Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1843-01-11

commercial objects it would no longer be
possible to keep those political decisions
current in the world which are ever again
and anew invented TO the suppression of
subjects really tending to the universal good.
Upon discussion relating to Tariff. or
Bank, or Warehousing system it is posi-
BILE to rouse the whole Union, so that the
choice of President, and the tone CT public
life for many years may dependupon most
ephemeral and merely opinionative affair.
In the mean time The general falsehoodI
upon which both opposing parties act re-
mains undiscussed and unexposed.
Having these views and feelings Irejoiced
TO perceive in your columns remarks tend
ing in the other direction. Remarks lead
ing US 10 perceive that true national great
ness is constituted Of true individual great
ness, and that the latter depends on purity
of life, elevation in thought, holiness IN
being. To these no political or statistic
discussions, as at present conducted, can
possibly lead. An unreformed public life
is not very likely 10 reform private life. As
large towns are ever more corrupt than viii
lagos, public principles are always more
licentious than those occupied in the family.
Vice becomes more bold in crowd. There
is not legislative body of men in the world
who do not ayow principles, and pass reso-
Init IN fhoir collootiuo ocif which
singly and as neighbors they would be ut
terly ashamed Of This is not only the case
with the law makers, but with its admins
traitors. Which NewEngla land judge sits
upon the bench who would or could consci-
entouslY defend the laws applicable to ne
gro slavery, or to crimes against person and
property Z? Such enactments have long been
repealed in his own family: and be is ever
urging more loveful principle. In like
manner our merchants, dealers, and store
keepers are kept in countenance by public
opinion far below the dictates Of conscience
in each respectively.
These words may appear needlessly nu-
merous; but the patient reader will discover
that they are intended, as far as they can,
! to make good the position that there is actu-
ally no hope in all the external, noisy, and
public reforms wherewith the community is
] from time to time amused, and | might say
abused. The Improvement can not come
that way. lido not assert that no advantage
has ever resulted from public discussion or
combined action. The history Of this coun-
try perhaps proves the reverse of that. But
even then the good thoughts, the elevated
( feelings, originated 10 the individual; and
he uttered them to others who, at their own
fire sides, had thought and felt in similar
manner. So itmay happen now, but with
this difference, that all the good which can
nationally be expected by outward national
combination. is already attained, and the
next movement, if we rely in that direction
will be long delayed. have no objection
/ 10 outward association. On the contrary
came hilher chiefly because understood that
this movement was as widely desired as in
England and on much purer grounds. Two
facts, or rathera twofold statement which |
hope to see borne out. -~..-. ~
Every one who was not generated in
entire purity has to 60 through the process
of regeneration, and whatever steps he has
gained or may uCV be taking he will be
very acutely taught the Importance of the
conditions In which he is placed as respects
his future progress. OF all the important
/ conditions that of our human associates ranks
the first. "Tell me who the mans COM
panions are and shall know his character"
SAYS the OLD proyerb. For whatever nature
is prominent in US at any given time
seeks It's proper food, which is ever like unto
ITSELF The coarse mind seeks coarse COM
panions, the delicate being must find affec-
tionate associates. individuals about me
who are below me, are unfavorable or down
ward circumstances my equals do not much
improve me, for selfindulgence is pretty
J sure 10 creep in; therefore seek true asso-
clates who are above me In some If not IN
EaH things. In mere association do not
pretend to say there is much good. II Is
the spirit which unites and not the union
} which should be considered. Now though
consolation Of parties ia which each indi-
yidual shall be surrounded By others in a
more elevated estate than himself, is evil
dently impossible, yet it is quite within
human reach for number of persons to be
brought together recognizing state OF be-
ing higher than any one singly has yet
attained, and to live in harmony, continually
provoking each other TO good works, TO better
being, as ordinary associations OF men are
generally found vexing each other into