New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1855-10-01
SEYMOUR ON sELF-CONTROL.

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SEYMOUR on sELF-CONTROL.
Democracy was formerly understood 10 charac-
terizehsttutions created and controlled BY thepuo-
lie will A Swiss cantoual assemblagc-still better.
Anew. England town meetipg-is its cleaIest exem-
plfcation All the male adults Of the township
are convened by legal notice st central point,
under the presidency Of moderator designated by
a msioriiy Of their number, aud proceed TO desig-
nate in like manner the individuals who are TO fill
the offices of Town CLERK. Selectmen, Roadmaster.
&c, for the ensuing year Then some one-say the
"Reminiscences that certain sum be raised
by tax for common schools or some other specified
purpose-whch proposition the blacksmith sec
onds, il he sees fit; if not, some one else does ;
while farmer A proposes to modify by substituting
a larger or smaller sum. and lawyer b or DR.. Z
seconds this, and it is accepted or rejected by a
majority vote and then--if no other amendment
be proposals vote is taken on the main ques-
ton and thence the meeting proceeds to consider
and vote upon propositions 10 build OF repair a
certain bridge. erect a town-house, open new
road, and SO on Such is odiashioned, dictionary
Democracy-where the people are mainly intelli-
gent and yirtuous, the most rational, just and
benefcent form of government ever known.
But the demssogues of the day have Invented
new Democracy totally different from this.
While they zealcusly uphold the ensayement OF
human beiDgs--the absolute subsection Of one
race Of men to the will and appetite of another
they glorify SIS Democracy " the RICH, of Man
TO self government meaning thereby the
rSht ef every man to DO as he pleases so long
IS he does not directly and pslpsby inhict
physical pain on another. Thus Gov. Seymour
in his recent Tammsny harapgue ssys:
The views and instincts Of men lead them 10 adopt
ccufC,iue opinions with reg ard 20 the offices and du-
tics of Government. One believes the pros peri.y OF
country - enc mainly TO Governmental reCula-
tons another that such intertercnces are hurttGi.
One holOt D.. society needs complex system q re-
Strs nini directing laws; while another has more
COZ f0enoe IN meas capacity for secontrol The one
i. Chpci 10 interfere Nth his neiEhhOrs cOOcerRs,
sud the other wishes To be let alone HIMSELF and to al
low oilers the same privilege These conflicting sen
tmens have always divided parties
Now Gov. 5. puts forth these positions for the
benefit Of the rumselevs ssd their confed srstes,
that they cannot be allowed s monopoly Of their
advantages. LET us slone," said the devils
cast them ont, snd sll devils in the like predica-
ment make the same outcry, either personally
or by attorney. The blsckleg. the libsrline, the
brothel keeper, the pipp, the cspper-in, the
stree,-walker, are all exactly Of the eX-Goy-
ernors opinion. Ii is the speculative basis Of
the Free Love" movement which is doing
such vast evil already, aud is destined 70 pro-
- iii IL. l..
arrested Adopt Gov. Seymour's fundamental
idea, and how shall you Justify the State in ex-
acting of man and woman who choose TO live
together promise not 10 dissolve their rels-
tion and form lew partnerships whenever sppe-
ti.e or fancy shall dictstsi Suppose they tire Of
each other, dissolve, choose fresh partners, and
are hauled up for bisamy OF adultery. But 20
this inconyenient process they respond; q" We
don't believe IN governmental regulations
of these delicste aud sensitive affections;
" we hold that such interferercss sre hariful;
1--WE deny that society needs complex sys-
Item Of restraining and directing laws We
"hsve more confidence iE mans capacity for
- self-control;' we sre not inclined 80 inter
." fere in oar neighbours concerns, bat wish t.
"'h ne let slore and to allow others the same
privilege Why rot - And il is no: pos
sible 10 snswer them without rejecting and con
,emnisg Gov. Seymours theory Of " tie o. ,es
q" anS duties Of Government" And 50 Of the
whole crowd ef ssRspALsss Ani selfseske-s
above indicsted for whom Cos. :. sp?esrs IS 5
general attorney. Hs tells rs that
The eaholisg IN rSns oa1Seiry for ss,tso,s---
Eseni Api consA hSs eG q he s6osslo Of lse co--
ave Temperance lsv.'
Bat tbs is to Rnisrstsse and beitile tie case
NEST dsplOrShly. 1t is tie andeai&hle experience
Of EsI S Isespss<ty for sslf government AID cor
trol, in this sense, which Aas inpellei civilized
communities 70 sSsuit 70 the restraints az sns
sivl government vkS.ever. Paying taxes and sab
ni;tiaS to tie rule AMI suthcriC Of saal-uin3sa
Fe,tfoeSsrs &Ie not agreeable rs- 81; il Mans
csPseir for sslfsoyenpeat" were such s. TIE
Governor assumes We sAcsa dispense with tAel
altogether, Blu. ii Is shundsntly established BY
resson and exPeneace thai, while . great Ess,y
rers0Is EXHIBIT 10! capacity for se1fsVv-
" erEneat' ~ lives Of kOnesiy, Temperance and
usefGl indEsrr! there are Thousands who ehcose
10 i've rselsssly, lHrtfslly, By prsy.ns upoa tie
earnings Ard dsrseariirs the welfare Of osAsrs
!