The daily union., 1854-11-10
From the London Noncon!oI mist.
C0MPIfISOR NOR Atty

irttered il unwisely away.
From London Nonconio,nist
COMPULSORY MORALITY.
We regard with alarm the strong tendency of this
age practical dsust of the superior efficacy of moral
influence America has introduced into the field of phi
anthropy elements which inspired wisdom has character
lied beggary" and is insensiby dragging back
notions of virtue that only describe essentially bar
barous To do things by force break down individual
independence whether of judgment of choice frown
into selidenal to CUSTOM opinion law, in fact
felt be stronger and direct than conviction and per-
suasion in determining moral eonduc to jam the reluc-
tant between noisy public sentiment the hand,
and statutory prohibition the other; drive them
thus guarded, in the line of temperance and discretion is
fashionable the other side of the Atlantic than we
hope it will prove here 1t is iazy way of seeking
human progress 1t is the substitution mechanism for
SOUL command for invitation law for Gospel 1t is fit only
for society in its rude and boisterous childhood Necessity
may sometimes compel the adoption Of but nothing but
ignorance impatence, misrust will think of returning
to il after the discovery of "more excellent way
We fear the abeors of this compulsory method of
king nations vrmous have fairly studied the philos
ophy of their principles and that they little dis
posed consult the laws of their What pro-
grsss is made in the way of social reformation
when every step of it brought about by successful
peals the understanding and the will Wno docs o,
know that what seemingly gained by rude agencies is
gained only for the time that the agencies operate and is
invariably followed by aneutabe reaction? Is it not with
nations as with individuals? Where restraint is most
constantly resorted to as to deter from vice will
not human passion revenge itself by creeping into other
channels bursting all barriers by nundating regions
through which it would otherwise have gently flowed
The descendants Of the Pilgrim and Puritan fathers an
pear to us to have read the story their ancestors to little
purpose they have missed the connexon between the aa
spirit OF Puransm and the lceaous age which followed
i-beween the solderly piety of Cromwes time and the
cavalier progacy of succeeding reigns You cannot dyH
the heart by word of command extinguish vicious
propenses by statutory enacten and every step to do
will produce at less greater interval of time Ter
rble revulsion
Nor do we believe that individual abstinence from evil
If brought about by social compuson is all things con-
sdered in reality good We have no wish to see the world
filled with merely negative virtue, or to tame human
passions by cagng them in law We loot for higher re-
suits than these resus keeping with the dig
nifty and majesty of All faculties we observe
mental and moral cast in shape require freedom
Of choice and agency the very basis of moral improve
men and enjoyment and everything within US revolts
against and resents the idea Of virtue by coercion The
whole scheme Of Providence agrees with this impress upon
our faculties.
We surrounded by influences which we may abuse to
our own ana nelghbos injury, Temptations abound
every hand Means for perncous and even fatal in
dulgences given in plenty These things with
held because it is oreseen that they will turned to bad
account We have compulsory teetotalism here Why
Because life is discipline final estate and because
is better and far conducive ultimate progress
TO independent and robust virtue the expense of
very much that Is TO be deplored than secure trim
morality, with which the mind has nothing whatever to
do. And natural constitution agrees with proyi-
Dental law in demanding that in all things primarily af
fecng individual destiny, should be dealt with hav
ing the right Of free choice, So may add Christianity
recognises this right and evidently makes
of the good which is gained by compulsory influence
Society has yet to learn and will learn, we fear at no
little cost that many results desirable in themselves
when attained rendered comparatively worthless by
the process employed to bring them about; and that hu
nature, dealt with Dutch hortculturss deal with
their shrubs may be clipped in every fantastic form with
out improving it. The immense amount of individual
anxiety selidenal enterprise action which the
pendious method of working by lar win supersade is of
far Importance permanent progress than the arti-
fetal order which law may establish. Philanthropy aim
ing its high ends by in harmony with its
spirit generates conservative element which, point
of strength immeasurably surpasses all that egsa-
ton can effect 1t is the the earth and were
unhappy displaced by the sringen. action Of civil
government would leave the world shorn of Of its
glorious redeeming features
Let but the scheme of modern sentimental take effect
let cleanliness sobrey, and Sabbathday observance be
handed compulsory instead of voluntary effort and
all the virtue which is involved and exercised and
maured in seeking the accomplishment of these ends will
remain dormant. Society will lose manly, robust
morality will be succeeded by pulling sentimenalism :;
u,ariansm, cold calculating and sordd, viii first
enervate and ultimately parayze the action of conscience
and decent outside will depraved and rotten
heart Against this tendency Of the age determined
to wage warfare deliberately preerrng the
nuance Of ghtiu blocbes any kin-deep of them
which involves the destruction of the individuality Of vr
tue
The wAR.-The following appalling picture
given of the suerngs OF the soldiers who wounded
the battle OF the Alma and who taken board the
ship Coumbo
This vessel left the Crmea the morning OF the gath
Wounded placed board for two DAYS before
she sailed and when sbe weighed anchor she carried the
following numbers: u wounded officers 422 wounded
soldiers and l04 Russian prisoners-in all $50 souls
About half the wounded had received surgical assistance
before they put board To supply the wants of
this mass Of misery four medical Of whom
was the surgeon of the ship--suifcenty employed in
looking after the crew. who this place and
seldom free from sickness The ship literally covered
with PROSTATE forms to be almost pnmanageable
The officers could get below to find their sextan aud
the made at hazard The vessel was twelve
hours longer through this mischance The worst cases
placed on the upper deck which in day two be-
came mass Of putridity.r
The JuLLHS rRouPE.-Th large and very talented com
pany opened to very full and fashionable audience t Odd
Fellows Hall Wednesday evening The performances Of
this troupe besides rejecting credit their talent musi
clans and voca are of the most pleasing and anghabe
character, and their limitations Of the great julien band
highly unique and ELECTED the applause Tonight
they give programme and as their last appear
ance but one in this city expect the hall crowded
Ladies should po early