Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1851-10-30
WhiR Illusions.

II we did not know how powerfully mems wishes
affect their opinions could not believe that the
present noisy distemper of the Wing orators, and
abandone1 ideas, principles, logic and common sense;
besides placing in allegiance all those specific objects
which they ouce professed to seek as political par
ty, that it is impossible to believe, upon any princ-
pie of reason that their loud speeches and terrific de-
monstrations OF applause, not the episodes of
great farce Bnt, then, their orators labor SO painfully
deliver themselves of mock orations, and so disn-
terestedy strive 10 stutiiy themselves that one is
constrained to feel, that sincerity minges with
their present, general pantomimic illusions.
Nobody can tell, what ridiculous extremes an IL
fusion will lead man when he once begins to fol.
low it. The universal Chinese nation are an illus
trIous example OF this fact and the Wing leaders
might pro6tably study the customs and manners of
that people, If they have any wish to exaggerate
their present methods Of imposing upon the credu-
fy of that unfortunate class who are still deceived by
them.
The Chinese, like the Wings assume that a con-
quest in imagination is real conquest; that the ac-
tual triumph of their is mark Of supereroga.
ton, SO long as they make their own valiant he
roes suppose that their foes have been overthrow,
or are to be discounted. Acting upon this princ-
pie, they paint the most dreadfuiy fantastic figures
upon the sides Of then junks, in order to frghlen
their enemies they stuff their warriors clothes
with cotton batting, in order to make them look for
midabe they each soldier with two swords
that he may clash them against each other, and
strike terror instead OF steel, into the bosoms Of his
antagonists and they vent their wrath upon the
captives, whom they wish they had taken, by giving
She baStinado to their straw-stufed efigies The
Cinnamon tight With Illusions conquer BY SUPPOSE
ton, and signaze their imaginary triumphs by the
most obsiePerons cheers, and laundering explosions
of gongs.
This fictitious heroism, and ideal system of beat
ing their foes, has been adopted by the Wings. Ia
their efforts TO ssredeem the State'' 10 hnnkerism
they have largely avaiIed themselves Of the example
OF the pig-taied mandarins Of the g Celestial I'm.
pre-" They utter the most incoherent piatidues,
believing that loudness of speech compensates for
weakness OF argument-and that laundering sounds
produced by the clubs and boot-hees of mere boys,
are as respectable evidences Of moral force as the
production Of deep and serious convictions in the
minds Of men,
No man can be present at Wing meeting, now
a-days, without having the conviction forced upon
his mind. that he has got into an ideal world or
that the people among whom he stands, and Me per-
sons TO whom be isteas, have been imposed upon by
some juggIe Of the imagination. He is reminded of
the poor old borse. which having pair Of green
spectacles tied above his nose. was induced to eat
A A
grsss. There is such ready acceptance Of fictitious
stassmsasss aed such seady belief ~ victories to be
son, by the Wings, IL fhe presesce Of their inhe-