The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1847-11-20
Extract from the
zone Progressive PrincipIe.'


"One Progressive Principle.''
AN ADDRESS BY J. r. HEADLEY BEFORE
TIE SOCIETIES OF TIE UNIVERSITY OF YER
MONT AT least there has been a steady
progress in one principle which is changing,
and shall change the face of the world
Whatever the final Issue may be-whe,her
it shail save or wreck the hopes of man. it
is To introduce a new era, and give us hu.
man life under a new Iom--l mean the
democroiIc principle. would could relieve
the mind from all those definitions which
political demagogues have given this term,
aud it might be allowed ITS legitimate tne
meaning the right of man 10 govern him
selt-lhc right to think. speak. aud act for
himself. all growing ont of his personal
worth. Perhaps it would be better 10 call it
the republican principleor the doctrine of
equal rights refer now to the word al
large, and more especially 10 civilized Eu-
rope: In watching the rise aud progress Of
his principle, tracing ii through lis bloody
con iIcts--its defeats anl victories, witness
sung lis sutierngs and transports. and be
holding how the thought and strength OF the
world have been concentrated npon il,
have felt that he who would write out the
future history OF man mast study it'deeply.
make 10 apology for bringing this subject
before you, although it may not seem in
every respect appropriate 10 this occasion.
50 long as i is the burden of The true poet in
every land and the Inspiration OF the artist il
ms brightest creations and has been aud Is
lle end and AIM Of The scholar in every age,
it h"iouga not to jhe politician but 10 you.
a, behold it steadily max ing It's way
over the earth, to-day assuming the charac~
ter OF religious. Tomorrow OF political,
revolution, still gaining in every change, Ii
becomes 10 me the most momcntous of all
questions whatever The fate OF the world
turns on it, and of all men the scholar is
most deeply interested in it, In him is sup
posed to be lodged the true conservative
spirit Eiovug studied the past while living
Ia the present IA thoughtful yet practical
mAu--with knowledge, and the power 10
make that knowledge felt. he under heaven,
is the only pilot for the troubloua times on
which the governments CT the world are en-
;ering. When the strong checks Of arbi-
rary power are removed. and the reins are
thrown on the neck OF men, and they are
left 10 dash away i'll the Joy OF their recover
ed freedom, and at the bidding OF their own
strong impulses: there will be a chapter
written in human history that man shall
tremble 10 read.
What the design of God was, in shutting
No in the Jewish nation all those principle
and truths adapted to reform and civilize the
world, it is impossible to tell The greatest
pains emlo have been taken 10 keep the
nations of the earth in ignorance; and they
were left, While century ailer century pass
ed by, TO toll round in the same. circle, con-
fused rather than aided by the dim light of
nature. 1t may have been, to lei the world
try tie experiment Of taking care of itself. to
prevent similar folIies in future. and hence
give revelation. when it should be made
universal value ii would moi otherwise
have possessed. AT all events, man was
kept in a state of se.vitude and ignorance
Even the proud Roman had no idea of per
sona worth. il am Roman cizen.' he
exclaimed, and in that lay his dignity. Hold
ING the proud rank Of Roman citizen, he
could confront kings without being abashed,
hut in Rome he was a slave. Under the
shadow OF the Palaine Hill he walked, si-
lent and fearful. There, he never uttered,
Il am II man, He was a Roman, derIv-
inc his greatness from the city in which he
dweit still, he was not tnam, borne up
with the consciousness of his individual
areatess--his personal value Christ was
the first who ever uttered tins truth. 1he
masses had always been addressed as mere
instruments made for the handiwork Of
kings and chieitains but Christ. as he stoop-
ed over the hitherto despised multitude, and
whispered in their astouished ears ''GE
ARE MEN, startled into life spirit that no
couiurng has since been able TO lay II was
"A revolutionary sentiment. more dangerous
to the Roman power and to all the Caesars
of the world than to proclaim himself King
of the Jews To tell men--despi-ed igno-
rant fishermeu--that they were children OF
common paren,--younger brothers of the
Son of God, who was no respec:er OF per
sous, was waking up whole world OF
thought in the human heart: and pouring
through il emotions more terrible than the
'hrob of the earthquake. From that mo-
nent life took difereu, leyol. For ages,