Mineral Point weekly tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1859-1868, 1859-01-25
NO. 4

and even strict justice. demands that rury
should be taken as standard by which to
determine the principles and character of
our institution. Man is not only falible
IN the conclusions of his reason, bp, he is
filled with evil passions which. do the
best we can to restrain them, are contin-
ually breaking through the barriers of
moral preCep,s, with which the worst of
Us are always wiling to surround our
selves. This unjust mode of comparison
has been used against every organization,
political, religious, moral or social, that
has ever existed under the SUM- ask
every individual here presen; to consider
IN his own mind some Institution having,
according TO his notion. a set of principles
at lis foundation, which, if literally car
red out, would be most likely to make its
members perfectly vir;uous. and, conse-
quently, perfectly happy. And if his
knows of any such an one, l again ask
hun 10 look over the persons protesting to
be governed By lis doctrines, and deter
mine whether these undoubtedly excel
lert principles and rules of conduct have
possessed an assiuiiating power sufficient
TO elevate the very best of their believers
and followers 10 standard even remote
ly approaching that high degree of per-
fection which he feels MIGHT be attainea
under those principles.
Notwithstanding the eternal tendenc.
of our passions, IHsts and appetites, 10
lead us eStfay from the paths of virtue,
there IS a god principle planted in every
human breast, faithful sentinel TO give
the alarm to his heart. upon the concep-
ton of every though upon the eve of ev-
cry action. which threatens To violate his
daty TO hss God, his country, or his fellow
men. And, alas though the sentinel is
TOO often Overpowered on his post, and
the unfortunate being whose passions are
stronger than his redson gives way TO the
aIlurements of wee, un;Il he retains litlle
else IN common with his fellow-men bu,
the form, yet the sentinel, CONSCIENCE,
still sounds lis feeble alarms, and the
sinking wretch sl,lt grasps at the hopc
that appetItes which have overpowered
his own moral nature may be cotnbatted
and conquered by the force of creeds and
precepts. Does charity require that we
should turn our backs upon this unfortu-
nate class OF our brethren, who acknowl-
edge the terrOrs of wee, whilst they are
continually dragged away by It's allure
mentS On tine contrary, is ii not our
duty to receive them INTO fellowship, and
to endeav0r. by all the powers of persua-
sion, example and precept, to lead them
back to the ways OF virtue. If an insti-
tuition IS founded upon correct principles,
will Familiarity with rs doctrines and
practice tend TO elevate the minds and
hearts OF It's members or Is there danger
that these principles will become corrupted
by contact with the vicious
\ period Of ten years has now elapsed
since the last public assenblage OF cur
Order ia tins town, and | wish to call
your attention TO the tact that ohort and
heeung as are the years allotted to an or
dlnary generation OF men, yet within
those few days death and circumstances
have anticipated the march of time, and
the old place is ia fact peopled by new
generation of men. That ten years has
deprived Us Of citizens whose loss is not
mOuTned by orders, sects or societies.
they have left an absolute void in the
community Of which they were members
they are missed from every walk of
H.e-and IN social festive gathering, like
this, there Is an aching consciousness In
every breast that knew them that those
dear old faces are absent-that those To-
cund, cheerful voices which have made
SO many hours light and joyful, are
hushed-that those hands which have
done so many acts Of kindness are mo-
tIonless-and those high, warm hearts
which throbbed responsive to all that was
generous and good, are but dust and
ashes. Il has Jared alike with old and
young some are dead; bet most are
scattered 10 distant countries, and there
cannot be one present to-day who lived in
this place ten years ago. that does not feel
that some of the ties which bound him TO
life have been loosed or broken. 1t would
afford me great pleasure, (and might be
proper) to sketch the character and mark
the virtues Of such men as the late DIR.
Ross. o. ]. Minor, Phillip Thomas and
Co. Nichols. As they were all members Of
our Oder Bat (as have already inti-
mated, the influence of their virtues,
their social qualities and their cha arities,
and the gaps which they have left, not be-
ing confined to any sect, order or society,
bat affecting the whole community in
which they lived, / consider that some
general occasion would be more appropri-
ate on which | could speak Of them mere
IL as their fellow-cItIzen and friend.
To Whatever orders, sects, or parties,
we may h=long, (since perfect happiness
is not aitainable on this earth, the true
object Of life seems to be to lessen the
sum OF misery eLtailed upon ourselves
and or feiiow-beings. To aid and as
sist a distressed brother" is one of the
first principles impressed upon the niem-