Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1849-09-12
fully deineated in The history Of. number
less nations that have gone berure us.


less nations hat have gone before US:
Another evil Of this spirit, is, its sendcn:.
cy TO unseltle important fixed opinions aud
principles. 1t must strike lhe most casual
observer, that there already exists in oar
country, an alarming degree of. practical
infdeily-we du MOI mean alone, os To re-
Iieious matters. but likewise in morals aud
politics. Where are we TO find Tho lrue
faith touching these important hraDches of
knowledge, on which rest the welfare and
permauency Of all well-ordered govern.
Emenl? There seem. indeed, 10 be few
fixed principles among US. II would be
difficult for any Of usto define our moral,
political, orrelgious creed. In all these,
I'VE seem all things 10 all men. Religious,
moral and political secIs are multiplied
among us without number. And every
Sect has IT'S precepts and practical rules Of
action. There is no true faith 10 which
the national mind con recur. No one can
point to a standard Of national religion.
nallonal morals, national politics, or ma
tional literature. The Iule Of action in the
political world is the will OF the predomi-
naut faction. Every man cuts his faith TO
suit his sect or faction, and changes mis-
sect or faction to osut his personal Interests.
How amid such multiplicity Of rules and
conflicting opinions, can affairs long have.
a sure established order? Aud this state
of things is becoming more alarming every
year of our uarioual existence. The spirit
for change. which we have been denoun-
cling. greatly augments this evil of uubelicL,
while the latter reacts powerfully upon
the former. Ihry are mutually produc.
tire of each other. Unless they be checked,
we emnst before mauy years, fall inlo de-
plurable state Of general nideliIy--lhat
Ctrberion Bog Of na'ional degradation,
from which i, is difficult for nation 10
escape.
But another and most serious evil Of
this spirit, is. that it leads people from
The simplicity Of character. aud vir!uous.
ness Of manners. generally characteristic
Of the founders Of governments, aud on
which rest The permanent happiness and
glory of nations. History has added inn
mortal honor 10 the plain virtues and Wis:
dom Of Moses. Solon, Lycurgus, Romulus,
Numa, Alfred, and Washington. Iu the
character OF these men. there is an atlrac-
live beauty and subEmity, that pure and
vrtuous minds cannot fail to admire.
Their profound wisdom, their high inles-
riry, and their devoted patriotism. cons,i-
tue the sublime of human character.
These men sraud out emineutly on The
pages Of history, as bright exemplars of
wisdom and excellence; and the ages in
which they lived are emphalically called
the "golden ages" Of their counlry-peri
ods in which apisdom united with true tore
Of country to work for The good Of man.
kind; a combination extremely rare amid
the conflicting pussions OF an advanced
state of society.
TO emulate the virtues Of these uoble
men, aud To strive after their simplicity Of
manner, aud depth of practical wisdom
have ever been held the highest objects Of
human anibilion. In these efforts, man
approaches toward The sublime character
of Hin, who, divine in nature, appeared
upon earth to teach men The ways Of wis
dom aud truIh. And by these ways, he
works for the promotion Of true national
greatness. That nation, stands The best
chunce for real greatness, which strives 10
preserve its primitive simplicity Of man
ners and customs; its early integrity Of
character and purify of wisdom: lis youlh-
(nl spirit Of patriotism. and tho Institutions
reared uuJer is pure direction. How
cautiously, then. should a people depart
from those primeval villucs, that usually !
distinguish their early ancestors! How
fearful and cnusderate, should be their
etlurls in Introducing change and fancied
reforms! Let us try, aIuid The rash spirit
of innovation around us, to hold on To The
pure vrues aud wise institutions Of our
ancestors. Let as mol forget the name,
and spirit, and age cfWashi"gton!
OSE OF THE PEOPLE.