The Yazoo Democrat. (Yazoo City, Miss.) 1844-18??, 1844-11-19
UniversnI rsenevolcncc.

Mans moral relation to his own species,
and to all other inferior animals, furnishes
cogent evidence in favor Of moral sympa-
rhy or universal benevoIence. If the sub
ject Of mans physical connection presents
US with some philosophical difficulties, the
repen,ed and frequent necessity Of per-
forming his moral duties will furnish a
mass Of instruction adequate to every i'm
portant decision. Tho single idea Of es-
Aabishing the doctrine Of perpetual repri-
sails, ought 10 constitute an ample reluta>
ton Of those selfish opinions which regard
only the individual to the exclusion Of all
the other members of society. II is the
interest as well rs the duty Of every man
TO be Just and benevolent: nm opposite sOt'-
duct would become the signal of universal
discord, and the selfish principle, which at
first had for its object the preservation Of
self, would become the procuring cause OF
self-destruction.
The powers and the properties OF human
existence are Of similar nature, and re.
quire correspondent method OF treatment;
besides, the intimate connection which sub
sists between US in this respect, our enjoy
ments, and our capacity Of enjoying, are
augmented by every effort which the mind
makes in comprehensive system Of phi
Ianthropy. The narrow prejudice, which
makes one man the enemy OF another, and
one country the enemy Of another, is not
only disgracefu, but subversive of the best
interest of human society. Political gov
ernmen's, and the PREF JUDGES which have
been created and nuTtured by these gov
ernments, have set individuals and nations
in battle array against each other, without
any good and substantial reason whatever.
What ia there in the nature Of The case
which should make a Frenchman and an
Englishlnan hostile to each other? Are
they not 10th men, possessed of similar
faculties, equally indebted tonature for the
resources Of their felicity, and capable of
being made happy or miserable BY the ope,
ration of the same causes? Yes, and 1t IS
the niquity Of corrupt government which
has perverted those sentiments Of the hu-
man heart, by which one human being IS
bound 10 another in general system OF in
terest, sympathy, and universal beneyo-
lence.
This principle should also be extended to
the whole animal world, so as TO exclude
acts of crseIty and annihilate every species
of injustice. The child that is permitted,
in early life, to run piu through fly, is
already half prepared TO run dagger
through the heart Of his fellow creature!
1t is the duty of parents, and the business
Of instruction, to correct the ferOcious errors
of former ages, and inspire society with
sentiments Of sympathy and'uniVersal good
ness; but to do this with effect, our political
institutions must be changed and placed
upon the broad basis Of universal liberty
and universal justice. This would be a
work Of time, but it is as certain in the ulIi
mate issue OF things, as the progress Of the
earth around the sun, or the general Tevo
luton Of the planetary system. The indi
yidual that wiIhhOlds his intellectual con
iribulon in this respect, is either too grossly
ignorant, OF q wicked traitor in the grea
Il cause Of human existence.
The grand object Of philosophic Philan
lhropisls should be, 20 extend the sphere o
mental energy, to enlarge the circle Of
influence, and 10 oppose the perseyerlnl