Mineral Point tribune. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1854-1858, 1858-09-28
hINERAL POINT TRIBUNE,


l.
MEssRs. EDIToRs-1t has accidentally come
to my knowledge that, within the past few DAYS.
several inquiries have been started as 70 the
originality of the articles which have recently
appeared in this paper over my signature Now,
do not blame any one for surmisng this to be
the case, inasmuch aS there IS 4 characteristic
similarity existing in all writings upon this
branch Of reform but consider it justice to NY
self TO say that I am wholly innocent OF pla-
giarism So far the subject matter is consid-
cred very little of ii is original but | have IN
variably chosen my own method of expression
unless indeed from repeated readings upon this
subject, may have unconscioul adopted an
others words. | would have this understood.
both as TO what have written and what may
write, that I seek rather to enforce admitted
facts than to advance new ideas, intersperscd
with my own thoughts and clothed in my own
language. / trust this explanation Is sufficient.
Whence cometh the necessity Of reform
From our own crooked and perverse natures
1t matters not so much in the solution Of this
question whether man once more nearly attained
10 the perfect type of Manhood, or whether he
now occupies the highest standpoint ever held
by the image of God" Man is a progressive
being, unquestionably, and, TO say the least il
Is a strong presumption that he never in time
past, either specie or individual. possessed
that degree Of development which now charac-
terizes him. True, both individuals and nations
appear to retrograde, but is it not simply the
wIndings Of that great river, which. in It's prog
ress toward the ocean of Ininity, may even run
for miles towards its rise Reform, reform Is
borne upon every breeze, and IS heard as well
from the lips of the plow-boy as the statesman
We have our educational reformers, our temper
ance reiormerS, our moral reforruers. our Spirit
ual reformers, our Woman's Rights ref1rmers.
etc, etc, and Gas writer has said of the great
pyramid Of religious sectarianism, now upon lis
aper,) each one imagincs if he should refuse lis
support the fabric Of society would rush head
long to destruction Moreover, reformers are
not aaljtod in their efforts. The thorough going
temperance rclormer may not be Of antl-slaverv
views, while lie who zealously lab0rs for the
freedom Of man may be veritable slave to him
self that IS to his passions. Reforms have
multiplied to such extent, and isms' and
"ologies " have become 50 prevalent, that one
may well question the truth Of any - and what
Is worst of all, some Of them are diametricallv
opposed to others Oh, what a connection is
there at present in the religious, political social
and educational departments Of thought Think
YOU that this agitation will not eventually evolve
the truth, separate the wheat from the chaff p
In this great struggle the errors which have de-
scended to from i" time immemorial - the
superstition, bgotry, fanaticism aud intolerance
which so long have fettcred mind in its on
ward march - are to be dissipated. and it viii
come forth strengthened by victory and refreshed
for the rapid strides which it Is to make in in
telligence and morality.
Whence ariseth these conflicting reformatorv
efforts There Is true standard of Manhood,
VIZ the propo liouate and harmonious devol-
opement Of the chronological faculties and
jnst in proportion as our faculties deviate from
this condition, VIII our views of surroundings
be warped and imperfect. As lie whose eyes or /
ears are imperfect cannot distinguish colors OF
appreciate musical harmonies, so he who has de-
fcient benevolence, or veneration, or conscicn-
siousness, cannot appreciate these qualities in
others, the acts which result from their full /
developement. To use common expression, he
sees everything through colorca glasses If hope
is deficient, he looks through dark medium.
and the whole pathway Of life is tinged with
gloom if it IS excessive, he Is ever on the tip
toe Of expectation, and though his visionary
castles are forever crunbling, upon their re-
mains he builds something still more extrava-
giant; does beuevolence predominate, he cannot
conceive of the Deity as that stern Monarch
whom destructivencss and couscienciousness
In short overytdiaq above, beneath /.
and around is tlnged with the characteristics Of
the beholder Even the abstract ideas Of JUS .
tice, love mercy. etc. form no exception. The
Bible means orthodoxy to one and unversalism
to another trnitarianIsgn to one and unitarian
ism to another, while to third il bears upon its
every leaf unqualified absur3ities. Oh. truth
cannot be received into the soul until it is fitted
for its reception. Good seed VIII not spring Ep (
from stony ground, neither can we gather tigs
from thistlee How important then that we
first of all understand ourselves and how ne
cessary that we attain to the perfect standard (
Of Manhood, in order that we may have correct
of the work before Us that we
esteem not that TO be evil which Is good neither
advocate erroneous principles subversiye q the .
good we would establish
In accordance with this principle that men I
can receive truth only as they can digest it
and only appreciate that which is adapted to
their particular stage Of development - is the I
rationale Of the determined opposition to every I
new truth which Las been brought 10 light +
The same spirit which prosecuted Calico is still /
abroad. So long accustomed 10 the shades OF
error and superstition, men cannot at once bear
the full blaze Of the sun Of TRUTH and they raise
all manner of pretexts 10 screen their erroneous
doctrines from It's searching influence. But TO (
it they must ultimately come. Hence, too, Go +
We understand the intense excitement manifest /
ed upon Spirituallsm Woman's Rights, Free /
Lover = DC, and, formerly, upon Phrenology,
and Mesmerisn. Do you ever hnd those who /
have fully investigated reform principles de- .
nouncing them ? Never. Which would cur
forefathers have considered the most absurd.
proposition IL establish stantane eous coHlfHEGI-