Southern standard. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1851-1856, 1852-08-28
OIL q M B Z S /:
Morning, August 25, 1882
PrincinieS,

Man, unless he be guided and governed by
principles, which are deep rooted in the soul and
unyielding, is a most forlorn creature. Without
these he is contemplate, more degraded, more alb
iect than the beasts that perish. Endowed with
intellectual capacity-possessing soul that is des-
tined ''to outlive the stars''-set forward on the
raceeourse of life by spark of ethereal fire. scin-
tilated from Deity itself-he is capable of attain
ing his natural right rank but ''little lower than
the angels" Peculiarly exposed to fascinating
temptations, beset around with difficulties and dan
gers; prone as is human nature to err and com
NIT evil, there is no way by which he main
tain the dignity Of his nature, unspotted except
by drinking deep and imbibing thoroughly some
tangible principles; and to these he must adhere
with answering tenacity. These principles must
be sought without the precinct of his bosom
they should be the deductions of the past ex-
perience of mankind, and the result is they have
their foundation in truth. With such principles
for a foundation, the road of folly and corruption
will not be his
Mankind have political as well as moral obliga-
tions resting them, and they not SO dscon-
nected as may seem at the first blush-they are
Intimately cntwined with each other--and dere-
liction of the one involves the other to certain
extent. It's in vain to attempt to shake off either,
Action, in reference to both, hath its rewards and
its punishments. We admit that moral obga-
tons claim the first, and consequently the highest
considerations or, in the language of a sage, we
would say, ''be just and fear no-let all the ends
thou aim st at, be thy countrys, thy Gods, and
Truth" Next to the moral, We rank his political
obligations in Importance, and in reference to them
We would say they should be enduring as the
heavens.
The principles of human liberty have long been
known to the world and there are but few we think
whoa ignorant Of their full and specific charac-
ter True there are those who profess no knowl-
edge of their import-the term has no meaning to
them Truth has ever had to combat error; and
as fact has ever warred against fiction, readily
see that the contest is not yet ended. History,
the luminous reminder of the Past points with an
unerring sign to the last several centuries for an
illustration of the above. Is it surprising that the
principles of civil and rational liberty has enemies
active, powerful, bitter, uncompromsing enc
mics? Who are these enemies? The past with
its bloody robes the present with its Janus faced,
hypocritIcal moral tendencies inform US. They
preach up Universal liberty, both religious and
cviI-they tell you America presents one of the
most beautiful anomalies on record of what man
may be, if he is permitted This they preach at the
doors of Freedom Do they preach the same doc
trine in Spain or Italy? No! Such preachers
should be watched--they are enemies noa0 much
as they eyer were, to all liberty--the ground OF
offence and defence are changed, but the object is
identicaly the same. The pen of future time will
IL, IL, Al b,,t
succeed in their ends as the past has branded
them hypocrites and traitors to the onward and
progressive march of intellectual improvement.
There are those who profess liberation, and at
the same time they would subvert religious liber-
ty, if it possible to erect over its grave sort
of ancient polytheism. Let us beware of such
reasoners. Millions there are who seem grateful,
and who have espoused the liberal faith--they
profess to be actuated by love for it-claim to
be walking in its highland admire it for its pu-
rlty, It's beautiful systematic arrangement aud sym
metncaI Proportlons--for its equality-its stern
hatred OF despotism, and it's love of free ntellec-
tuai liberty Are they pure minded men Are
they just men? Are they right? If they are
not then what gross delusion has sized upon
our minds, and not only led captive our under
standing but also all the great and glorious intel
lects which have gone before US! The onward
march of this lberalizng feeling, has caused kings
to shudder and thrones to tremble--it has rooted
out every limb of tyranny, and in its path spread
the richest and choicest fruits for man-knowledge
Indeed, if these principles are false, what foo
the Apostles were What criminals, to leave u
the bright example of their lives and priceless
store of political wisdom What dolts, what asse
we, to even endeavor to humbly tread in thei
footsteps If they are based in error-the count
less lives sacrifced-the seas of blood which have
been shed in their defence--the vast amount o
evil endured and all the painful, toilsome labor
and self-denials practised to advance and upholt
them in their purity, are but steupendous, awfu
monuments of human folly and human guilt
Who is prepared to pass this bitter verdict OF
mankind