Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1852-06-18


examination and if he is liable to err
: much the more are men in general, wher
speaking iinmaturely.
J But when the people carefully weigh
a question, they ate more apt, in the mair
to be correct, than even great intcllects
A strong common sense is the peculiar
distinction of the masses. No fayorite
theories, no wire-drawn distractions, nc
} solemn prejudices derived from classical
studies, puzzle their judgments, or per
vert theit conceptions. This is strikingly
exhibited, though on a small scale, in
jury trials. The annals Of the coirts
preserve the history of many curious cases
in which judges and lawyers kave well
nigh been baffled, but in which the homely
sense Of twelve men in a jury box ha,
asserted the ends Of justice. There is q
further reason for this, perhaps, beyond
the one which We have just described. A
dozen of minds, with all their differences
Of education, habits of thought, and othe.
pesuliarities, looking at subject from as
many varied aspects, are much more apt
to arrive at a just estimate of it, than one
or two minds only, however acute the
latter may be. And if twelve minds
possess this advantage, much the more do
a thousand, and still more do hundred
thousand or million. Any question,
discussed before such an audience as the
latter number, can not but have its entire
truth or fal:ity, eliminated. A PROPOSE
ton, filtered through a million of minds,
must inevitably come out pure:
We have entire faith, therefote, in the
peoples decisions; and as we have faith
In them, we have reverence for them. But
we do not confound the ebullitions of an
hour with these solemn adjudications !;
the ripple on the surface, with the deep
eternal current. Many persons, however,
make this mistake and hence the COM
mon dread of doing what is unpopular
The true way is to enquire achat is right.
Never ask whether this, or that measure
is unpopular ask only is it right and
if this is done, there is an end to the
matter. Sooner or later, the people will
side with you, however far off they may
appear at first. For the people seek
truth, worship it in fact, and ultimately
will arrive at it. The arts Of tinie-serving
politicians, those "blind leader. Of the
blind )" old habits Of thought descending
from their ancestors and other causes
may, for while, pervert the judgment Of
the people ; but, in the end, these cb-
structions will disappear from before the
peoples vision, and they will pronounce
for the truth, in all its severe, yet heavenly
majesty. Ask not, we repeat, sis it pop-
ular," but, sis it right" or rather remem-
Der that whatever is right, ,cW ultimately
be popular. Advocate, therefore, truth,
boldly, openly, without reservation.
If You are & statesman, and great
question arises, cast aside every considsra-
tion of tenn cary popularity, look ahead
past the mists of the present, and decide
for what is justice and truth. If you are
minister of God, consult only the teach
ings of His Holy Word, and regardless
how much you may offend municipalities
and powers" ,preach the s'.ruth onca
delivered to the Saints" If you are a
private citizen, and are called on to vote
for or against any important question,
slit it thoroughly, with an eye to the
verdict of the future, and then courage
ously give your opinion. There are sub
jects, thus continually presented to states
men, divines, and private citizens, which
are frequently decided, not under solemn
sense of responsibility, but with an eye to
what is popular for The moment.
In urging an appeal to what is right,
rather thar to what is popular, we do net
mean to recommend a recourse to visionary
theories any more than to hasty judgment.
It is favorite trick with would-be refor.
mers to cry that they only are right; to
pretend that the future will inevitably be
on their side !; ard to stigmatize all who
differ from them as dwelling dCtards of
the past. Such men are dangerous in the
extreme. The only way to avoid their
errors, as well as the errors of a blind
conservatism, is to follow the golden rule,
"search all things, and hold fast to that
which is right "-Euening Bulletin.
"No USE OF TALKING. "A young
Ophiric enthusiast was talking to his in
tended few evenings since, urging Upon
her speedy marriage, and start to spend
the honey moon in California.
"I tell you," said he, his face glowing
with enthusiasm, "Califoruia is the para