The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-04-06
Fo, the Southern Press.
Relics Of Scraps and Musings.

NEW SYSTEM OF LEGISLATIVE LOG &c.

ne term logic, In the Greek Tongue, slgnines
reason, or speech, and is the art which teaches
the right use of reason In accordance with
the operations of the human mind it has been
divided into apprehension, judgment, and dis
course; that is to say, we first conceive a sub
Ject, then Judge of it, and afterwards deliver
opinions in the form of propositions, supported
by arguments, either categOrematic or syncatc-
gorematic. These are followed in the old so
gle" of logic, by vast deal of nonsense about
predicables, predicaments, division, definition,
contraries, subcontraries, contradictions, syllo-
gisms, sophisms, major minor, medium, method,
modes, figures, &c, &c, which render the sys-
tenn 80 difficult to comprehe end, and especially to
practice, that in ancient times great orators were
as scarce AS they are plenty in this age Of pro-
gress.
The art has, however, lately been greatly
simpliied, and the old system of logic, which is
principally derived from Aristotle, in great
measure discarded. 1t is now compressed into
three kinds of argument, to wit: the argument
tum ad hominum, the argumentum ad Bacu-
linum, and the argumentum ad fisticum. These
are called "knock down arguments" and have
always been considered the most convincing, if
properly applied.
The old system has also been found greatly
defective in taking no notice of whatever Of
certain figure of speech, which has lately been
introduced into Congressional eloquence, that
supercedes all argument, by laying down a self
evident proposition, and thus at once siencing
an opponent. The first division of this " pre-
dicament"-as that class of arguments which
are logically arranged is called-consists in CIV
ing your adversary the lie direct. If well skilled
in this new system, he retorts by knocking you
down, which amounts to a demonstration, and
puts all end to the argument. 1t is not only n
logical but mathematical demonstration; for,
when man measures his length on the floor,
the case is perfectly clear. He is what logicians
call perfectly hoored"
In legislative bodies, where members are only
allowed five minutes to talk about themselves
and define their position, much valuable time is
saved by knock-down argument well timed
and we'll applied 1t is better than all Arsto-
ties dialectics In female logic, categorical ar
gunents are held most efficient, being always at
the finger ends, and constituting what Shakes
peare calls "the ten commandments of women"
Formerly the sylogsms was in great repute as
condensing arguments in the smallest possible
compass; but the lie direct, and the knock. down
argument, is greatly to be preferred, as it puts
l,{, Ill L IA.
the valuable time of the members, leaving them
full leisure to define their positions and discuss
the merits of"old foges" and "young giants
, of the West" | am, therefore, of opinion, that
the inventor of this new system of logic-who
ever he may be-shoud forthwith have his sta
tue of bronze-or brass, which would be still
. more appropriate-paced in some conspicuous
place in both Houses, as an example to the rising
generation of "Young America He should
!, be represented in the attitude of the renowned
Crib, with his fist doubled ready for the knock
, down argument, and scroll coming out of his
mouth, bearing the legend ''You lie," in large
letters This would serve, among other good
purposes, to keep up belligerent spirit, and
) prepare "Young America" for the fulflment of
her mission of universal philanthropy.
PRoDIGoUs!"
"NovEL AND STARTLING PRoposAL.-A me-
tropolitan correspondent of the Albion describes
a somewhat Quixotic scheme, which, he SAYS, is
i being concocted by the ministry; no less, in
fact, than the enclosure of the Irish sea, by
5 breakwaters thrown across from Anglesea to
r the Wicklow mountains and,from Donaghadee
4 to Portpatrick. Thus, it is argued, Dublin, Bel
fast, Liverpool, Whitehaven, and other exposed
s towns, will be placed beyond the reach of any
hostile fleet, while, by the shutting out of the
{ tidal waters, many thousands of acres of land
formerly, no doubt cornfcds, will be reclaimed,
sufficient to yield the fifteen per cent. of corn
s now imported from foreign countries. The
whole estuary of the Dee, large tracts of land
on the Soway, the entirety of Morecombe Bay,
across which the railway will be forthwith com.
pleled so as to bring the mineral districts of
Cumberland into immediate contact with the
coal fields of Lancashire
3 Was ever so many birds killed with one stone
The scheme is no doubt practicable, and will
prove equally eilectual in protecting England
, from one of Louis Napo1eon's coup Tetats. But
John Bull should recollect that two can play at
this game. Suppose Louis Napoleon should
take the hint and serve the British channel in
! the same way, thus converting it into dry land ?
C What would become of Squire Bull then But
seriously, these apprehensions Of England dis
: close an innate consciousness of weakness which
will go great way to open the eyes of the world
; TO her real condition. With twenty -seven mil.
: lions ofpeople she ought to be afraid of nothing
But the misfortune is, she cannot trust these
. twenty-seven millions with arms to defend their
e country; and if she could, they have been so
long unaccustomed to their use, they would not
: know how to handle them. To arm Ireland
o would be to lose Ireland and is fatal symp.
e tom when governments cannot depend on the
people in the State is in danger. 1t is the
hand writing on the WALL and it is time to