New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1845-11-07
Rudicalisu.

Simply speaking Radicalisrn is that which goes
to the roo, of things-and is, therefore necessary
10 all thorough reform or investigation. II is the
opposite of supercial-ism. Without il no man ever
attans 10 any thing great morally or intellectually.
Il is the corner stone OF all true reform of all true
character. He who is afraid of it is Q coward he
who persecu;es it is bgot. he who despises il is
fool. I write now OF Radicalism in lis simplest
sense. and according TO its literal meaning.
But there is 4 Radicalism, so called. which is as
great n nuisance as genuine Radicalism is virtue.
"a Radicasn which is a. destitute of reason as it
is of principle and is as devoid OF both as hen is
of tceib-And perhaps there is no place OF its size
where there is more oil this Radicalsm than in Lynn
Let US examine it, therefore, somewhat closely
and endeavor in obedience 10 an old maxim, 10 give
it ITS dUe''
This false Radicalism 10 which | allude is loud
talking boastful braggar sort OF thing destitute
of all religion all reverence all decency, all clean.
Illness. all refinement all delicacy, all honesty all
honor. and all love-and is therefore repulsve TO
every persoo of the least elevation OF soul and is
in harmony only with beasts and reptiles It's prin-
ciples are "loaves" and its priests are loaers. Il
has filthy mouth and fi;hy taste-and outwardly
and inwardv is full of all uncleanness Ii is COM
bination of envy. jealousy, prejudice ignorance
sensuasIn brutality Incidence, and spleen II hates
every thing better than itself and therefore has
need of social atfection,-whCh principle, indeed,
has no part in its composition ltls full OF partially
and hypocrisy and 10 the one idea or fragment Of
an idea. TO which it clings mos, tcnacousy, is will
ling 10 sacrifice the whole decalogue, and all who
have anv respect for it, Ii has volumes TO say about
elevatinr the people, while by It's every hours ex.
ample il is LEADING them into the deepest degradation
II il fond of the lowest and most disgusting amuse
ments, and turns up It's nose at any thing polished
or elegant with IN instinct worthy OF It's parent sly
Under its auspices rowdyism fiourishes like bed
of weeds-and grossness, vulgarity, and bad man
ners find in it their most vigorous nourishment- In
fact. 20 use comparison somewhat Ii keeping
with the subiect-it serves as manure 10 every low
and degrading vice in the community.
devote little space TO the exposure OF this sort
of Radicalism. because il is stupidity and sometimes
vicousy COMPOUNDED with that true and whole
some Radicaism which is the vital energy OF every
progressive soul, and because it frequently rears
IN its hideous front in the reform field, and by
its loud braying forces TO itself large degree OF
attention and passes itself off upon ignorant and
short sighted people, as the head and front of the
radical movement.
This false Radicaism is as destitute of the spirit
Of reform rs n hycna is OF love, or as carron Is OF
sweetness. Wherever Il sees cleanliness, ana re-
iinement. and beauty or discovers any attempt TO
realize them, sees mark for its coarse ridicule
and its nauseous criticism. Whoever will not be
.1hail fellow well met! - with it's looked upon
az n tyrant or an aristocrat,-while the man whose
natural dstaste for the filthy and obscene leads him
TO shun il rs he would pesiencc, Is pounced
upon forthwith as an enemy OF the dear people. a
clean shr, is enough to excite its wrath at any
timc-and the slightest polish the boot will set it
raving in an instant. 1t hates water like the mad
dog which is its appropriate type and emblem and
for pure air and the fragrance OF green helds has
democratic contempt which is nourshed TO its fullest
extent on tobacco smoke and snuff Its ralment Is
the filth which is constantly generating from its
unwashed skim its vernacu!ar, impertlnence aud
brutality its home, the heart of the lazy, and Ii
cen,ious.
have thus given tame and insufficient picture
of type of Radicasm whose braves and broils
are becoming daily more frequent and whose
character ought long since 10 have been setched by
q more bold and glowing pencil. And yet, faint as
is my representation infinitely short as it is of what
might be truihiully said, | am certain the picture
will be quickly recognized by all except the I'M
bruted and bear-eyed original.
A few words more and | have done. This Ra-
dcalism which have been exposing 10 public view
WILL without doubt. be frequently found complain
ing of real evils and advocating substantial truths
jus: as the Devil is said ut times, TO be preacher
Of Scripture. II will come too. frequently with
lair sounding namc,-such as the hard handed re-
former" the friend of the people, "the Demo.
crat," &c &c But any one with half an eye, and
that but half open, at glance that thing
so utterly deficient in all the elements OF true great
ness eau never do any thing for the human race,
which the human race would not be infinitely better
without. Lynn Fiohecr.