The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1846-04-30
J,F. McC0LLAM, Printer.
From the Harhinger.
Society as Tested by Experience

unworthy OF the attention of men who
are governed by the dictates Of prudence
and common sense. Hence The lovers OF
the ast,-the timid adheTen,s to things
as they are,--lhe good, easy citizens with
whom the world has always gone we'll,
are quite content with the social order
that has brought such prosperity to them ;
it has put money in their purse, and i! is
foolish to hope for any thing better {; it
has clothed them, it not in purple and fine
linen, in the best Of fashionable broadcloth,
and how absurd to desire a change; it
has raised their names 10 a high rank 10
the circles, 10 which all the respeclability,'
all the fashion, all the decency are limited /;
and they can scarce hope for any thing
superior, even in the Heaven, which no
doubt is guaranteed to men Of such prop
erty and standing as themselves. They
must speak we'll of The bridge that has
borne them safe over the river !; and fiji
is good enough for them, it is good e.
nough for any body.
The test of personal experience thus
applied 10 the condition aud influence Of
society is fatal to all generous aspirations
after an improved order; in which the re-
latlons between man and man shall b.
founded on benevolence and justice, in.
which the conflicting interests that now
separate and embiuer those who are born
10 be brethren shall be combined in a
broad and comprehensive unity, and the
%favors, which are profuseIy poured forth
from the bosom Of bounliful Mature for
the benehi ola few, shall be applied 10 the
enjoyment and elevation of aIl. Every
argument presented 10 men who reason 10
this way, is like n cannon bal! against a
wall Of mud. They have one infalIibls
means Of resisting the force Of The mos.
powerful demonstrations, and that is, The
comfort and happiness which they have.
been able to secure for themselves and
their families, in The existing social organ
izatjon.
Hence, as a general rule, the desire for
social progress is the strongest among
those who have suffered most from the
present arrangement. 1t is easy TO sum-.
mon around the banner Of reform, those
who have been stalhed and SCARED IN tbs
fierce battle Of social competition they
are always ready for d change, no matter
how wild and ex!ravagant the form in
which it is proposed any thing for them
IS better than The state which has brought
such disappointment and wrelchedpess
over ttelr lives; and they welcome, viii
an almost insane enthusiasm, every pro-
mise which encourages them to hope for
brighter and better day. The mnsl they
know OF society, is the cup Of wormwood
rad gall which il has made them drink;
hey owe i. no thanks, for it has granted
them no boon they see in it no hailowed
-empIe, consecrated by fond recol!ec,ions
Of past ages, but a fabric Of oppression and
injustice, which they would rlze 10 the
ground, without leaving one slone upon
another. AT the same Time, they are the
least qualified, by the very sufsrinrs
which they have experienced, for he holy
duly Of reform and construction. Doom
ed from their birth 10 struggle with per-
disadvantages, seeing themselves
outstrlpped 10 the caree: Of life bv those
who would have had small claims where
The race was ooly 10 the swift, goaded by
he sight of giiue!ing przes which be-.
come The objects of more passionate desire
il proportion to the hopeIessness of their
attainment, they are tiiled with a spirit
fierce and reckless d~iscon,ent, and in.
OF The calm wisdom, the disinters
eSted devotion, the strong thirst for uni
Versal justice, and the religious veneTaion
Of The laws Of Providence, which are the
e%sSenlIa! found ion of all broad and per.
nanent improvement.
The only correct standard by which the
character o. society can be tested, is its
accordance with the principles of Ever
Right, and its tendency 10 promote
The highest interests Of all on whom it ex~
ertS an Influence. If we appeal merely
10 our personal experience, we shall ne
led astray. This is always a narrow mode
Of judging, and can hardly fail to prove
and injurious. We must look
ourselves. We must become cor.
Sclo1s of the Intimate connexion Of the
race, and cherish the feeling OF universal
humanity. While I'VE sit before a warm
lire, in rooms ceiled and carpeted 50 as to
defy the winter blast, it is the height Of
seIhshness aud folly 10 forget the weary
multitude, that are struggling with the
Storm, perishlng with the cold. and glad
o exchange the ills OF life Tor the bitter
ness Of death. We must ioquire, not what
he present social order has done for US,
out what ale its general effects and we
shall soon perceive, that it has been pro-
luclIve Of evils to large portion OF its
members. for which every principle Of
usiice and love loudly demand a remedy.
Tbe wisdom Of experience summons us 10
abor for m improved state Of society /; for
I shows us, without disguise, the perma~
lent and wide spread injury that has been
reduced by the past. We need not emu