The Kanzas news., 1858-02-06
MoraIity and Freedom.

To be free IS not only a release from po-
litical thraldom,' but such state Of social
and moral progress as win enable the fortu-
nate possessors of liberty to use It Alright.
No man, community or nation, is entirely
free until they perceive the truth contained
in the above proposition. The strength of
people struggling TO be free consists not
alone in their knowledge of the rights be-
longing to them, but in the moral dignity
which honesty of purpose and simple man
illness of character invests them with. The
sobriety and purity of life which character
lied the Spartans of old, gave them much
of the Immortality with which their name
is stamped. No immoral nation ever be-
came free no intemperate community ever
organized itself into living, lasting repub-
lic All attempts made by people corrupt
in their morals and debauched in their man
ners to inaugurate democracy, have inva-
riably degenerated into despotisms. The
frugal and abstemious habits of the Swiss
had as much influence in gaining the free
dom of William Tells home and in keeping
it a monument of the principles of self
government, as their mountain barriers and
brave hearts.
It is well for US to remember the lessons
which history is constantly pointing out 10
us. Luxury, laxity of morals, intempe-
rance, and a disregard of the deceneies of
life, have far more to do with the corruption
of political parties and the downfall of free
institutions than the promptings of ambi-
ton and the cravings after fame. No sooner
do these things creep into public life, be-
come marked upon the face of party or
people, than the corrupt politician is hailed
as statesman, and the desnagogue as a denst-
god. Then the man who sneers at princi-
pie, and considers s'expediency'' as the only
policy" is welcomed as leader, and his
words accepted as oracles.
The main argument advanced everywhere
in the North in favor of the people of Kan
zas was this, that they were pre-eminently
the representatives of principles; that their
leaders were patriots, not politicians that
the people themselves were God fearing,
man -honoring, temperate, industrious, moral
community, and that therefore their cause
was the representative of all the ideas dear
to the heart and the true mainsprings of
human progress.
Such were some of the arguments and
reasons adduced in favor of the freemen of
Kanzas. 1t was true, pre-eminently true,
in the early history of our struggle. The
men who first came to Kanzas were of the
old Revolutionary stock and blood, and they
in their steadfastness of purpose and integ-
/ rity of character did honor to those from
whom they descended Two years ago the
majority of our leaders were those who en-
deayored to represent that element. Then
drunkenness was mark of disgrace, and
immortality of conduct caused man to be
feared and distrusted. However, ga change
has come over the spirit of our dreams, :"
and the things once secuted are now tolera-
ted and approved.
1t were we'll for us to look at the present
state of affairs and see how twelve months
of peace has debauched, not only our polit-
ical morality, but our habits of personal
temperance and virtue. To be worthy of
our high destiny as the regenerators of
American Institutions to be really and truly
deserving of freedom; to do as becometh
men, living, acting and moving in an age
full of grand thoughts and mighty deeds /;
to successfully achieve victory, the battle
for which is not yet half fought, it will be
we'll for us to remember the teachings of
all history, that freedom, true, vital and
beautiful, goes hand in hand with morality,
frugaity and temperance, ere man can en-
Joy the fulness of its blessings, and hear the
glorious harmony of its magnificent anthem
pealing clearly through the spaceless realms
of the universe.