The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1855-05-16


day around him cannot, if he would, withhold
his assent from the conclusion to which all hui
man experience leads, viz: that the world is, if
not retrograding, at least not advancing in the
moral scaIe--that this nineteenth century can
exhibit as much actual disregard of religion,
as much Indifference to the dictates of pure
morality, and as intimate a familiarity with
crime and debauchery, as any other age since
the reign of Octavius Cesar The morality
which the founder of christianity propounded
eighteen hundred years ago was perfect mo-
rality; humanity, with all its self-assumed and
braggart greatness, could make no improve
ment on it, and so dramatically opposite was
its requirements to the promptings Of passion,
and so far were they above merely human con-
ceptons Of duty or right, that from the first
some despaired of their ability to comply with
the high duties which it imposed; and this
trustees feeling has been gradually gaining
ground, until now, at the present day, it is a
doctrinal tenet of some forms of christianity
A system of expedency, and a temporising
code of morality, originated this idea of the in
compatibility of human conduct and capacity
with these absolute principles Of the christian
law; and so widely has this new spirit diffused
itself thatlt is now embodied more or less in all
the social and political institutions of the civil
Used nations. The aim of every human insti-
tuition is now of the "earth, earthly" and SO
prevalent has worldliness become that ANYBODY
who attempts to resuscitate the idea of the spir
itual regeneration of society sure to be laugh
ed at for hisp pains, nicknamed an impracticable
canter, and ridiculed out of his intention. The
guiding principles of Our social intercourse are
something like these: ''we must take men as
as if he were rogue" "man's chief end is to
glorify himself, no manner by what means"
and a variety Of other sentiments of similar
character and equally the manifestation of a
false civilization. Worldly selfshness, then, is
the predominant principle of all human action.
1t is the polar star of mems aspirations, the
motive of their efforts, and supplies the object
of all their wishes. Our common nature is so
moulded and shaped and influenced by it that
we cannot hope for any nobler system of con-
duct until that nature has undergone perfect
transformation. If we be virtuous occasional
y, it is less for virtues sake than to crafty our
vanity or minister to our ambition, or scll-love.
To ho J;c;p cd e via
tue is regarded as impossible, Or SO difficult that
few, if any, strive to accomplish it. In con-
sructing our forms Of government, however,
we tacitly acknowledge the soundness and
Of the christian morality. Attic
formation Of every popular government there
are certain immutable principles which form
he main support of the whole structure, and
whose justice and right claim the respect ofall
minds, even the most morally thwarted. But
combined with these principles, and forming
llso an integral part of the governmental sys-
EN-, are certain of those utilitarian expedients
nd temporisations to which we have adverted,
hat address themselves to individual selfish
ess, and the absence of which, in fact, would
e like the want Of grease to a cart-wheel--
be State machinery would move harshly,
reakingly, and slowly. Individual advance
lent, controlled by the mutual jealousy of men
nd kept within tolerably decent limits only by
lose elements of rigid and absolute justice
hich form part of the plan Of government, is
lie patent and prevailing idea Of every repub-
can community. The grand and administering l
m Of the humblest citizen, provided that mis-
y has not destroyed his energies or repressed
is desires, is to be able to clutch and pocket
) much as possible of social wealth and pow
:. The column Of the State is surrounded by
crowd of hungry aspirants, each endeavoring -,
haul it down, in order to make prey of the
lies hung around its apex; but as they all
all in different directions there is produced
ereby balance of counteracting forces which
reserves the tall and stately pile firm and
eady. But remove half these anxious com +
etitors, and the aggregate force Of the remain I
g half concentrated on one side will soon &C {
)npllSn inc ldll Oh the ldUllc. 1t is llllS CON
st of personal interests this contention Of par
or Individual selishness that is more oAless
lie preservative constituent of every modern {
overnment. Destroy that, and all admins {
ative power whether republican, democratic |
+ kingly, is at an end, and absolutism or an 4
rchy reigns@upreme. To those who prefer G
lie perpetuation of popular systems of national {
over, it must be a matter of serious conside- /
alton to ascertain the most effectual method of
xciting these party and sectional rivalries and :;
ocial hostilities. One of the most obvious, and {
+ the same time, one of the most powerful in 7
rumentalties that can be brought into action S
II the attainment of that end, is popular en- |
ghtenment. Mems mental constitutions differ :
much as their faces. No two individuals ,
IN be brought to think precisely alike on any S
Inject whatever. 'The external circumstan- t.
IS in which men are placed as they vary in
e case of every individual must necessarily :
;casion different ideas to be presented to each a
ind, different associations to be established c