Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1845-09-11
For the Waterman and Journal
EXTRACT FROM AN UNPUBLISHED
AnnR L,SS


The political wise men of the day in their calcu-
lations on the prospects and destinles Of our
try, seem to overlook the old fashioned and now
almost obsolete truth, that the family is the origin
Of the State, and that flial subordnalion, and re-
spectfu difference to aye and station are the true
grounds. or rather the conditions prerequisite to
duttul submission to, and love for public law
and order, and that they consequently are the true
basis Of public prosperity. utsuch TRUTHS though
old fashioned aud so familiar as to have lost their
power TO influence men, are none the less true for
all that and sooner or later they assert themselves
show that they have ~ intimate connection with
the veal Of the realm the substantial prosperity
Of the commonwealth. Obedience to duty, sub
mission to right Is the principle which lies at the
foundation Of government. This is the religious
clement that IN the State which appeals to the
higher and less selfish part of human nature, and
gives to government the character and authority of
something 4" ordained Of Cod But, he who has
not learned respect Tor duty when embodied in pa
rental law, religious veneraton for the authority
Of age or station, will hurdly be likely TO respect
them when presented in the less tangible form of
public law. restless, reckless spirit Of insubor
dlnation is the natural result Of failure IN fal
reverence, and contempt for the authority Of hoary
hairs The necessary veneruton for duty as en-
bodied in law, whether parental or public Is unde-
veoped and the indvidual the sport OF passion,
the slave Of the baser part Of his nature, is ready
prepared, as an instrument Of destruction to all
This unholy dIsrespect for that which in Its ma
turc or from its position, is venerable, is ike the
B0hon Upas in our political atmosphere sending
forth in lis poisonous eXhalatons the ads of death
rendering frail and weak all that which ought
to be most stable in society, Like the robe Of Nes-
sus, to change the figure, 1t cncloses IN lis hery
folds and consumes the very life OF the state, de-
stroyiLg utterly the sources Of national welfare
Our country may be rich powerful in numbers and
resources, but it never be prosperous while
there is wanting n respect for law, because 1t IS
law,-t1 duty because 1t is duty-and TO the con-
siituted authorities because they are the Legitimate
cXpounders Of law and day. IL may well be IN
CURED if sad change has not come over us in
this respect and if a return to something like the
manners of our fathers is not desirable both for
private comfort and happiness and the public veal
But how can such consummation be expected,
when in the very school of the State, Semlndrium
reipubticG, as Cicero calls the family, the lesson
practically taught is that all men are equal and
moreover that all children are eqnal TO men, and
have a right 10 set up opinions OF their own and
mark out a couise Of conduct for themselves inde-
pendent of guidance or control. 1t Is sad omen
for community, that the hoary head should no
longer be a crown of glory in its midst, that no
one may be permitted to speak with authority, and
that are experience and official station give no IT,
tie to respect, confer no claim for reverent atten-
ton. However prosperous such community may
seem to be, 1t is in imminent peril. The very foun-
dallons of Its existence are undermined the strong
pillar of the State is removed, and chance alone
preserves it from destruction. 1t may seem out OF
place, when all prophesying good 10 our coun-
try, talking of It's future grandeur and success, as
things certain, to say a word of fear to express
anxiety lest this unwonted apparent prosperity may
coeXist with disease at the heart OF society.
Scout the idea as we may--laugh at 1t as prepos-
ferrous, a phantom called up by some melancholy
mind. and possessing truthful existence only in the
brain that originated it, still it is true that our
country is in danger of ruin. And this danger a.
rises not from Bank nor an-bank princp es-not
from Tariff or Free Trade notions, Slavery or Alb
clifton, but from the absence of, what is of infinite.
ly more consequence TO the pubIlc veal than any
all of them home culture, domes c discipline,
which may we'll be considered as the makers of
good citizens, as the living conservative elements
IN the State.
That these elements are sadly wanting in Amer
lean society, need not he proved. Facts within the
notice of every one equivalent to demonstra-
ton on the point under consideration.
How can it be expected, tina; should be rever-
ent to the authority Of public law, or to the
majesty of God who has never learned to submit
to the will of those who have the first right 10 de-
mand his obedience? 1t is vain to hope for IT.
The habit of dsobedience, and disrespect TO home
ipline, ripens into contempt for public law. A
habItu i trampllng on the dictates of the hottest
principles in human natnre-the violation of the
duty taught, almost by the first instincts of lie, is
but fair preparation for reckless disregard ofall
right, human or divine. The State can never be
secure, while iIial reverence, and its natural pro-
duct, respect for age and station, are
Terms which we do trundle smoothly DER tongues
Like distractions, empty sounds, to which
We form feeling and attach no force.
Whether we attach it or not, there is force in the
words, flial subordinatlon "subjecon to the high
er powers" which will some day make itself felt,
" make know
The meaning of our words, force feel
The dissolution and the agony
Of our wild dongs,'