Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1855-07-27
Politics of To-Day.

sound than sense, more zeal than knowledge |
The pious often shun il for more promising
sphere of usefulness the scholar regards it
as below the dignity of his high profession
and thus it is len to demagogues who have
more policy than principle, more words than
works. Such sentiment is fundamentally
wong, Al this noise aud parade winch is
objectionable, is simply incidental-straws
which indicate the direction of the wind, and
not the wind itself; and even now, Oh Man
Of Mind, while you arc looking indiflcrently
on, in this very struggle principles are at
work, all silent and unseen around you, which
shall embody in outward form the very good
YOU are seeking for, or strike at the root Of
your most cherished right
This s nm age when thoughts and prime i
pies make the law, and not kings nor com
: mons. The power of public opinion, whose
lever is the press, can never be Oycr-estimat-
cd Its influence is upon immateral and
not material things, working upon the in
ner aud not the external man. Yet the liv-
ing institutions which surround you, which
give you the rights Of citizenship and the
freedom Of speech, and which elevates the
individual TO the highest dignity Of manhood,
p are but the realization Of printed thoughts.
In philosophers cell, ages ago, came forth
the great idea. IL shone like a star above
the darkness OF despotsm aud brutal force.
II was followed by small but constantly in
creaslng number with untrelng energy, ull
: at last, 1t was wrought out in substantial
forms. Thus the paradox Of the last age il
the truism OF this. The Thoughts Of yestef-
- day are the implements of to-day The i'm
e material spirit which lurkcd in the written
line two thousand year, ago, now surrounds
| you to enrich aud ennoble as a material
Y bloae,vg The idea Of Columbus hns giv~v
us new world the idoa OF Scion, a wise
2 law the idea Of Luther, a pure church.
y The idea of Watts has changed the relations
G Of commerce the idea OF Franklin has given
?, new life to every department of human az
y fairs; and now is being conceived the
Il thought. or being formed the public senti-
J. mcnt, which shall make glorious or ignoble
j. the tuture.-And although you stand in the
I. iull blaze of intelligence, ye; most carefully
should you watch the pulse of public opinion,
o lest through thousand arteries circulate
+ the seeds of disease,-lcst on the soil Of
J. Freedom be sown the Dragons teeth which
l. shall spung up armed men!
', Might once made right That was an
IS outward watidre which every one could see.
l. Nov right makes nights It less plain
ID ~ he mode Of warfare has changed yet
l. should we be less acquainted with It's mode
of speratlon The thinker ever precedes
tho actor. The thought has ever been bat
tied into the substance. Yet the noise Of the
conflict, and the thousand senscless accom-
pauimenis which attended the slow, wavor-
o. ing progress Of humanity, often shut out
u from the superficial observer the real object
l. the high principle which occasions it. Three
4 hundred years ago all Europe resoundcd with
u the conflict of an idea put forth by Luther
Beneath the smoke the nations were running
10 20 and FRO with increase of knowledge; vet
IT. few could see the points OF compass. Now,
re stands out the great truth, bright aud secure
I, as the noon-day sun. To-day 1t Is all com
'h motion about an idea concerning the divine
right OF kings penned by poor aud despisct
student. 10 an hundred years, 1t shall stand
the conceded truisus OF a world; while ~ the
- conflict many will despair, many think II q
~ war Of words and turn away.
ID With The subject thus presented is there
w. any doubt concerning the importance OF the
politics OF to-day? 1t IS the medium bS
e which political wisdom is embodied IN actual
Institutions As these institutions favor 30
n one place or class, SO public sentiment Ia,
= no one head but the whole people. Eacl
l. State each County, each Town, has It's voice
IL II man neglects to act to day, he may re-
d through the very opinions formed by his ln-
- activity. Soyenty-hyc years ago all was
d. thick darkness through the Thirteen States
ID There was doubt, aud fear, and despair. -
Yet above the cloud, fair aud beautiful IN 1t;
o. proportions, lowered the ideal Republic
ie To-day It's realized grandeur lifts It's battle
y, mcuts TO Heaven, the Proudest work Of hu
"a man genus. Llstless man It's future is u
~ your Keeping. 1t Is Tor you to keep beyond
III the Rubicon the ambitious Cmsar--to de-
o' stroy the cnerya,ing banquets of a Belshaz
u zar, lest meme, meme, iskei, UphUsiH be wnt
III ten on It's walls
'e The smoke Of the Revolution has died a
u way, and IN the march of progress another
H. question comes before the American people
oil Really, there Is but one. We are surround
T. ed by the hustle and excitement OF conflict
yet, above all the idea OF lluman Right az
u opposed to Slavery, stands like pillar o.
ire. The voice OF conference, the dictates %
+ reason, and the instincts OF humanity, IN ih,
~ clear light ol Heaven, all cry out against th'
"a wrong. Yet, blinded by party strife, mel
ga are doubtful. Says one: You have beer
engaged IN the struggle for years aud wha
ne good has been done The South is mad
IL deued and bitterness aud ianallclsm Is tn
&c result Why, sir, when was great GOO
't Was Il in the DAYS OF Luther? of Cromwell
of Wilberiorce Before the morning hgh
" does there not always come deeper dark
e. ness Did error ever concedc an inch saw
W to the superior power Of Truth Says an
IT, other -" 1t will dissolve the Union z" Ca
90 you not, sir, hold the standard aloit with on
"' hand and strike the death-blow to SLAYER
Extension with the other: The Union Is
10 living truth. If It's friends are true IT mus
stand. Slavery Is the shadow of old Nigh
ID and must be divorced. Why fear the Tesul
IT. Of noble, manly action W hen Paul Tea
"a soncd before Felix of temperance, righteous
D" ness and judgement 10 come, was II Paul, o
n Felix IS lao trenbled? You say 1t is not don
~ in sober, candid way. Very true, 10 manl
at cases. The mass are not Philip S'dneys, bu
= add one in yourself and the cause WIZ D.
OF strengthened Thus reads the political les
nc son for to-day. To nun who Is not lost Il
u marty or preiudi5e on the one hand, nor D
as cyrical or indifferent on the other, the reali
ef cation Of the great idea OF Human Right i
ie The present duty. Who will remain d
er when such interests are at stake Y? The &C
!, cumulative testimony Of two thousand year
- IN behalf of truth appeals to your manhood
= and asks for the expression OF an enlightened
u opinion.
lie is the freeman whom the truth make
~ free. Citizens of Vermont there is mean
d ing and a power in tho rnsnluiions -
- a.,,,vd al the State Convention at burlington
pr What candid thinking man will bring on
&c reason save party and prejudice why he SHOULD
ID not place himself firmly upon that platform
1t is the side of Truth--you feel it; The sid
81 of Right, and hence the Freeman's side
u Caledonia.
es
be Governor Reeder's Message.
VI KANSAS. MONDAY July l6