Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1850-10-03
EASTERN TIMES.
Bath, Thursday, Oct. 3, 1850.
The Morality of Politics.

We trust that the sensibilities of our read
ers will neither be shocked, nor their euuanim-
ity disturbed by the title of our article--at the
"hrst blush" it may seem strange, we confess
our purpose simply is to consider politics. or
the science of government, in reference to mo-
rality, or to subjects of reformatory character.
Government is an institution of society, Gre
ated by association, existing by and exercising
only delegated power. Man, in an individual
capacity, is subject only 10 the laws of nature,
and if mankind were naturally and equally en-
dowed with wisdom and the principles of jus
tice and equity, there would be no necessity
for any other lawsuit ignorance, the illu-
sions ofself-love and the blindness of the pas
sions, render some form of government abso-
lutely necessary.
We start, then, with this irrefragablc posi-
ton, that all well regulated associations or
bodies of men, acknowledge the necessity of
positive laws, for the promotion of individual
safety and happiness and as security for their
individual rights. Thephysical law of Knight
making right is thus superseded, and gen.
eral equalization of power secured. We have
thus analysed society, the more clearly and
forcibly to illustrate one idea, to wit-that in
dividual action does not necessarily partake Of
or have affinity with moral or religious belief
inasmuch as it is entirely distinct from it. A
man is governed, TO be sure, in his transactions
with his fellow man, by certain principles of
general adoption, on account of their general
application and truth-such as-that 'shonestv
is the best policy and other maxims of like
application. A mental, as well as physical
disparity among mankind is found, and where
is the individual so illiberal as to apply moral
or religious test to a mans private motives, or
to make declaration that a certain portion of
a religious creed or belief, is necessary in the
transaction of the common affairs of life,
In the nature of man there are three distinct
mental conformations-a moral, intellectual and
animal-each separate and independent of the
other. A moral or religious sentiment is in
nate in the human mind-but do all the duties
of life require or depend upon the operation of
this sentiment, BY no means. The compass
and chart are of more advantage to the mariner
at sea than creed or code of morals-a thor
ough, practical knowledge of ones particular
trade or calling, for success in life. than the
theoretical moralizings of whole life time
The attempt TO control this sentiment of our
nature is and has been from the earliest period
of society, entirely futile, and not only so, but
productive of the most disastrous and direful
results. How many pages of history are blur
red and blackened by records of prescription
for opinions sake-how many blood-stained
records can there not be found of religious in
tolerance, and prosecutions concocted and exc
cuted by power acquired by union of ''church
and state1''
We would not be understood as obecting TO
the salutary influences of morality upon the
secular concerns of life-neither as admitting
the potency of such influences. We would
place all questions and matters upon their le-
gitimate and proper ng-acknowledging |
the supremacy of divine law, we would not be |
unmindful of human laws. Take the temper
ance snbject-as moral, reformatory move
ment, it should receive the sanction and sup
port of the community, but when it is sought |
to be promoted by making political question
Of it, it utterly fails. And why1 because the |
good sense Of the community condemns as ut
terly futile resort to such means to carry on
moral reforms. The habits and character of |
man affect his standing, but in no greater de- |
gree is his political relation affected than his
private.
Again, the attempt to promote moral move
ments by the ballot box must fail on other
grounds. 1t is arbitrary in its character and
fails to produce conviction in the mnd-and
consequently settles no principle. Liberty of
thought is above all human enactments, and
the mind of man is susceptible of entertaining
theories innumerable and most DIVERSE
You may vote mans opinions down, but will
such an arbitrary proceeding carry conviction
to his mind, or convince him of the error Of his
position BY no means
"Ihe man convinced against his will,
Is of the same opinion still
And so of all questions of strictly moral char
acter sought to be promoted by political means
Instead of good being produced, the contrary
is more frequently the result. Prejudices, i'll
feeling and personal anmosities are engendered
and the mind wholly untitled for deliberation
and reflection.
In future No. we shall pursue this subject
further, and point out the only manner in
which We conceive that moral issues can be
successfully incorporated into political action
"Nobody but the South.
A few of the whiu presses of the North