The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-01-15
WASHINGTON, ID. c.
For tho National Era.
The THREE REF0RMERs.
BY ELIZA sPROAr.

ronulous with a rank yet stunned grown VI
black weeds that sprswlsd and oyer-rode ana
;ostled each other as if they had been nation
of politicians So, day by day, and genera1on
after generation, they pierced the slime sneo
their poison and ran TO seed, tail Al noo,er
vegetation shrank 10 their standard ana she
whole island lay blistering in the heat NAKED
as lidess eyeball in the SUM-
Just ut this time three patriots arose and
called meeting; and here it may be objected
that the component parts Of this committee
being neither more nor less than Flame, a
Stone, and an ACORN were not calculated to
produce that perfect harmony 80 eminently OBJ
servable in the councils Of human patriots
This objection, however, loses it's force when
we learn that the meeting was conducted
throughout with the strictest reference to Con-
grsssiOnal precedept--StOne in the chair, Flame
on the floor, Acorn taking his turn as auditor.
Hiss hiss roar splutter. whiz, crash! General
FI9- - - % aA1ress tnekneepng:
Mr. Speaker and islander. 81 M
gar la nc22;,s. I'D. rec lorg, airsc3y,
have we lain waiiowing in cur NATIONAL siis,
turning over in our sleep, and whining peace
turning back again, and mumbling patience
Long enough, and too long, have we seen this
fair, broad island, from which miles of forest
trees might swing their perfumed branches to
heaven, swarming with pigmy population,
turning all the earth's richness to rankness,
and the sweet air TO poison--changing the very
overwealth of life into soisomc death
"As for peace have we not tried it Have
not wandered meekly for years in the midst of
their follies--seen them poison themselves by
millions by drinking intoxicating gases, and
contented myself with telling them distinctly
that thought them fools? Beheld the stronger
species enslave and override that darker weed
that runs near the ground, yet bridled my
wrath, and merely informed them that | con-
sidered them knaves? have preached to
them, and they have not listened; | have told
them of their denominations by the hour, and
they have driven me from their midst with in
gratitude and dersion. Patience is a weak
ness, peace is a crime with 80 mean and vile
nation. No; we will away forever with these
delusions-we will come down upon them in a
whirlwind of fre-Justicel Liberty Ven
geance! They shall die"
Trump, thump, thump, fop!
"The Rev. Mr. Stone has tho floorD
Mr.. Speaker, ! rise to express my extreme
estimable fellow-islander The sentiment is
missed, know the honorable islander will OK
cuse my remarking that the statements are
generally incorrect and the arguments falla-
cious. In the first place. far from wallowing
as our friend POLITICALLY Expresses it it has al
ways been my pride and plc~Sarc 70 hold i'm
my heart Of hearts, a secret adherence of sin.
IL owing to circumstances, and the natural SEN
sitiveness of delicate mind | have hitherto
refrained from expressing sentiments that might
not be appreciated, am ] the less a patriot
Reason answers, No Humanity answers, No!
Christianity, which forbids the casting of pearls
before swine, benignantly answers Mo-
What! have we no faith! Can the petty
errors of few generations shake our trust in the
eternal principles of truth and justice Oh,
my beloved friends, how often, when my tender
bosom has bled for the sufferings of this gen.
Grafton, have heroically withdrawn my eyes
from the scene of trial, to fix them, with
sublime and pious faith, upon unerring Provi-
dence
Moreover, if | may be allowed to speak
personally, must say that the conduct of these
islanders to myself has ever been marked with
kindness and federation: for many peaceful
years have lain in their dominion, unmolest-
ing and undisturbed. What would be the
consequence, to me, of openly svowing our sen
timents? should be overwhelmed with per-
secuton and contempt. Oh, my friends, let US
be virtuous! Let us remember that others
have rights, which must not be infringed; and
oh, let us ever take to our hearts that sacred
injunction, which advises us to wink at the
beam in our brothers eye, and so hide the
mote in our own.
And here let me impress upon my appreci
ating audience the one great reason why 80
many misguided patriots have failed in their
attempts to reform the world: because they
missed the time DO we need recourse to rea-
son to support this assertion! Certainly not
for has not the Sacred Standard itself declared
that sin exterminated too so0n only leads
the way to host Of others different, but per-
haps more terrible? For when the house is
swept and garnished the devil returneth, with
seven others more wicked than himself.
Beloved friends, allow me to close with this
remark. assured that it expresses the sent.
ments Of all. We hate all kinds Of sim and
abhor all kinds of slavery We wish, from the
depths of our bleeding souls, that it were expc-
dent to assist the oppressed and denounce the
oppressor; butt is not yet time.v
Trip, trip, rustic, patter
Mr.. Acorn has the fioorn
Mr. Apeaker: take the liberty TO disagree
with both the foregoing theories. This. as our
irleod remarks as fair and favored island
worthy to be covered with a race of tres,s that
should ann TO pierce the clouds, and swing their
miles OF perfumed branches in one gigantic
censor to God. The principle of Life is here in
aoundance--all that is necessary TO produce
tue highest order Of vegetation Now. il il a
weh-known fact in our island chemistry. that
TINS principle must develop itself continually.
e''her Tor good or evil; must assert its majesty
III IN, giant forests or run riot in pigmy weeds.
"ha' is the state Of things at present! Year
al'er year finds this proud race spreading
m'der ana wider ITS influence and luxuriance,
SINKING lower and lower from the true standard
VI ,ege.auon' How shall we remedy such an
eVn' IL our friend, General Flame, rebuke
t ta harshiy, they will rise in indignation.
no" ca" they Know they are weeds, when they
have never seen treei If he attempt 10 NM
ish them, his fiery presence will either call
tsorth from the slime all its foul yapors and
noin the wounded weeds all their latent poison-
-" Juices and then leave them, half conauered
-, grow again amid their rottenness; or he
VII extermnate all and lay bare the island
,h 70 md the whole earth quickening with
'"e seeds OF a new generation
would not, however, be understood TO
o5rs;, with the Rev. Mr.. Stone; for, while /
was 'na' The devil re-entered the house that
il wa. p. and garnshed, | would suggest that
il was ," S. because it was swept but because
with 30. empty. Unless we tenant the house
JnIsss a"gei Is useless to expel the devil
IN We. VIC plant the seeds of Truth, il is folly
hr;- "i'n The weeds Of Falsehood. And this
ros-I ma 70 the plan would propose for the
ns,.: OF our beloved islsnd. We are
we wish TO reform our country. You
rvs,s s sacn doubt not your IDEAL Of perfect
' ys'em OF social vegetation for myself I have
We, er seen one perfect tree much Ie~ forest |
81 Of ~ we core Of my heart feel an essence
s'a'nesS divine burning IL might 70