Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1847-02-18
Funny PhraseoIogy.

Talleyrand or some other HONORABLE scoundrel once
observed that language given to wise men to aid
them in conceaing their IDEAS Whether this be true
not, there be doubt that adroit mystic
use of words can be very eecually made to conceal
ideas or Intentions For instance: Mr. Brownson in
one of his articles on the origin of Government which
appeared a. year or two ago, defined HUMANITY in
these terms
4" We are TO bear in mind that the genus humanity
what we call human nature-is no logical abstrac-
ton, but real existence; and in some sort, an exist
ence independent of individuals This is only saying
that humanity is humanity. This settled, we may
proceed step further. Humanity, in this generic
is causatve, active, creative This is affirmed
in affirming that humanity is reality Our notion
of reality is our notion of being substance, of
thing that is. But notion of something that is
that is to say, of being substance, is precisely
notion of cause or causative force"
Upon which the editor Of the Wilkesbarre, Pa,
Farmer perpetrated the following laughable quiz:
ave are to bear in mind that the genus of humbug,
what call natural humbug is logical abstraction,
but has real existence much a shad, and in
sort independent of fodder and friends just after
being elected to fat Office, though never actually
separable from individuals before election This is
only saying that humbug is still humbug any way you
choose fix it. This part of the weather being set
tied, we will venture step or two further Humbug,
in this pepper and ginger sense causative of much
CANNON, active as the creased end of perpetual mo-
ton, creative of promises and pancakes TITS is
both TO and affirmed in affirming that humbug
is member of the regular army. Our notion of
being member of the regular army is our faith in
factons-and faith is the substance of things hoped
for, the evidence of things not But notion
Of something that Is, is our notion OF jackass-for
jackas, is-and not only is that is to say Is; but
lackass physically considered. conveys precisely
notion of cause kicking, and causatve force, and ex
lists Independent of individuals-so does meeting
house."
But TO leave jokes and return to realities. Brown
sons mysticsms do excel the sylogstic and tech
meal phraseology of some of the Greek schools of
philosophy if we may rely on an example given by
Brown in his philosophic lectures, where he quotes
how scholastic logcian proves by long technical
augmentation that the impossible differs from what
is possible, TO wit:
Whatever Of itself and in itself includes things
contradictory, differs itself from that which of itself
and in itself does not imply anything contradictory
But what is impossible of itself and in itself involves
things contradictory; for example, irrational hu-
man being, round square. But what is possible Of
itself and in ITSELF includes no contradictions There
fore what is impossible in itself differs from what is
possible"
If these examples be not sufficient to satisfy the
present cravings Of those who love " a diarrhea of
Words" commend to them second reading of
{" the Butler bill"