Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1850-07-31
arro,M AND PERFORMERS.

Tho lea or Reform, il not the very word, has eA-
;sed almost since the creation, certainly since Inc
fan of man Many persons, however, seem not 10
hs aware Of the fact, but to imagine that it is new
invention or discovery lately introduced along win
rail roads and electric telegraphs. Some ihoeeo'
seem to imagine themselves the inventors ana Pa'
entees. and claim the exclusive right to make, use
and yend the commodity. Yet, as we have intlma-
ted from the earliest periods of the history of the
world mankind have been agitating reforms OF vari-
ops kinds. social, religious aud poIcal-some wise
and salu,ary, others rash and destructive.
As projects and schemes of reform have been nu-
merous, reformers have been no less so. The no.
blest specimens of humanity who have blessed the
world by their labors have been reformers; and II
must no. be forgotten, also, that the most arrant
kn,ves and fanatics have assumed the same title as
a passport 10 the confidence of their fellow men.-
MARTIN LUTHER was jealous religious reforner,
and so was JOE SMITH. WILLIAM TELL was no.
ted political reformer, and SO were JACK CADE and
ROE Roy If zeal is 10 be taken as any test oil or
thodoxy in matters Of the kind, it may be mention
ed that the Highland Chiefiain commended Tor Inc
cardinal doctrire of his creed,
"Tho good old rule, the simple plan
That they may take who have the power
And they may keep who cam"
quite as earnestly did the Swiss patriot Tor his
OF social retormers we might mention many dIstln-
ouished names. Time would fail US to Tell oil FOUR
RIER, and OWEN, and SUE, and FANNY WRIGHT, all
selEstyled reformers as well the comparatively
small number Of true phanthropists real beneiactors
of their race, who have been designated by the same
ephet.
| We would not be understood by the foregoing as
insiuuating any invdious compar!son-oy no means
We only wish to show that there is nothing Ill Inc
mere name @Reformer' that should OF itself capnvate
and make us specially DESTROYS of wearingit. 1t has
sometimes been an honorable name to bear, but has
also, perhaps oftener been assumed for the most I'M
worthy purposes and used for the most destructive
ends We are denounced as anti-relormers. Well
the public know what we are for and what we are
against. We wont quarrel about clap-trap trltes.-
Mechanics answer very good purpose among
school boys grown up men generally 10 not attach
much importance to them, and people of common
intelligence can judge OF measures, by whatever name
those who advocate them are stigmatlzed vine
true distinction between the candidates for the Con-
venlion, (says the Lynchburg Vrgnan,) lies in the
degree to which they would carry the change. And
The proper terms, with which to distinguish them, is
not Reform and Aut-Reform We are all ReOrmers
some of US are ruled by reason, others by the too
ready adoption of popular decisions"
In this connection we commend to the attention OF
all whom it may concern, the following extract from
the celebrated SIDNEY SMITH, himself no inefficient
reformer in his day
eff YOU think right der fom the times, anu to make
stand for any valuable point of morals IT, however rus
tic however antiquaed, however pedanc 1t may appear
do il not for insoence, but seriously aud grdndt--as
man who wore soul Of his in his bosom and dld mol
wait Ill, il was beahed into him by the breath OF fashion,
Let men call YOU meau ii you knew yen are just hyp
oorit,sa e Oh honesiiv relg8qs; PusHonons' IL
vou feel that you firm resistance soon converts unprn-
cpIed wit into sincere respect; and no aer-time can
tear from you those feelings which every man carries with
in him who has made noble and successful eXeTlon IN
a y;.tuous cause