Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1844-08-08
A few SCriOus Thoughts.

II ltW NcrUU. THOUGHTS.
We have reached a crisis in the con-
dl,Ion Of our country that demands the
serious reflection Of every one that
properly appreciates the supremacy of
law, Of good order, and the stability OF
our institutions. 1t is not TO be denied
that for many years past there has been
a great ialing-oi in the mora! tone OF
society, and particularly in that portion
connected with the administration oflhe
Government. We have seen whole
communities convulsed by reck less as
sociatons Of individuals, taking the
law into their own hands, 10 the extreme
of putting to death citizens Of the coun-
try IN the most summary and cruel man
ner, as latel ly in the case Qf the Nor
mon Joe Smith aud his brother. We
have seen IA district of country rise up
against the ministers Of the law, and
with brute force drive them from the
performance their duties as in the
case with The "Pa,roon Manor" in the
state of New York. We have seen
Mobs, again and again, pu, all the au.
thorlilcs of city at defiance, and con-
liagrate churches and destroy property ;
and, more recently, we have seen Il
mob IN ITS fury resisting the civil and
military authorities with all the dread
consequences of civil strife. We have
seen the CHEST iunctionaries Of incor-
porated institutions bring them TO bank
rnptcy by fraud and robbery we have
seen States, unmIndlul of every hirh
and solemn moral and Just obligation
repndatc their debts, and beggar their
creditors We have seen numbers of
the officers Of the General Government
violate their oaihs of oihce, aud by
Peculation, and fraud, become default
crs to The aggregate amount of millions
OF dollars. Uader the eye aud sanction
of the EXecutise we have seen party
press appealing to the worst passions of
the masses to divide society into two
great parties, the rich and the poor, as
antagonist in all their objects, and urc-
/ ing the latter class to redress their
grievances by the power Of their nu-
mcrcal superiority. We have seen
some IN high places stepping above and
beyond the Constitution in the exercise
of power gained by usurpation and
we have heard tie transgressor laudcd
by the multitude for his daring. These
are hut part Of the deep stain that
rests upon the country, from the con.
duct Of those who have set the laws a,
defiance, and have disregarded all the
restraints Of morals and duty.
1t Is very evident that these trans
gresslons are but the effects of ndcaratc
causes, about which diversity ofopinion
nav eyisi. May they not be traced to
The departure, in the administration of
The Government, from those sound
princi lies that distinguished its early
history, and continued 10 exercise their
nituepce until within the last fourteen
or ilteen years, for great part ofwhich
time the Government has been adlniui,
tered more IN reference 10 .he prospects
OF few leaders, and TO The supremacy
OF their party, iha0 in obedience To the
great interests Of the country Dur
lng that period, the cardinal principles
Of the fathers Of the Republic have been
repudlated. In selections for office, il
is no longer inquired els be honest
is he capable 7" A new code Of ethics
has been introduced in the memorable
maxim 1ohe rictors belong The spoiis :"
and, m consonance with this piraiical
creed the only question that has been
asked -, "What has he done Ior ON.
party ~ The consequence has been
that prof'gato and unqualified persons
have been Invested with olIice, who,