The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1854-06-17
For the Free Trad +.
The SOcia! and Moral Condition
OF Oar Country.
REFLECTIONS OF \ BACHELOR.


in ancient or modern times. No nation,
whether aristocratic, monarchical or rcpnbli-
can, has ever in so short time attained the
same height of rcnOwn and glory as that to
which ours has arrived. No country pre-
scnts the same facilities for producing ma
tional wealth and security, for procuring
and enhancing private prosperity and for in
creasing domestic happiness, and creating
and enlarging the germs of social and moral
worth. We possess all the elements Of lib-
erty and intelligence, Of industry and econ
omy, Of power and fame, combined, with
native genius and talent. Our nation occu-
pics geographical position, far superior to
that ofany other people. Nature has pre-
sented her eternal barriers on every side, to
check the mcnaccs and power Of hostile ma.
tons. And while from the eastern CONT
ncnt we are constantly receiving the pro-
ducts of scientific researches, and the fruit
Of more congcnal clincs. The once barbar-
, Gus, but now rich and productive isles ofthc
, Atlantic and Pacific, are constantly coutri-
buting, to such Of our private and national
necessities, as we by our own industry, are
unable to supply. South and even British
America are pouring into our midst al the
varied products Of their peculiar cmcs. Ia
fact all, that supremacy wise and bcneyo-
lent being can secure to mankind, either by
the legitimate exercise Of his power, or by
/ the interference Of his generosity and good
/ ness, has been bistowcd upon our country
But | apprchcnd, that Notwithstanding all
these truths, and in violent opposition 10
( all these iortuitous circumstances, there is
circulating in all the rcins of our national
/ existence, the corrupted and corrupting in.
iuenccs aud elements Of social and moral
disease and death Indeed can but think
that every person. who impartially reflects,
aud particularly every intelligent reader OF
ancient or modern history will readily per
ccyc the same identical causes, (silcntly ard
secretly perhaps, yet with startiingprogrcssJ
in operation in our country, which IN for
cign countries aud ia time past have cOuyGi-
scd entire governments, and shook, even to
it, center, the whole social and moral uni
verse. Let me as. what cause produced the
ruin Of the Roman Empire, and history AN
sScrs in scpulchral tones, none other t.an
the jealousy, ambition, and duplicity Of it.
IHJuucs and Dcccmyirates. Look W loy-
crs OF your country, upon your National
Congress- and trcInblc for your com rie,
veal. " hat cause led to the destruction OF the
Nc do Persian Empire that paragon Of an.
Gent power aud glory, none, save the pros
lration Of social and moral integrity, and IT,,
substitution Ofuniversal political fraud ant
deceit Look around you yc Observer, g.
political and moral destiny, fail you to wit
ness the same caukcr, PRAYING upon tie ";
tails Of our social, moral, and political cXis
tcncc. What brought, dcyastation ruin an,
ultimate death, upon the Grccian Republic
with al its simpli ity, integrity, intelligence
and unparalleled military power, naugh
but desire for strife and disscntiOn and
love Of political distinction, popularity al,
power. Look yc, who worship our Lcoyu,
tH'oH' and mourn over sectional prejudice
local hatred, and national diaScnsion whcI
; now break in twain the peace and harmon,
Of our country and again 'trcmblc with f,u
fr future revelations. mi France. wha
has SO often plunged her into revolution ai
be a-shcd.-nothng but the accurscd bore O
! human society social inequality and
: general disbelief in the beauty and force G
moral and divine truth. Look, yc, who's
appropriate province, is to watch upon til
Tower Of Zion, and behold with what VA,
rapidity the seeds Of iptidclity are bcin
scattered in our midst tghing root in gcni;
e soil, and leaving the prolific fruits, of soci.
, and moral destruction and death and bran
, bs for great is your rcSponsi ity.
: In fine, what in our own country has q
a times brought us, even at the verge Of rui
and national dissolution, nothing but an cA
trcmc thirst for popularity, emolumcIt an
IbNNl, Nl'bH Nllt ldl' VI NhbNt W ilNSt >tUN
{ of moral right, has been vitiatcd, by an cs
i tended indulgence in the feelings of scisl
ness, gain, and power If what has alrcad
Z been said, be true in relation to naiicn,
: what inference must we naturally dra'
; thcrcirOm in respect TO societies and comm.
4 mites, certainly none other than this, thi
q inasmuch aS it is the later that enter int
: and constitute the former, and which Great
Il the laws and regulation, the habits and Gu
y toms, mich form the complexion and civ
4 destiny to a nation, there must of ncccssit
e he found in each of these communities, I'll
same distinctive features Of jealousy, dissel
=, ton, hatred and scliishncss which mark Il
!, nation which they constitute. Indeed is
IS not lamcntably, true that when we loo
/. around, even within the circle of our ow
acquaintance, we are compelled, to enter II
;, presence and bithng influence of the san
f causes, that heretofore have led entire M
| ito TO ruin, but which as yet have not bur
from their channels and dcllugcd our land
, blood On our right, we behold the 60 81
n of jealousy erected, pointing the finger
a imbccii,y and contempt, at every effort
the genius or talent, of an opponent, en-,
y, professional man is constantly shooting Il
h darts of dctraction and malignity at the re-
a utation of the other, eTcn the farmer al
/ mechanic with all their noblcness of sou
are tincturcd by the presence of the hyd
d headed scourgc of the human family Jca
h ousy, On ous left we perceive araycd
I solid phalanx, the innumcrahlc evils rcsul
J.. ing, from mutual distrust and revenge, an
y unvarnshcd libel and SANDER. Indeed, ho
seldom, if ever do We find community
5 which the members thereof place that col
u iidcncc in the honor and integrity of cac
. other, that should ever bind man to man wit
# an indisso!uble tic Of respect and esteem, an
h tha, should mark every social and moral r.