The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-06-28
Small Reformers.

The nnumerable fry of would-be reformers
of the present day, to whom years of grave re-
Election and laborious study of the science of
political economy In all its bearings and ramif-
cations amount to just nothing at all, are hap
PLY hit off in the following article from the
New York Sun, journal which is sometimes
agrarian enough, but which, in the present
case, amply vindcates itself from this imputa-
ton:
"There are number of very small reformers
in all communities, who like the fly on the wheel,
in the fable, love to contemplate themselves in the
middle ola dust no matter how raised Possess.
ing little talent, but any amount of impudence
they are continually announcing themselves to
the public az leaders in some new progressive
(') idea. They swell themselves out like HIsop's
frog, until they burst The progress of the use-
ful arts and sciences is kind Of progress in which
those who assist most make very little noise. The
progress pretenders and charlatans is all noise
and arrogance. 1t is cheat upon the weaker
minded portion of mankind Their reforms are
specuatons more than abors of bcnevolencc. In
stead of helping to expand and invigorate the hui
man intellect, they try to amuse it with worthless
baubles. They are corrupters of the mind. We
would say to the young especially, train yourselves
to think sodly all subjects. Examine, study,
reason, before you range yourselves this or that
side OF question Try to resist the attraction Of
novelty, tho dazzle of tinsecd thoughts. A good
idea, like finely chiselled statue, requires no
snowy dress to make it admired. II arrests atten-
ton Of itself Empires in reform are easily de-
tected by all who have acquired the habit of OBJ.
serving and reasoning closely. We wish more
would acquire the habit
"Mapy Of the SO called prog ressive ideas of the
| present age atheistcal, infidel in their ten
dency, and should, therefore, be frowned down in
a Christian community. The press is too ready to
foster these ideas under tie plea of Hbcrality. A
liberal press, and press lending its aid to the cir
culation Of phiosophic nonsense and infide teach
| ings, are quite distinct. Womcn's Rights Conven-
tons, mass meetings to agitatc new female CO.'S
tune, and all ouch absurdities as are allowed to
engage so much Of tho public press under the name
OF reforms and progressive IDEAS should be treated
as nothing but bubbles produced on the surface of
the tide of progress by the grotesque antics of a
small fry of ntcects who can attract attention in
| no other way
"And since we have been led to speak of Wo-
| mems Rights conventions, and new female COS
tune, we will present readers with the Apostle
! Paula views on these questions. Paul was a real
| reprmer, and laborcd zcalously in the work of
human progress. The same folIics seem to have
existed in his time that exhibiting themselves,
perhaps more extensively, in the present day. In
his first cpstle, letter to Timothy, he nstructs
him what he shall teach, and how he shall govern
as minister or bishop in the gospel church; and
among other instructions he gives the following:
+" In like manner, also. that women adorn them
! selves in modest apparel, With manufactures and