The southern press., 1852-04-06
For The Spithern Press,
Relies Of Scraps and Musings.
No Gl
No. 81.
NEW SYSTEM OF LEGIsLArIvE LOG 10.

No. OF.
NEW SYSTEM OF LEGISLATIVE Log 10.
i The term logic, in the Greek tongue, signiie
reason, or speech, and is the art which teaches
the right use of reason. In. accordance will
the operations of the human mind it has beer
divided into apprehension, judgment, and dis
course; that is to say, we first conceive sub
ject, then judge of it, and afterwards deliver oul
opinions in the form Of propositions, supported
by arguments, either categorematc or synca to.
gorematic. These are followed in the old $50.
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 so difficult to comprehend, 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
simplitied, and the old system of logic, which is
principally derived from Aristotle, in great
measure discarded II is now compressed into
three kinds of argument, to wit: the argument
tum ad homnum, 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 a
certain figure Of speech, which has lately been
introduced into Congressional eloquence, that
supercedes all argument, by laying down self
evident proposition, and thus at once silencing
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. Ifwell skilled
in this new system, he retorts by knocking you
| down, which amounts to demonstration, and
puts an end to the argument. 1t is not only a
logical but mathematical demonstration; for,
when man measures his length on the floor,
the case is perfectly clear. He is what logicans
call perfectly foored"
Id Legislative bodies, where members are only
allowed FIVE minutes to talk about themselves,
and define their position, much valuable time is
saved by a Touchdown argument well timed
and well applied. 1t is better than all Aristo-
ties dialectics. In female logic, categorical ar
guments are held most efficient, being always at
the finger ends, and constituting what Shakes
peare calls "the ten commandments of women. y
Formerly the syllogisms was in great repute as
condensng arguments in the smallest possible
compass; but the lie direct and the knock. down
argument, is greatly to be preferred, as it puts
stop to all argument at one blow, and thus saves
the valuable time of the members, leaving them
full leisure to define their positions and discuss
the merits of sold fogies" and ayoung giants
of the West" l am, therefore, of opinion, that
the inventor of this new system of logic-who-
ever he may be-should forthwith have his sta
tue of bronze-or brass, which would be still
more pproprate-placed 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 bis 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.
PRoDTGoUs!"
"NovEL AND STARTLING PRoPosAI- mo.
tropotan correspondent of the Albion describes
a somewhat Quixotic scheme, which, he saws i
being concocted by the ministry; no less. IN
fact, than the enclosure of the Irish sea. bv
breakwaters thrown across from Anplesea 10
the Wicklow mountains, and from Donaghadee
TO Portpatrick. Thus, il is argued, Dublin, Bel.
fast, Liverpool, Whitehaven, and other exposed
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, cornfeds, will be reclaimed
sufficient TO yield the fifteen per cent of corn
now imported from foreign countries. The
whole estuary Of the Dee, large tracts of .and
on the Solway, the entirety of Morecombe Bay
across which the railway will be forthwith com.
pleted, so as 10 bring the mineral districts Of
Cumberland into immediate contact with the
coal fields Of lancashire"
Was ever so many birds killed with one stone,
The scheme is no doubt practicable, and will
prove equally effectual in protecting England
from one ofLouis Napoleon's coup Getals. But
John Bull should recollect that two can play Al
this game. Suppose Louis Napoleon should
take the hint and serve the British channel in
the same way, thus converting It into dry land
What would become Of Squire Bull then But
seriously, these apprehensions of England dis
close an innate consciousness Of weakness which
will 60 great way 10 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 thes,
twenty-seven millions with arms TO defend thei
} country and II she could, they have been sc
long unaccustOmed to their use, they would no
know how 10 handle them. To arm Ireland
would be to lose Ireland and is fatal symp
tom whan 0ovarnmonfa cannot danaod ~ Al.