Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1845-09-02
WAR Ar~D TIE WISCONSIN ARGUS.

which condemns war and advocates and sus
talns peace, is consequent upon NOR
general diffusion, and corresponding dilu
lion Of knowledge, and correct moral sent
ments." People will differ in opinion, bu
Tor our own parf,the disposition which woul
originate such sentiment as this, we thinl
manifests most famentable d;lution of nor
ali. When reforms of long existing error
deeplyTooted in popular opinion arc under
taken, the reformists have every thing t,
contend against. The errors have cXiste,
so long, that the great mass humankind col
ceive them a permanent and immulalable
condition of nature, whlchit is all folly Il
attempt 10 change. Thus great share O
mankind believe that to sin, is the natural
condition of man, and TO believe him ere.
AZURE of good instead of evil is an insane
belief; and 10 attempt TO change him, an
insane attempt Now the advocates of this
condition cannot help but admit that The
| character Of that portion Of mankind who
have lived under the influences of light and
knowledge, has changed in time very es.
senlially for the better, and is continual,
changing. What has become of the early
physical persecution for opinions sake, the
burning for witchcrafi, and k ndred supers,i.
tons. Was it not an expanding of mind
an orousing and an awakening from the dark
ness ofslavish ignorance tina, originated the
war of the revolution, and secured The indie
pencerce of the colonies; indeed, was il not
in that case,a direct triumph ofsuperior en-
lghtment and intelligence. But no.wi,h-
standing we have changed and are Changing;
notwithstanding old things have passed a.
way and become more in accordance with
The spirit of a more enlightened age, we
have class Of philosophers, Just now, as
we have alwys bad, who appear TO think that
every thing has been developed and discov-
cred, that we have attained the summit of
wisdom, and there is no future knowledge
in store for US. They possess precisely the
same spirit that animated Gal:leo'sjudges--
the changes ofihe past have learned them
nothing-what they sec with their prejudiced
eyes they consider immu'abe, and all eff
forts TO- change lit.le less than sacrilcpe.--
That man has progressed from the darkest
night olignorance TO comparative light:s tons
abesievsdenee that he vsillyet progress ;ihat
in this progression error after error has been
discarded, is to us conclusive, that tine TO
come will bling the same changes; and as
progression Of necessity implies point 10
be attained, We consider that all error will
eventually be discarded, and man will stand
forth,th perfect man-the perfect christian.
When we consider the constitution OF the
human mind-iis abilities to investigate, to
develope facts, and TO beneicially apply the
knowledge so attained, we can come TO no
other conclusion, than in the progress oftime,
all truths of nature must be developed, the
requirements of nature understood, and man
adapt himself to them-which will be nei-
Their more or less than perfect condition
Look abroad upon the face of society now.
Are there no changes 10 be desired. A great
many false institutions, have been abolished
are there none in existence now, which de-
serve the same fate. Are not one half the
population ofcivilized countries crying for
bread? and will the editor of The Argus or
any one else contend that the world does
not furnish bread for them. Certainly not,
but yet with stubborn inconsistency, they
contend there must be no measure of relief
tried Ito suffer, to perish,is immutable, and
it is fanaticism 10 attempt change. Four
ierism is denounced as every thing bad, sim
ply because il is an attempt 20 draw good out
of evil--to make comfort where poverty has
existed and happiness and peace, where has
heretofore been discord. II is called fanati-
clsm and agrarlanism, simply because il is
in opposition to condition of things, which
these men'have grown in the midst of, and
therefore consider immutabic, the changes
of the past teaching them nothing. So all
reforms are denounced We are all willing
to admit that an immense deal of evil We,
exists, Blu, these philosophers are not willing
TO permit any effort 10 change it. Ithds ex-
,sied, therefore il shall exist. But these eff
| fort are futile. Whether the peculiar
system OF Fourier or any other at presen
developed, is successful or not, is inmate
rial. The attempt maniiests the throes o
mind to nd ilselfof error and evil; and The
goodwill be worked out. Like other systems
that Of Fourier must partake of the inper
fcctions of The minds which govern IFS work
ings: but i, is better than the present sys
tenn, and in time may take its place in In
past for something still better.
But tits War, more particularly that w
designed to speak of Ifw we did endors'
the sentiment that there could be no peac'
bu, which was honorable, and no war bu