The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1853-06-02
For the National Era.
FANATICISM.
BY q. NJ. STEELE.

1t has been tho opinion in society at large,
that Fanatcism is always radical in its nature
that it is ultraism in progression Now, sub
init the assertion, and challenge successful con-
tradlctiOn, that there is conservative Fanati-
cism quite as abnormal in its nature, as I'M
healthy in its operation, and as destructive in
its results, as the other. The two start from
nearly the same point and move in opposite
directions; but they meet again in the chaos
and utter destructivcncss of their consequences
Conservatism and radicalism in themselves
are not necessarily inconsistent with each
other. The former aims at tho preservation of
whatever il good in the frame work and prac-
teal machinery of society the latter proposes
to root up whatever is wrong, corrupt, and in
fictitious. So far they completely harmonize,
and may go hand in hand in promoting the
interests Of our race. But sometimes they seem
to grow jealous of each others influence, and
then quarrel arises. One is too fast, or the
other too slow. Each has exaggerated notions
of its own value. Visionary schemes arise, and
partisan zeal unites with the fanced convic-
ton OF right; frenzy inspires the devotees of
each; then are they equally ultra, extrava-
CANT fanaticsl. A simple illustration will show
this more clearly. Take man with dis
eased limb already struck with modification
| he will not allow amputation because unwil-
ling to part with this important member. An
| other has slight flesh wound on his arm, and
insists on having his arm cut of. Which is
| the most a madmans The former is an ultra
conservative; the latter q red-hot radical The
one rushes into certain death for the sake of
saving the whole body; the other is made a
cripple for life from an Insignificant cause
The farmer, who suffered the sheep affected
with fatal and contagious disorder to re-
main till the whole flock was poisoned and
lost, was no less n fool than he who, at the first
appearance Of the infection, slaughtered the
whole flock TO save their lives
The Fanaticism of conservatism is a gro
tesque, parodoScal combination of perverse sto-
lidity, malignity, and zeal Radical Fanatcism
is composed of the same malignity an absurd
faith and a misguided fervor The one takes
it for granted that the world was made lust
right at first, and that it is still very good with
all it contains IL would have nothing removed,
nothing changed nothing disturbed. Attack
any existing institution, and the ultra conserv.
alive at once makes deity of it--no matter
1t 1t be as black as sin, rs hideous as hell as
destructive as ten thousand iuries An image
is set up, and a cry like that in the wilderness
is heard-"These are thy gods, o Israel
which brought thee up out of the land of
Egypt and they fall down and worship the
image be it beast or devil Such conseryators
Of the old rotten institutions of dead ages would
produce putrid disease in the body polite,
and put an end to human society in a single
century.
| Ultra rGdicdlism, on the other hand con.
cludes that pretty much everything is wrong
it would forthwith demolish the structure tear
up the foundations, sweep away the whole uni.
verse, and construct a new one on more scien.
tito principles. The one is closely allied with
superstition, and worships only material objects
which may be seen, heard and handled. Start.
ing from this position, it pursues it's way
through various grades of idolatry and ends in
Atheism-retusing allegiance to anything
above the creed Of its sect the platform of ia
party, or its own organic law. The other be.
gins with pious reliance on divine revelation
soon adds thereto its own vaccinations, and
concludes with Deism--beieving 10 DO sure
that there are great many good things in
that antique book, the Bible, but nothing "a
be compared with the revelations of these
modern days!
There are multitudes who are affected with
both these types Of Fanaticism. There is lit
tie choice with reference TO them, except that
! which should bs the choice OF Q wise man, "a