The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-09-24
Joseph smith and william H Seward- rhe
Higher Law Ana the Mormon Law.

principle in philosophy, Franklin would assur-
edly have supplied that necessity and ornament
of modern science 1t may be questioned whe-
ther, had Joe Smith failed to discover the Nor
mon bible and to establish the theocracy of the
Mormon church William Fl. Seward would not
surely have supplied that plank in the socialist
platform of the day. There were certainly
striking similarities in the minds of Bacon and
Franklin and few men will deny that there is
a world of likeness between the pioneer genius
of modern Seerdom and the author of the Higher
Law Joseph had wonderful powers of concen-
tration, an entire unity of purpose, and bound
less industry and perseverance he devoted his
life to the cause of Humanity, and by admirable
frmness, resolution and good fortune secured
the distinction of martyr and the character Of
true prophet.
The career Of Mr. Seward, though widely diff
terent, is not essentially dissimar either in its
fruits CT the weapons employed, saving. Of
course, the distinctive martyrdom of the former,
which constitutes the seed of his church and
the living principle of its organization
The two reformers have been equally distinguish
ed for oneness Of purpose in enforcing their res
pective discoveries upon an unwilling and
unseeing public What they both claim is the
Higher Law under different names. Joseph
ton, ofwhich he was the chief-an organization
acting with entire unity and confined within
the sphere OF its own devotees and professors.
His Higher Law is operative, and is sustained
by competent legislative and ministerial power,
by which it may be altered or modified in sub
stance and in the manner Of its execution.
There is one feature in which the two systems,
identical in real character bear a marked and
almost exact external resemblance: they are
both avowedly based on the principles of HUI
manity. contradistinguished from all other
ethical, theological and political rule. Surely,
then, with so large q sediment Of philanthropy
in the Prophet Joseph, failing to promulgate
the Book Of Mormon, he would have proclaimed
the Higher Law; and it i. due to Mr.. Seward as
reformer to say that the world stood at least
wo chances of having the benefit of the Salt
Lake religion and morals.
We have been led to these suggestions from
a perusal of Mr. Stewards address delivered at
the dedication of Capital University, at Column
bus, on the 14th instant. This address. has been
extensively published, and, by those whose
business it is to take special of the orators
reputation, pronounced An enunciation of the
Rights Of Man without exception, of the Higher
Law Of Justice and Humanity" and scathing'
exposure of past civilization and hopeful
view of American Progress
There are, doubtless, querulous persons to
be found who may regard this designation as
slightly ad eaptandum in a very
trifling way on the pronunciamento tactics Of
our grandiloquent Mexican neighbors We
have no such conclusions to adopt. The adj
dress is certainly formidable enough; and it is
manifest from it that should Mr.. Seward turn
his attention to writing there would be neces-
sity of charging the natural boundaries" of
our precious language, if not the patience Of
the reader. 1t was delivered before the cor
porators Of literary institution-an institution
chartered by the State of Ohio. and wholly de-
pendent upon the laws Of that State for its protec
ton and the power to enforce it's franchises. 1t
may, therefore, appear little singular-at
least it might have appeared so few years
ago-that the first lesson it receives is an ella
borate ard authoritative exposition and defence
of the Higher Law. Hence the occasion is
thought by some of Mr.. Stewards enemies not
to have been an appropriate one for such dis
play. Against this conclusion, however, we
beg to enter our protest. There is no time or
place in which the great cause Of Humanity"
may not be sustained; and we question exceed
ingly if there is any respectable portion of the
people of the State of Ohio to whom such
puerile far-fetched, sophomorical speech, on
the Higher Law, with its false conclusions.
garbled quotations, and mock philosophy
may not, without the least harm, at any time
be delivered. Mr. Seward evidently embraced
the occasion to show the world that he has
learning enough to misquote, and philosophy
enough to throw into the deepest obscurity the
whole family of Greeleys, Weeds and Garrisons.
The time was suspicious and exceedingly press
ing. The recent movements among the phian-
thropists and philosopheresses and their bold
speeches, with tincture Of practical higher
Law exercises by the Rev. Miss Antoinette l.
Brown at the Worlds Temperance Convention
to say nothing of the practical success of Brig
ham Young in the same line at Salt Lake, in
vited Mr.. Seward to make another bid-to open
the seals Of another dispensation as his brother
Mormon reformer would have announced aud
this, in our Judgment, wholly justified him in
prostituting the occasion Of the dedication Of
Capital University to such work.
1.-THE Higher Law amounts to anything surely
it hos virtue enough 10 it to override the petty
courteses and proprieties which we mere Out
side barbsrians would suppose to belong TO on
occasion of the kind Capital University, Ia
any contingency, was destined to be fogy in it,
character. Likely enough there was not man
amongst its corporators who will not uphold
lie exploded rules of college discipline. in
direct contTavention Of the Higher Law and 10
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