Georgetown weekly news., 1854-12-07
Mental Indenendence.

10 those naturally inclined to mpatience
and dependency, this sentiment is most en-
couraglng. Ii poor, despised worm can
create so momentous change, what ought
not man. the most noble of Deitys greatest
works-to accomplish without a murmur or
a despondent thought
Too often, alas, mortals are but living
dead men, moving without life, and living
to all purposes in the arms of death. How
few there are who really live; live the true,
mental life, their own leaders, thinkers act
orS. Nor is this inaction of soul confined
to any class, or sect, or profession of men,
as such, but through all the ramiications of
society we find its victims.
In the family group are those who lead
the remainder of the household in all the
avocations. In the country villages we see
Esq. A. or DR.. B. whose words 90 very far
towards setting up an aristocracy of public
opinion. Such men, whenever found are
apt in time to become overbearing in their
habits, and act out their feelings of superb
orlty so as to make themselves odious in
the sight of those who are really true men.
In the Church. and even in what ought to
be the sacred desk, men are found who new
er had dozen thoughts in all their life, but
follow in the path marked out by the foun-
ders of their respective sects, without exer-
cising any considerable amount of indepen-
dent thought, from the beginning to the
close of their earthly labors They teach
the same doctrine of servile obedience to
thousands of thoughtless listeners, who be-
lieve as the priest commands. with seal
upon their Judgment and standing veto
upon the reason God gave-a talent to be
improved. This is slavery and makes true
the words:
where laws are kings and men called free,
| Still predestined slave is he,
In one eternal cODweb bound
And fenced with statutes round and round,
That thralls his actions, curbs his will,
And makes them but bondman still;
An instrument in others hands,
| To come and go at their commands;
| To do but what to do he's made,
| traitor by himself betrayed;
! He creeps along from morn till night,
| And never cares to walk upright"
In the world of politics, too, "the blind
lead the blind" The name of Jefferson or
Jackson, of Adams or Clay, is forced into
almost every political platform Of the pres
ent day-with as much confidence as though
it was an axiom in politics that there could
be no such thing as progress. Jefferson
lived and acted the part of an independent
man, amid circumstances far different from
those that surround the Independent states
men of the last half of the nieneteenth CEN
tury.
PROGRESS is the banner of civilization,
and the day-star of nations, and he wlo
would transmit his name to posterity in the
catalogue with Jefferson, Adams and Jack
son, must do for his day what those immor-
tails did for theirs.
They based no honor upon the fame of
their fathers, but nobly did the work their
country and age assigned. So if we, or any
of u.s. would aspire to a fame like theirs. we
must not allow ourselves to suppose it can
be done by re-doing their work. Such a
course is but libel on humanity, bur
lesque On the age in which we live.
| The Statesman of to-day must stand upon
the issues Of to-day, if he hopes to benefit
posterity by his public deeds. Virtue must
be his guiding star, and his repose only up
on the immutable pillar of Justice, Equality.
Fraternity. The Jefferson of 1884 must
surpass the Jefferson of the Revolution, if
he hopes to stand equal with that distin-
guished American, in the ages that are to
follow.
Principle must teach uncompromising in
dependence. Compromises should never be
made with error or any principle of wrong;
and yet, sacred compacts ought not to be
broken, nor radical changes made in well
established forms of government, unless de-
manded by those who are to be affected by
the change.
All history demonstrates that in Repub-
lican Governments it is dangerous for the
agents or representatives Of the people to
pronounce finally upon any question of ma
tional interest, without first listening to the
instructions Of those whose wishes they are
supposed to represent. If, then, represen-
tative cannot execute the wish of his con-
stltuents. and at tie same time act in accor-
| dance with his own convictions of right, it
is clearl Y his duty to surrender his office to
one that they may select, and who will act
in accordance with their wishes, and in har-
mony with his own judgment. Such ought
to be the willing course Of every American
representative; and when the Office is made
to ask the individual, instead of the individ-
ual the office, such will become the necessa-
ry practice
REPUDIATING THE PREss.-The Roman
Catholic Council in New York, has come
TO the conclusion fho+ 4bo oOnnao+;or l,a