The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1858-02-03

iag thu yeang Governor arrived at the |
truth aud eqnity of the case without be-
ing able u assign correct scientific rea- !
sons for his opinior. Il
do not wish to he understood as dis |
earding reason, but that it tie used in con.
uec,ion with instinct, feeling, intuition. =
But if reasoa disagrees with these we may !
safely conclude there is something wrong
Bat if instinct, feeling, and intuition make
their decision, and that decision is re-af-
tirmed by reason, they mutually confirm
each other, and assurance becomes doably
sure. This is common sense. This COM
mon sense then implies an intuitive per-
ceprion ofthc relati iii Of things, aud a cor
rect Judgment; and enables us to discern
what is right, and expelent in the prac-
ticsl duties of life
1t was this national characteristic of
strong couimon sense that fought success
fully the battles of the revelation, and
gained Heavens highest earthly boom for
man, Liberty in its fullest .4nericaa sense
II was practical common sense that con
siituted the far seeing statesman of those
times; and conducted them safely over the
snrgihg waves of the political e!ementtha
threatened to ingulph them at every step.
Aud amid the difficulties incident to the
high trust committed TO them, they sue
cessfuHy rearedthe only popular form of
government into existence, that derived
the elements of its power from the con-
ca,af, NJ ho 2
of this common sense that gave the Amer
icanl Leg gisixturea power and influence OF
home, and commanded the highest respect
abroadv--that gave character and efficien-
|cy to our diplomacy, by which our rights
have been, and are respected by all the
world. Ii was the productive energy Of
this common sense that has constituted
the inventive genins of the nation, of
worldwide celebrity. Steam and elec.
tricity, with the iAnumerable inveatiohs
Of Yaukeedom have contributed 10 deyel-
ope the iaultiform resources that consti-
tutes US one OF the foremost aud weaithiest
nations Of the world 1t was this common
sense that constituted the conservative
element Of the nation that at every period
of our historyl hasssol happily dtspeiisdSthe
clouds that at times seemed to obscure,
the brightness of our Apolitical fataee. =
And though corrupt and designing politi-
eians who have always constituted, and
still are those clouds may darken for a
time the brightness efsour future; yet this
conservative element HCommon Sense"
will lrove an impre enable buiwark iarounH
our national peace and glory. This same
principle is of as successful applicatiou to
our moral aud social position compared
with The great drama OF the world; which
the length. Of this essay furbidsto ampiify
Boosting an ancestry whose characteristics
| have Indicated, we suppose that the eie-
ments of this faculty, nature has conferred
on oil in nearly equal proportions. The
great diversity arises not SO mueh from
the amount originally bestowed, as ia the
manner of its cultivation. The man OF
genius may be said to be only q modi6ca-
tion of the man Of extraordinary common
sense. Doubtless the same mental quail
ties iaherent in one exists in the other,
only perhaps in higher degree, and with
this difference: genius is generally directed
to q particular object or class of objects,
while common sense is more universal in
It's application. ie
Coicridge has called genius the power
of carrying the feelings of childhood iato
the power OF manhood! We are doubtless
to understand this great mind in this Sc II
timent, to reprobate this almost uniyer-al
tendency Of his, and may | not say the
present age to discard the very elements
of our moral and intellectual tness.
Our observations prove that chillren abs-
sess many truths at which they never
have arrived by the process Of Forna
reasr ming. The truth is brough. directly
TO their, minds, and they only obey the
impulses Of feeling ia receiving it as truth
And if we had all carried this spirit in
childhood with US ints our manhood W.
wonld all he geniuses. II is this spiri
in man that causes him to bound ut once
over the slow aud intricate processes o.
4 deductions TO bask in the bright ideal q
tuot hosiCS u lboh tHO SOuit uOI .0dTt
he doubt the conclusions to which he arri
YES. this the spirit that gives life anc
music to the measured strains of the poe
as he sings of nature of the painter, who
by the delicate touch of the peacl pre-
sents us with the antetype of nature-al
most living speaking nature. upon tn,
inert canvass. The same thing may b,
said of common sense, which is, as implied
by its name. of universal application tt
the ordinary affairs OF life There is
voice withia a,sy answering to that of nature
J, without US, and if we attend to those twr
voices, o ur ncntal' cultivation will be rojli
! paratiyeiy easy sl,i ;sueesssfula Infthi,
:. fast age. one ef.the prevulent defects in TIL,
formation Of the scholar, lis IL disposition
to plant the Tree of knowledge on som
; elevation, from which stand peint the pos
> SCISSOR may the more readily luxariate hi
. oifactories on the ideal fragments of ma