The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1847-02-13
The Proper Course.

Im,6re Steriing worm man all the g0I0e
.no,n egms handed down to us in Il
81 much ,,aIued dogmas Of the schoc
.a W.. -, can his celebrated adag,
"be s's sure you are right, then n, go ahead
This mo i;sI principle was 'sIa the mott, motto
the Iamenteo and taleL 'eu !, hssgssl.- Z, sss =
"Convice me of what is rigl " in in ~ -
stract. and will carry 1t ou' ,uI
practice" This noble sentiment c.
only actuate a noble mind, ana lie wh'
will carry out its spirit in his action
is more to be admired than are those
formal theorists, who may be compar.
ed to whitened sepuIchres, width an sx'
terror Of brightness, and an inside Of
corruption.
We should not, however, be over
hasty in casting unmerited censure on
those who do not always pursue the
right. Men cannot direct their course
with any certainty, if their road br
through labyrinth of gloom and dark
ness. Ii we wish them to progress
with safety and certainty, we must
throw light on their path; and we
should not condemn others. who have
not advantages which we enjoy, if their
prejudices and their passions OCCASION
ally lead them astray.
Give the masses light show them
what is right and what is wrong-tell
them what course is most conducive TO
their interests and their happiness
tel them that every error they COM
NIT in morals, IN social duties, 10 po-
litical action, will tend to their own in
jury, and we may soon find. that they
are not so stupid and insensible, as some
affect to believe they are, and whose
interest it is to keep them ever in the
dark. IL is mistaken idea that the
people do not know the extent of their
own wants, aud that they must needs
have guardians and purveyors to pro-
tect their interests and provide for
their necessities. They do knoD, and
they sometimes speak them in Ian
guage not to be misunderstood nor in
cautiously opposed; and nolwithstand-
ing the numerous influences that have
been brought 20 cooperate against him,
man is steadily progressing.
There are two essential elements of
political knowledge, on the Ego ahead"
system, which men OF the present day
are beginning to understand much bet
ter than they were un 1erstood by those
who preceded them. These are their
power and their rights; and they know,
that TO ENJOY the one. they must fire.
quently exercise the other. Certainly,
they have obtained this knowledge at
a very liberal, though, perhaps, not too
high price; and If they have groaned
for centuries in thraldom, they may
now rejoice that more conspicuous
destiny awaits them. Truth, "wilh an
eye that never winks, and wing that
never tires" has dispelled the gloom
by which they were surrounded, and
the temple that tyranny and corruption,
and selfishness reared to commemo-
rate their empire over human energies,
will, like gianl Despalr's castle, be hurl-
ed 10 the earth.
We are well aware Of the slowness
with which the human mind advances
to the temple Of truth. ltpauses, in its
onward course 10 examine every OBJ.
ject and to remove every doubt; but
when once satisfied that it is in the right
path, it collects all its energies and its
progress becomes irresistible. The his
tory of the past, and the experience of
the present age, give ample evidence
OF the slow process, by which reforms
have been effected. Men would soon.
er submit to slight wrongs than en-.
counter "evils which they knew not Of"
Hence, for centuries they had been
travelling in circle like blind horse
on MISUNDERSTANDING at work but
making no headway. But the school
inaster has been abroad. and they have
learned from "IuHged nurse," that
her security and happiness are always
more securely guarded when placed in
lheir own keeping.
lie who causes two blades Of grass
10 grow, where only one grew before,
IS, doubtless, great benefactor to his
country; but he who leaves the narrow
circle of antquated prejudices-who
boldly stikes out into new and unex-
oored path, for the happiness and pros
oeritv of his fellow men, is in our hum.
ole opinion, a muc;n greater benefactor
10 mankind. Such men examine the
whole Held, they investigate every ef-
ect, they follow j; up to its cause, and
they spread the map Of their experience
before the eyes Of the inquiring multi
tuds. Truth induces conviction, and
impels action.
It's upon these truths that the great
democratic party Of this country--nay,
Of the World, is now erecting column
III nolitical rights that must ere lonp