The Daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1845-1850, 1845-11-10
RADICALISM.

Simply speaking, Radcalism is that which goes
to the root of things-and is, therefore, necessary
to all thorough reform or investigation. 1t is the
opposite of apprehension. Without it no man
ever attans to any thing great, morally or intel
lectually. 1t is the corner stone of all true re-
form, OF all true character. He who is afraid of
1t is coward he who persecutes it is bigot, he
who despises it's fool. | write now of Radical
ism IN its simplest sense, and according to its lit
eral meaning.
But there is Radicalism, so called, which is
as great nuisance as genuine Radcalism is yir-
tue,-a Radcalism which is as destitute of reason
as it is OF principle, and is devoid of both as
hen is OF teeth. And perhaps there is no place of
It's size, where there is no Ofthis Radicalism
than In Lynn. Let us examine it, therefore
somewhat closely,-and endeavor, in obedience to
an old maxim, to give it g its due''
This false Radicalism to which I allude is a
loud talking, boastful, braggart sort of thing,
destitute of all religion, all reverence all decency,
all cleanliness, all refinement, all delicacy, all
honesty, all honor, and all love-and is therefore
repulslve to every person of the least elevation OF
soul, and is in harmony only with beasts and rep
tiles. Its principles are " oaves," and its priests
are loafers 1t has filthy mouth, and a filthy
taste-and outwardly and inwardly is full of all
uncleanness. 1t is combination of envy ieaI-
ousy, prejudice, ignorance, sensualism, brutality,
Incidence and spleen. 1t hates every thing better
than itself, and therefore has no need of social af-
lecuon,-Whlch principle, indeed has no part in
its composition. 1t is full partiality and hypoc-
risy, and to the idea, or fragment of an idea,
to which it clings most tenaciously, is willing to
sacuhce the whole decalogue, and all who have
any respect for it. 1t has volumes to saw about
elevating the people, while by its every hours
example it is leading them into the deepest deg
radiation. 1t is fond of the lowest and most dis
gushing amusements, and turns up its nose at any
thing polished or elegant with an instinct worthy
OF its parent sty. Under its auspices rowdyism
dourishing like a bed of weeds,-and grossness,
vulgarlty, and bad manners find in it their most
vigorous nourishment. In fact, to use a COMPARE
son somewhat in keeping with the subiect-it
serves as manure to every low and degrading vice
in the community
devote little space to the exposure of this
sort of Radicalism, because it is stupidity, and
sometimes viciously, COMPOUNDED with that true
and wholesome Radcalism which is the vital en-
ergy OF every progressive soul, and because it
frequently rears up its hideous front in the reform
field, and by its loud braying, force to itself
large degree OF attention, and passes itself off up
on Ignorant and short sighted people, as the head
and front oil the radical movement.
This false radicalism is as destitute of the spirit
OF reform, as hyena is of love- or as carbon is
OF sweetness. Wherever it sees cleanliness, and
refinement and beauty, or discovers any attempt
to realize them,-lt sees mark for its coarse rid
icue and its nauseous criticism. Whoever will
not be hail fellow well metz with it. is looked
| upon as tyrant or aristocrat, while the man
whose natural distaste for the filthy and obscene
| leads HIM to shun it as he would pestilence, is
| bounced upon forthwith enemy Of the dear
| people. A clean shirt is enough to excite its
wrath at any time-and the slightest polish on
the boot will setit raving in an instant. 1t hates
water like the mad dog which is its appropriate
type and emblem and for pure air and the fra
GRANGE of green fields has a democratic contempt,
whichis nourshed to its fullest extent on tobacco
smoke and snuff. Its raiment is the filth which
is constantly generating from its unwashed skin
its yernaculdr, impertinence and brutality its
home, the heart of the lazy and licentious.
l have thus given tame and insufficient pic
ture of type of Radicalism whose braves and
broils are becoming daily more frequent, and
whose character ought long since to have been
And yet, faint as is my representation, Infinitely
short as it is of what might be truthfullv said. I
am certain the picture will be quickly recogniz-
ed by all except the imbruted and blear-eyed
original
A few words more and | have done This
Radlcalism which have been exposing TO pub
lie view, will, without doubt, be frequently found
complaining of real evils and advocating substan-
ual truths-just as the Devil is said at times TO
be preacher of Scripture. 1t will come, TOO.
frequently with fair sounding name-such as
the sc hard handed reformer'' g the friend of the
people, g the Democrat, Sc, SC. But anv one
with half an eye, and that but half open, must see
at glance that thing so utterly deficient in all
the elements OF true greatness, can never do any
thlng Tor the human race, which the human race
would not be infinitely better without
Lynn Pioneer