Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1845-09-12
AN
UNIVERSAL REFORW-

UNIVERSAL REFORM.
Ever since the contest between the rood
and bad angels of society began, there has
been a class of minds which receives the
truths of reform metaphysically, but finds it
infinitely easier and more convenient to keen
its enthusiasm ready molten in the form of
theory, than to allow it to run into and har-
den in any of the thousand moulds Of action.
These philosophers are not satisfied with a.
ny single effort at p~rogress-calling it isola-
ted and fragnentary, They would have re-
formers strike at the very root of the evil and
one of them tells us that this root is here,and
another tells us it is there, and a third, with
yet greater confidence, asserts that it is eve
ry where. Meanwhile the sore boils with
which God hath smitten our social system
grow more and more loathsome, and their
corruption spreads without molestation.
The position of these advocates of univer-
sal reform is a peculiarly agreeable one. 1t
is easy in a social point Of view, because the
world has no quarrel with men who interfere
with its p~rodigal courses only in the polite
way of theory, and because Reform can have
nothing to say against those who give it a
metaphysical adherence. 1t is also a posi-
ton extremely hattering TO s~elf-loye. They
criticise all parties, and tacitly assume (what
is too often granted to them by the mthinll-
ing) a superior wisdom to all. They are
men who stand upon a hill at a safe distance
from the field of battle and cTiiicisc through
their philosophical telescopes the movements
of the simple fellows who endure all the
sweat and dust and peril of the conflict, con-
demning them, even when victorious, for
having gained the fight by some blunder in
technicalities, and, by their quiet air of su-
perior wisdom, almost persuading the scared
veterans who have achieved the hard-won
success that they are no better than defeated.
They remind one of that ''parmaceti" fellow
who SO bitterly inaamed the gall Of honest
lIotspur.
But whatever may be the Speculative mo-
thods proposed by these social Undergraduates
(who would cure all the existing evils of
society by throwing cold wa-er upon the eff
forts of practical reformers) tn ir real system
always resolves itself into not ing more than
a new application of chat igenious recipe
for the recovery Of lost sh~egNsinyented by
''litle Bopoup'' in Tie .uesGTy-aJAm
"Little Bopeep has lost his sheep,
And how do you think he'll find 'eml
let 'em alone and they'll all come home
Wagging their tails behind EN-
What mind so unreasonable as to desire a
more complete or simple remedy for all the
diseases Of society than this Of letting them IT,
Tone?
But there are some unfortunate mental or
CARNATIONS which are pursued by an irresis-
tible impulse to be at work and to which
activity seems a necessary prerequisite for
health. Of this unhappy class the Abolition
lists are prominent examples, and we confess
that we cannot help feeling a very decided
sympathy with them. Far be it from us to
detract from the supereminent merit of the
Thinkers of Reform. lie who invents great
ideas is often a truer working-man than he
who labors with his hands. lie who sets
up and kindles the beacon of an inspiring
thought, who FORCES for the warriors of re-
form the impene'rable panoply ola noble prin-
ciple, is a chief benefactor of his race. But
!. we need also the self-devoted translators OF
these divine ~oracles into the language of the
people, the fiery-hearted enthusiasts who APP
ply these dangerous tests to the existing or
der of things, and become the practical mar
tyrs and apostles of the new dispensation.
What n0bler spectacle than to see both uni
ted as in Garrison and Burleigh aud w. ii.
Claiming!
We do not mean to include among these pra-
tiers about 'Universal Reform" any of those
who are sincerely and actively engaged in the
promotion Of any scheme for the lettering OF
Society, however visionary it may appear to
ONAoA wv b'ttINN ~ eAAC = NO.
ers with us, and we are willing that they
I, should call us tragmentary so they cast nc
2 stumbling-blocks in our way. But we mus
break without remorse through the fine-spur
; gOssamers of those theoriSers who, while
. they are looking every where but to the sol
id earth on which they tread, lead their un'
, suspecting followers through the brambles Of
! foolish speculation, to leave them at las
: laundering in the slough of i~naction. These
D men are like the followers of Ulysses, whC
had eaten of the lOtus and became straight
way oblivious Of country and friends, an,
Z loved only to dream with closed eyes Of for
! mer labors and perils, wholly untitled for tn,
undertaking OF new ones.
1t is true that there is a unity in evil, an,
I that reformers should be content with moth
ing less than some universal remedy. Du
o it is no less true that there is also Il unity i
reform. The blow which a solitary reform
er strikes upon the minutest nerve of evi
z sends a painful thrill up to the great centra
t heart, Abolidonisls may we'll be content t
e be called fragmentary while they are i
$ truth breaking up the ground and preparing
the way for universal reform.
e We must begin sDmcIDhere. While NOR
L far-seeing minds are drawing plans for
IS great campaign and concerning measures fo
It the defeat of sin in one great overthrow