The southern press., 1852-02-10
Modern ,lslns.

MOOCIu 7iSutb.
The tendency of what is called state ofhigl
civilization, is to dsintegrate or subdivide the
ectual and moral. The human body consists
of many members, the exercise and development
of all which are necessary, to symmetry, health
and excellence. Yet the minute subdivision O.
employment which results from what zoe regard
as vicious and distempered civilization, give:
exercise only to one or to few of these mem.
bers. In factories, one person works with a few
fingers at tying the threads of cotton another
in polishing the blade of knife, another in copy
ing with graver the form Of pattern. Prae.
tically, there is little use for any other part OF
his body, except as an appendage to his fingers
and hence the rest Of the body langushes, and
deformity ensues.
So in relation to the mind. Men are divided
into professional pursuits, and these are subdi-
yided. One man becomes not merely ply.
stefan, but an anatomist, or a dentist--another.
not satisfied with combining ,hims self TO the law,
dHndes down to conveyancer, and some be.
come painters of flowers, and performers on .
single Instrument Of music, for subs i-teEce.
And the great faculties of the mind, not being
required for these minute or restricted pursuits
are not exercised or developed but perish.
So in morals In wise and wholesome state
of morality and religion, the entire syAem OF
human duty is asserted, and all its parts are rec
ognized. But as the system of disintegration
or dsunion goes on, a few, or class Of virtues
receive the sanction Of society, and are enforced
by all the power of opinion and Of law, willis,
Others are sacrificed ~.. -
OF late years. temperance, as it is called, oil
abstinence from alcoholic and even fermentec
liquids, has become fashionable virtue. SO
cieties have been formed, pledges made anc
prescription proclaimed against all use, howeve
moderate, of beverages which, in excess, vii
intoxcate. Those engaged in this movement as
sumo the character Of moral reformers, although
they admit into such associations the votsries o
every other vice, gluttons, tops, misers, adulter
era and swindlers. But this might be excused
provided they confined themselves TO the expe
dients of moral sussion and voluntary selfre
straint The tendency, however, has occasion
ally been developed, of design to enforce, BY
political power and by legislation, conformity
TO this solitary fragment of moral code. II
the State of Maine, the sale of Intoxicating
liquors has been positively prohibited, under the
penalty Of confiscation, and in New York, Ohio
and other States, comprehensive movement j,
going on for the same purpose. A law like thin
is a sumptuary law. If il can be justified, VIII
not prescribe by law the costume of the people
If it we're reduced to a uniform standard o
eoafseness and simplicity, vast amount o
money would be saved, extravaganza would b.
prevented, and poverty, and want, and fraud
and cost, and furniture of dwellings! Why no
regulate diet, and restore the black porridge 0
Sparta!
Now sumptuary regulations are enforced o
the slaves Of plantation, and liquor protibite
very properly-on the ground that they ar
morally inferior and unfit TO govern themselvei
But for mere numerical majority in State {
impose such restraints on minority Of politics
or social equals, is 10 nforce one of the essenti.
conditions Of slavery. Such is the progress {
the North. Such is the modern transcendents
idea of liberty and equality
AS for success in any such attempt, il is esser
tally impossible. Compulsory morality is
contradiction in terms. And the result will onl
be n reaction which will run into the opposit
extreme. The movement, however, is deepl
significant. II proceeds on the assumption Q
great moral decline in the habits of the pee
pie, and the necessity Of reform and it betray
the incapacity Of the people to perceive, or the
insptitude to apply the effectual remedy.