Newbern weekly progress., 1860-02-07
from the Petersburg Express
A RETROSPECTIVE GLANCE.

We accidentally put our hands day or two
ago upon pamphlet lying on our table, which
although not of very recent publication is never
theless worthy of the notice we propose to give
it. 1t bears the title of AddreSs deferred be
fore the Phil0nthrOptic and Diaiectic Societies of
the Unrersy Of North Carolina. jane Sd, 1857, By
Henry W. Miller, Esq - one of the most talented
anu patriotic sons of the old North State This
pamphlet is none the less worthy of notice
because it was printed three years ago. The Ad-
dress, like all other similar emanaons from Mr..
Miilers genius, is distinguished for its literary,
intellectual and oratoricd powers, no less than
for the beauties of diction and graces of stvle
with which it is adorned. Its enere-etit, comprc-
hensive and mastery Investigations of tho
sources, nature and tendency of the sectional
strife which then distracted the country, and has
since been continually increasing until it has
now reached crisis that threatens more serious
ly than ever disruption of the Union, form
prominent and interesting episode in its pages
Tne orator traces with pencil of light the excite
ment and disturbances which have been and still
pregnant with peril to Institutions, tn
their true origin, and unveils the instrumentai
ties by which they have been multiplied. strength
ened and extended. Says he g The licentious-
ness of the public press ;-(and he directs partc-
uar attention to many public Journals i'll the north
ern cities the prevalence and increasing in
huences of a corrupting literature the decay Of
political virtue the progress of social debase
ment: the prostitution of the pulpit to the fcnd-
ish purposes of faction and sedition; the rank
growth of fierce and brazen infdelity the recL-
have been for years infusing their poison in th.
minds and hearts of vast portion of our people"
In subsequent passage he graphically por-
trays the leading vices which degrades society in
the shape of those dangerous and disgusting iSms
then, now, rampant in different parts of our
land FOurtcTism with its leveng precepts and
degrading -lOrcr-ism, the 6endlsh
foe of domestic virtue-MOrmOHiSm, that hyeua OF
modern debasement, the consequence Of hose
ravages no man can contemplate without horror,
who value those most inestimabe of all jewels,
domestic peace and social happiness-Sb,rttunt
iSm that electric wire between the fell spirits OF
darkness in the toseer world and their most apt
pupils and faithful agents and representatives i'll
Mis-44boiiti0niSm that modern Mooch of pUliti-
cal and religious fanatlcsm, whose Unsuitable
wrath is sought to be appeased by the sacrifice of
our rights our happiness, 0"r honor, and the des-
truction of :he national peace-these (says Mcr)
are but samples of that brood of harpies whlch
preying on the very vtas of that social aud po-
ltical organization Of some sections of our coun-
try, and which. unless, promptly checked in their
career of mischief. must hasten that desOlation.
moral, social and political, which they are seek
ing with so much perseverlng and envenomed
rapaclty!"
We are sorry that we have not roor1ip our col
umns for further and more copions extracts from
this admirable address. The gifted author has III
its pages set forth i'll the most eloquent words
and patriotic spirit the crmnaties and public
dangers which involved in the fanatical and
lawless doctrines which he denounces. lie pic.
lures truly the results to which they inevitably
lead raises his warning voice against their further
toleraton- prescribas the needtul and proper rem
edy and appeals nobly to the conservative elc-
ments to arise its strength and crush the many
headed monster that breathes nothing but the
deadliest haired to the Union, the Constitution.
and the laws.
What was true in 1857. when Mr. Mill acIIr.
ed the Address in question, is no less trne now
Subsequent events have only stained thu words
which Ire then spoke with pr -phetic snfce,.
The dark cloud that was then Gathering over tho
political horizon has burst for n in its fury Fana-
ticism has eliminated in vert treason. It's yilo
incendiary teachings lave been practically Illus
trated IN the bloody drama Of HarPers Ferry, and
the republic, und er the shock of that dia6olicai
outrage, is ree.ing upon its foundations.
IT these references Of ours to Mr.. M:iler's Adj
dress oa the occasion stated, shall lead 10 gen
eral desire for its perusal. that will create de-
mand for new and more copioua edition, we
shall be much gratifed i'll having thus recalled
public attention to it. We know Of nothing bet
ter calculated to allay the unhappy agitations
existing, and to improve the re!atonS be-
tween the North and South. than the circulation
of that Address amongst the peaPle. It possesses
high claims to popular favor both i'll literary ami
political point of view.