The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-02-09
Modern 'isIns.

The tendency of what is called state high
civilization is to disintegrate or subdvide the
entire created structure of man, physical intel
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 of
employment which results from what zoe regard
a vicious and distempered civilization, gives
exercise only to one or to few of these mem
bers. In factories, one person works with few
fingers at tying the threads of cotton another
in polishing the blade of a knife, another in copy
ing with graver the form of pattern. Prac-
tcally, 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-
vided, One man becomes not merely ply.
alcan, but an anatomist, or dentist--another,
not satisfied with combining hims elf to the law,
dwindles down to conveyancer, and some be
come painters of flowers, and performers on q
single instrument of music, for n subsistence
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 system of
human duty is asserted, and all its parts are rec
ognized. But as the system Of disiniegration
or disunion 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 whilst
Others are sacrificed,
OF late years, temperance, as it is called, or
abstinence from alcoholic and even iermented
liquids, has become fashionable virtue so.
cieties have been formed, pledges made, and
prescription proclaimed against all use, however
moderate, of beverages which, in excess, will
intoxicate. Those engaged in this movement as
sumo the character of moral reformcrs, although
they admit into such associations the votares Of
every other vice. gluttons, fops msers, adulter
ers and swindlers But this might be excused,
provided they confined themselves TO the expe-
dents of moral suasion and voluntary selfre
straint. The tendency, however, has occasion
ally been developed, of design to enforce, by
political power and by legislation, conformity
10 this solitary fragment of u moral code. In
the State of Maine, the sale of intoxicating
liquors has been positively prohibited, under the
penalty Of confscation, and in New York, Ohio
and other States, comprehensive movement is
going on for the same purpose. A law like this
is II snmptuary law. If it can be justified, why
not prescribe by law the costume Of the people
coarseness and simplicity, vast amount o
money would be saved extravaganza would b.
prevented, and poverty, and want, and fraud
and crime, averted. Why not restrict the size
and cost, and furniture of dwellings, Why no
regulate diet, and restore the black porridge o.
Sparta.
Now sumptuary regulations are enforced on
the slaves of plantation, and liquor prohibited
very properly-on the ground that they are
morally inferior and unfit to govern themselves
Bnt for a. mere numerical majority in State to
impose such restraints on minority Of political
or social equals is to inforce one of the essential
conditions Of slavery. Such is the progress OF
the North. Such is the modern transcendentaI
idea of liberty and equality
As for success in any such attempt, it is essen.
TALLY impossible Compulsory morality is a
contradiction in terms And the result will only
be a reaction which will run into the opposite
extreme. The movement however, is deeply
significant 1t proceeds on the assumption OF
great moral decline in the habits of the PEG.
pie, and the necessity of reform and it betrays
the incapacty of the people to perceive, or their
inaptitude to apply the efiGctual remedy