Preble County Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1857-1859, 1858-02-04
Confusion.


war or peace, certainly not of peace, il
the history of our country, when col
fusion prevailed to such an extern
Throughout the land as at the present
day. We have of late been induced tc
boast of our great advances in c~iviliza,
ton and enlightenment; and in good
truth we could easily throw into prom.
inence a variety of facts to sustain this
agreeable and complacent delusion-s
delusion, simply, because the fact is
rather seriously embarrassed with the
confusion which is almost overwhelming
us. In political affairs, for instance,
there never was such a jangling of par
ties and opinions we have now. The
Fold divisions completely obliterated, we
have a large, influential party in the
North, banded together hy the force of
one idea, and a purpose which is totally
impracticable but through invasion of
the rights of the other half of the con-
federacy. A parry, moreover, which
Increases the element of hostility at eve
ry success it can hope to achieve, and
must constantly disturb public harmo-
ny, if not imporil the Union itself
Another party exists which proposes
fundamental changes in the national
institutions, and the broad, comprehen-
sive spilit of the constitution itself
While in the democratic party, men are
arraying themselves in factious opposi-
ton to the most obvious measures for
the promotion of the peace and unity OF
public affairs.
In moral and religious affairs confu-
sion is not less apparent. Politics have
become a mania with a multitude of
preachers, and they have entered by
thousands into the field. of strife, only
to degrade their position, and soil with
an ostentatious pretense of authority in
public ahairs their pulpit garb. In a
sort of mongrel abuse of morals, religion
and politics, all at once, we have Nor
monism erecting its rebellious front
against all deceney and law and stand
ing forth as a great abomination, indi-
genous and most anomalous in its char
acter, as brought into contrast with our
institutions.
In moneary affairs a terrible revulsiou
has thrown into confusion almost the
entire business interests of the nation.
Men have been tried by an experience
they never anticipated and could not
have conceived. Corporations, i%nstitu-
tons, firms and individuals have passed.
or are passing, through the severest or
deal that has tested the realities of bu-
siness affairs in all the country. And
We have a series of expeditions proving
dishonesty, incapacity, recklessness, ex-
t~ravaganee and folly in place and men,
while public confidence and credulity
had almost ha.lowed the one as the
shrines and the other as the high priests
of wisdom and integrity. The veil is
rent in twain, and there is nothing but
inextricable confusion.
Out of all this what arc we to expect?
VIII men acquire and cherish expert
ence that shall be serviceable for good
hereafter, for this generation and others
yet to come? Shall we fall back upon
safe religious, moral, political and bust
ness principles, that we may be thereby
enabled to make real progress in the
future? The question addresses itself
to every man, and it must be frankly
considered and determined; for it is one
that involves the honor, the interests
the prosperity of each community and
the nation at large. There must be a
radical reform in the tone, spirit and
sentiment of the age, or it must follow,
inevitably, that the confusion of this
day shall lot remotely in the future be
sworse confounded.'