however harmless
II may be-than the public press opens It's batteries
either in favor or against it and thus insignifcance
itself often becomes "word famous"
There is however one ism which has not received
its du share Of attention, and that is ScoundreliS
This is probably the most hoary ism in existence.
It's existence is traceabe back far into the darkness
of unauihentic history. AT the period when au-
thcnic history commences we find it already in
the vigor of manhood. Its existence is probably
nearly coeval with that of our 1t has lived
through every age and revolution. 1t has survived
all the prmeval institutions of the sages and proph-
cts of olden time The revolutions of time, the
overthrow Of empires, the desolations and floods
that have overwhelmed the globe have left this ism
unframed. Those cities once so renowned, Baby.
lon, Palmyra, Thcbes and n score of others, the
wonder Of nations and the pride of the great, where
scoundrclism fatened its spols, have long since
crumbled TO dust; but this ism still lives vigor
Gus ms ever Though hoary with age il seems ye;
in its prime. II is older than any other human in
stituou. II has survived all the works Of ancient
art, and from its present vigorous appearance will
outve all the monuments of modern days. Ages
and ages after that Granite shaft which the folly of
the present generation has erected TO the memory
Of the first great battle of the American Revolution
has crumbed into dust, and that dust scattered 10
the four quarters Of the earth by the winds of heav
en-, Scoundrelism will sill walk abroad in society
with firm and stately step, vigorous and strong
as ever
This ism is not only older than all other isms, IFS
dominion is broader and more extensive. Rome
once boosted of being the mistress of the world
Her dominions included nearly all nations called
civilized. But the dominion of Scoundrelism was
wider even than that Of ancient Rome China
Russia, England, the United States, how wide their
dominions! over what extent of territory do
their governments bear sway How many mill
ions Of human beings do their laws protect But
what is the dominion Of either of these, what the
dominion Of them ALL compared with the dominion
Of Scoundrelism' On its dominion the sun never
sets ii extends from 10 sea- from shore to shore
il embraces all the Kingdoms Of the earth of the
old world and the new and not satisfied with
grasping the solid EARTH il embraces the ocean and
its thousand isles. II bears sway wherever men
live.
Other isms Of various characters some good
some bad, some indifferent but this ism is wholly
evil. Others seek 10 benefit man, this TO injure
him. Many Of them, most Of them, are at least
harmless this is positively evil. II is the great
"Satanas" of all time, "going about seeking whom
lac may devour." He is Perpetually at war with
the welfare of mankind. He assumes all shapes,
and is in each Demon. He enriches the earth
with human bodies slain on the "tented field" He
rcddens the ocean with human gore. He empov.
erishes lands by the tears and sweat of slavery. He
deluges whole countries with streams Of "liqud
hre, that bear on their bosom crime, poverty, woe,
death. You can name no vice, mention no crime
of which he is not the abettor or father. He picks
locks, iorges notes, tells lies, cheats CANDLES, Sc
duces innocence, plays the hypocrite, and does all
manner of mischief. lie is busy in every class of
society. He enters all professions lie makes
himself at home among rulers, and dsdans not to
dwell in the mean II howell You may find him in
the pulpit, you may see him behind the counter.
you may meet him in the street, but will always
find him busy. lie takes no rest BY riaht as
well as by day, he is carrying forward his dark and
wicked designs. lie is the universal agent of evil
The Devil Of all trades Now then, We Patriots.
and ye Philanthropsts, arouse, grid on your armor,
and unite your forces against this universal enemy
n m While a.
isms, which are but of yesterday and will perhaps
die tomorrow, this all powerful ISM whose age is
numbered by centuries, and whose evil agency is
almost omniPotent and omnipresent, is subdung
thousands and running millions of you. brethren.
And he prospers by your labors. While your for
ces are divided, his are united. While by YOUR
contests you are weakening your strength, his is
increasing. He attcns on your successes; he
gloas over your defeats. He laughs 10 see Won
contending against each other to support the claims
OF your iavorite ism, for he knows whether YOU fail
or succeed, you are only playing into his hands,
Abandon then your contests for your short lived,
and magnificent isms, and unite all your forces TO
overturn the kingdom, and to break the power of
this universal ism. Come forward We writer's, and
ye publishers, and ye preachers, who have your ia
vorlte lsms to support come forward and do united
battle against this foe of the human race Give
scoundrellsm no quarter, Attack him on all sides !;
search out his lurking places; drive him from his
dark dens; beat him; shoot him; cut him down
with the broad sword, Let all good men combine
to drive him from the face of the earth to put an
end to his sway and his existence and when this
Is done, men may return to their advocacy of their
harmless or their useful isms with as much zeal as
they chose to exhibit.
Mr. SEVERANCE, Editor of the Kennebec Journal.
who did not get chosen to Congress at the recent
trial in Maine, has been appointed Chairman of the