The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1855-05-25
MISCELLANY.
iron TIE INDrrEsDENr rREss.l
:. st Virtue,

exUnded disqulsltions. And their prohxlty
and ambiguity have given rise to controver-
sies which have resulted in the origination
of various theories. It's intimate connec-
ton with human happiness makes it of par
amount Importance, and demands for it
much attention and philosophical investiga-
ton. Every system that has ever been pro-
posed, however competent may have been
It's author to understand the complexity Of
It's relations, and to comprehend all logical
Inconsistencies, has been considered defec-
tive in some Of its operations. He, then,
that adopts the views Of another and follows
in his wake, will be compelled to contend
with great opposition; and combat strongly
urged objections But be who blazes out a
new path, generates theory Of his own,
and expects that it will be entirely unexcep-
tionable, aims at q pre-eminence as yet un-
attainable,,and will be doomed to suffer dis
appointment. Hence an eclectic system is
preferable to all others. But it must consist
principally of the most rational one eextant.
Virtue is, an emotion of moral approba-
ton or disapprobation, which, in unequal
degrees, exists in every individual of the
human race, and is not to be considered
with respect to actions nor agents alone, but
both combined. ~
The physical and mental organization Of
man, his situation, and the relation which he
sustains to society and his Creator, lead evi-
IDENTIFY to the conclusion that his happiness
was intended. Ard it is an impossibility
for him to be happy, unless he is in posses
sion Of an emotion which will approve what
is right, condemn what is wrong, and make
him feel moral obligation to perform his
duty. He has intellectual faculties which
perform their respective functions, but it is
not their province, independent Of all 9th
ers, to decide what is virtuous or vicious
Deprive him Of, the power Of practising vir.
tue, and he is robbed Of the only means by
which he can>obtain happiness. How de-
plorable would be the condition of the world,
if this feeling did not enter into the nature
of his mental constitution No one would
be morally bound to perform any'duty, as
he could not know the rectitude of actions.
There would be no restraint upon the .exer-
else Of the passions, which would increase
misery, and ultimately extinguish the race Of
mankind. -..s,s, ,.r
The universally of this inherent princi-
pie is co-existent, With all created intelli-
: gence-"diffusa in omnes, constans, sempi-
tuna" But it must be admitted that the
same actions are not regarded in the same
light by a person at all times, nor by differ
ent individuals or nations. Were it even
admitted-which it Of course is-that Ger.
tain actions were considered virtuous: in one
country and vicious in aaother, still it would
not prove this universality to be false. All
emanated from the same Divine source, are
similarly constituted ;and are alike RESPONSE
bic for every athougbt, word and action:"-
And while virtue thus may seem to be fluc
tuating, it remains relatively immutable
and could all persons be esubjected to likein
auences, there would not be any difference
in the quality Of virtue; or, rather, they
would agree in their appreciation Of /
praiseworthy deed, and also iin their sdisap
probation Of one which truly merited indig
nation. \ @I;s .g:sss e NJ ~ 4 &
But there are reasons which account 70
such Q great disparity :in the perceptions Q