Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1843-10-04

|inhuman, as fer the sober man to conduct
with propriety. Their different actions
are the effects of different causes; and TO
wish the evil effects no: to follw their caus-
es, is 10 destroy the system which makes
every thing desirable follow their causes.
Il is very difficult to use language on
this subject that will not be misunderstood
or that will not seem to be contradictory.
We ought to understand the terms good
and bad 10 be used comparatively. | say
that every action is right, inasmuch as it is
the result Of an adequate cause. But com.
pared with another action that is higher
and more perfect, it may be called wrong.
We can not with proptiety say any action
or thing is best; for We see all things III
the earth and its products. in art and sci
ence, and in human thong hit and action. to
be progressing. And there is every rea-
son TO believe this process will 60 on 10
produce state of things more perfect and
desirable than we, in our grossness and
with only the faint light just dawning up
on US, can describe as being the utmost
extent of our wishes, more perfect and de-
sirable than we can even conceieve Of
Thompson has this view of good and evil
we'll expressed 10 the following lines:
From seeming erH still educing good,
And tetter thence again. and better still
InInfnite progressioa.
There is no present evil but what is call
ed good now, land is good, if conte.npiat
ed only in connection with its causes, aoiH
be called evil, because so far below what
will then exist. We may say too of an
act, it is wrong, because we eonceire OF
better. On the other hand, We may call
things bad, worse, and worse still. This
/ think is the most proper use of the
terms good and eciL.
Where we see men rise TO intellectual
and moral greatness, we attribute 1t to the
circumstances 10 which they were placed
How often do we see those with good
original deveIopement of brain, and phys
ical organization, who never rise TO lev
ell with the mediocrity of society, many of
whom were not so susceptible Of culture
and elevation as some who remain in the
lowest ranks. But if those who remain
SO low, had enjoyed the advantages of the
classes above them, they would have been
superior TO he majority ofthose now ABOVE
them. 1t is apparentto all that the differ
ence in their characters &c-.Was made by
The different circumstances with which
they We're surrounded.
A parent who has the means of giving
his son the most finished education, and
has strong desire TO see him intelligent,
and virtuous, to effect these objects would
never put him into coal mine, or cotton
factory, or mike him day.laboror, or
consign him to any of the servile work
performed by the most ignorant classes.
But he would surround him with the best
and purest of influences; he would place
him in intelligent society that he might be
urged on BY contemplating his own CON-
para,ive ignorance, and beckoned on by
the prospect of equalling or excelling the
most cultivated minds; he would be high
ly displeased a! his Witnessing base con-
duct of great or small degree, and would
do all In his power to have him under the
influence of wholesome precept and right
e ample. Aud he would expect that as
were the literature and morals and habits
and customs of the society in which he
grew up,such would be his character. In
this, as in almost every other case, there is
! a virtual admission of the truth of the
doctrine that man is aOh0Liythe creature oil
circumstances. A person growing up
under the most favorable circumstances
would be virtuous and intelligent. But il
the same person had grown up under the
worst Of influences, in The most ignorant
and vicious society, he would have been
altogether a. different character Thi;
every one knows and will acknowledge
If this is not the case, where is the pro
priety Of saying, person is influenced b,
this or that thing, by such and such con
duct2 If he is influenced he is moved il
some way TO do this or that, if he is no
influenced his every action is sponlaneou
f within himself ard he acts without an,
, cause of action. Il is all chance.