Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1858-06-03

Independence Of Mind.

1t is truly lamentablc that Americans who
boast so loudly of national independence
should at the timo be held in the chains OF
mental bondage We live in land of
freedom. The golden sun of liberty sheds
its following influence around us, strewing
our paths with many flower of peace and
exciting us to deeds Of noble daring enabling
all who will to stand forth in the simplicity
Of nature teIorc the world and declare the
thoughts of their hea is and inalienable
rights in the simple eloqucnce of truth
Why then do we see so many shackled minds
Why then do we witness such disastrous
and painful influences by the actions Of re-
ligous fanatics and partisan demagogues g.
Is it because mind has lost its independence?
1t certainly appears SO. Few have moral
courags and boldness enough to stand out
and defend their rights, while the many are
swayed about by every wind aud doctrine
If men possessed more stern integrity and
independence of mind the world would not
be overturned by every excitement of mans
invention. The principal c1use of mental
slavery is ignorance, for seldom is it accom-.
panied with much learning, while on the
other hand the truly independent mind is in
dicatve of cultivation and knowledge.
Many bow and enslave themselves to pref
udices who believe this, and that, because
they were brought up so to believe, without
any inquiry into the truth and justice Of the
things believed. This manner of proceed
ing is what we might reasonably expect from
minds of limited conceptions and narrow and
contracted views.
But the independent man is not thus to be
chained down to party factions irrespective
of truth and consistency. His object is tc
seek the truth by proving all things and no,
to be duped by believing in man. He goes
for principle not for party.
Again, many are slaves to popularity the
most ignoble kind OF mental servitude.-
Thousands bow at its altar, sacrificing all
that is noble and exalted within them for the
sake Of following the multitude. The ques-
ton with them is not which is the consistent
but the popular party. 1t makes no differ
ence if the sentiments advocated de not agree
with heir own minds, if they can be seen Of
men and get into Office. But this manner o.
proceeding is perfectly absurd, and none bu
grovelng and shallow minds will stoop tc
such meanness as to throw aside principle
and self-respect. Southern Slavery is no.
to be compared to it; for many are so bound
up at the present day with the selfish interests
OF sect and party, that they dare not ever
utter their thoughts without the permission
Of their leaders at whose feet they creeE
like the meancst Of slaves. They are lee
about as it were, by the nose, and serve al
tools in the hands oil others whereby they
may build up their own peculiar party, no
so much by their real worth as by increasing
their number. When will man have an un
Outstanding Of the dignity of their natures
When will they think and act far themselves
Is not the world old euouga, and have no
men lived long enough to know that the.
have minds OF their own? Why then serv
as oot.bals for others? Why neglect tn
power of mind which God has given us 70
good aud noble purposes Let us see tina
We do not F.; but walking under the bapue
of the stars and stripes, let US stand fortl
before the world in the image Of God, ant
mantulv defend our rights. MErCALF.
North Tunbridgc.