The mountain Democrat., 1863-10-31
or oorrnsroerpasxrs.
IntrodNetOHY.


The history Of the world informs Us Of NO
other political Issues equal, in magnitude, to
those pending before the American people.
IL therefore becomes, under the circumstan-
ces, the duty Of every American citizen, perse'
veringly 70 put forth his greatest efforts to rise
equal 70 the demand which is made upon his
energies.
II an arm Is 10 be amputated, We do not
knowingly employ man who has no skill 10
surgery. Ifan esteemed friend Is dangerously
sick, We do not cOn6de his cure to the first
Quack who Oficiously offers bis services.
Is II difficult and delicate task u uNske> e
prescription which will save the life Of hu'
man beingf Il is much more so, to devise .
policy which, in every particular, will be beat
for . nation.
To secure the greatest attainable good for
our common country, we must know and do
what is for the best.
In . crisis like the present, we may fall far
short Of our duty in merely acting according 70
| the best of our knowledge. A 0uack, through
want Of that skill which, by diligence aud in
dustry be might have acquired, may honestly
make prescriptions which will kill bis patients.
Should've do 80, his honesty of purpose would
not justify him in administering the deadly
poison, instead of the health restoring medi-
cine. An American citizen, through want Of
that knowledge which, by rasGcsrh and iDVes-
tigation he might have gained, may honestly
abet policy which, If carried out in practice,
will overthrow the Government. His mere
honesty Of purpose cannot, in such case, justify
him. Our errors in judgment are guiltless,
only in the cases in which we have availed
ourselves Of all suitable opportunities, TO store
our minds with that correct information which
will enable us TO avoid them.
| In the natural order of things, investigation
should precede action.
False theories of medicine and false theories
of Government, are somewhat analogous. The
more closely we adhere to false theory OF
medicine, the greater will be the destruction OF
health and life. The more closely we adhere
to false theory of Government, the worse for
the country.
There are two questions which, in political
importance, Overshadow all others that can be
presented for our consideration. These ques-
tions are, What is the true theory of Govern
ment2 How can that theory be most effectu-
ally carried out in practice ?"
In the investigation of those questions, the
entire intellect Of the nation should be sum
moned to its best efforts. That the investiga-
ton may be crowned with the greatest attain
able success, il should be conducted in the best
manner the frailty of our nature will permit.
| Connected with the investigation required,
there are two topics which stand forw ard in
bold relief. Those prominent topics are think
ing and the communication of thoughts.
1t is, perhaps, true, that no two men are
exactly equal in ability, as mere thinkers. In
the world of mind may be found the Solomons,
the idiots, and innumerable gradations between
the two extremes. Each man is responsible for
the exact measure Of ability confided to his
charge.
In the great mental conflict which is going
on, each American citizen should devote TO the
service of his country his best powers oi
thought.
In thinking upon the mighty issues of the
day, we should always be honest with our.
selves. We should assiduously cultivate a
| truth loving frame Of mind. We should be
animated, not by desire to find arguments to
sustain this or that theory, but by a wish to
know the truth, the whole truth, and nothing
but the truth. Taught by universal experience
that the unaided intellect of individual man is
not sufficient to conduct him to all attainable
truth, We should derive all the light we can
from the investigation of others. To that end,
we should learn the views Of those who differ
with us, and the arguments by which they
maintain them. Bearing in mind that the
"wish" is too easily "faIher TO the thought"
we should be unremitting in our efforts 10 free
ourselves from all influences Of passion and
prejudice.
There are many who think with the view Of
subsequently communicating their thoughts TO
others. Those who do so, should aim to pro-
uuce Sucu tnouSutS ANU arguments as VIII AZ
tract attention and prove worthy of considera-
| ton.
In regard to the communication of thoughts,
l have but little, at present, to say.
Whether we converse, write, or make public
speeches, we should always aim to present our
thoughts in a respectful, clear, earnest, and
fOrcible manner. We should scorn all appeals
to mere passion or prejudice. We should never
aim to secure credit for what We do not believe
to be true.
Having said thus much, by way Of preface,
announce to the public that it is my purpose
to discuss the political issues of the day, in
succeeding numbers Of the M0UNxAIS. DEMo-
cRAr. JAMES JOHNSON.