Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1864-02-01
THE EVENING 3 NEWS.
Modern Progress.

MOueIu IIOSFe1Ss t'.
Men call this an age of progress. They
speak contemptuously of days gone by. They
boast that the Nineteenth Century has far
surpassed all Its predecessors, and they point
to coming years, whose advances will be still
more glorious. Their thoughts are all Of the
future, and pleasant memories Of the past
never visit them in dreaming hours. Weop-
pose no progress which tends to benefit man
kind, either enlightening their ignorance or
improving their morals -by ameliorating
their condition or promoting their happiness.
There are broad fields and ample opportuni-
ties yet for the exercise of philanthropy, and
in these days, when private interest so
strongly prcdominates, public benefactor
should receive high and lasting honors. II
We would check no earnest inquiry after
truth, no matter whittier it be directed. Nj
merous errors yet abound. II, by inyestiga-
ton and research, new laws can be discoy-
cred, or unknown facts revealed, let them be
announced. AS the woods have flowers Of
sweetest odor, and the ocean shells of un-
known beauty, which human eyes have never
Geheld, so there are truths Of rare value hid
den from our yiew-whose discovery would
fill the mind with delight.
We must, however, oppose and resist the
spirit of innovation and change now prevail
ing through the land. { " Excelsior is mo-
BILE motto; but one can Journey onward with
out forgetting the pathway over which he
has. journeyed. New edifices can be built
without destroying the stately piles which
our fathers reared.
A spirit of progress is indeed commenda-
Bile in any nation; yet it must be controlled
and guided by wise and prudent counsels,
lest perchance it lead to revolutionary and
radical changes involving in the end de-
struction. .r. .nF|
Ambition is a noble trait of human charac-
ter, and he who possesses it in an eminent
degree, has the world for his stage Of action,
and living men for spectators. But let ambi-
ton be uncontrolled, let it become the sole
principle of action, and it will lead an indi-
vidual or a nation to acts Of violence and
horror as all history attests. m I'm
There was an Erostrados, as well as a
Leonidas; Cataline lived cotemporaneous-
ly with Cicero, and i'll contrast with the
hero Washington, there stands the traitor
Arnold. History teaches that Greece was
safest when her power was weakest, strength
only inspired desire for conquest, and con-
quest brought with it "unnumbcred woes"
When the limits of Rome were narrow, her
citizens were loyal and true and no dangers
imperilled the State. But when her legions
encamped in far distant regions, and her
eagles futtered all over Europe, Rome fell.
Prosperity engendered pride, and pride
brought forth It's fruits-private corruption
and loss of all public spirit save that of
bourdless ambition.
Let us inquire whence comes this cry OF
progress" Is it more than wild and un-.
governed ambition-a boastful reliance upon
human wisdom, fanatical desire to estab-
liSh new institutions Who are its leading
advocates In their ranks we find self
styled philosophers" so mystifed by ruin
and idle speculations as to scarcely know
what they themselves believe. Allied with /
them are cunning and crafty adyenturers
who see, in the order Of things to be estab-
lished, new opportunities for self-advance-
ment, not to mention self-aggrandizement.
Others striving for notoriety, no matter how
obtained; for authority and power, il it last
but day, Join in the cry Of progress, de-
yelopment and reform.
Weak minded females must also take part
in so great movement. They suddenly
discover that they have mission to perform,
which they do, by laying aside all delicacy
and modesty and discoursing fippantly upon
"Woman's Rights" and kindred themes.
Nor must we omit demugogucs, eager for the
spoils Of Office, nor hypocritical philanthro-.
pists, who weep loudly over their brethren in
China and India, while the poor are suffered
to starve at their doors. Thomas Carlyle
has spoken of the present as an age of
"shams and cant" and he is nearly right.
But it is also an era characterized by dam
gerous innovations, radicalism disguised un-
der the name Of progress, and advocated by
such characters as we have already alluded
Sn kho LAM
changes and innovations dangerous to So
ciety and the commonwealth itself.
Ifthese progressionists" would only con.
fine themselves to political questions, we
would not despond of the future They
might disfgurc some portion Of the glorious
edifce, whose walls are cemented with the
blood of patriots. Future generations could
repair the damage and restore its pristine
beauty. But with a perseverance worthy
better cause, they disseminate doctrines
which tend to corrupt individuals, to dissevcr
the family circle, to introduce discord among
citizens of the same republic; principles
which if carried out would soon destroy this
great Union, around which cluster so many
precious memories and thrilling hopes. ..i
The prosperity, aye, the very existence ofa
government like ours, depends upon the
character and conduct Of our citizens. Ifthe
latter be corrupted, the destruction of the
former will soon follow. Private vice al
ways precedes public decay"
1t might reasonably be expected, amid the
innovations and reforms Of these latter days,
that there would arise new phases Of religious
belief. Accordingly We find those who re-
iterate the cold and cheerless doctrines of
the French Atheists, and proclaim "Death"
and eternal sleep. Others on the contrary
ka1l 4 H., ~. 4
parted spirits, which attest their presence by
physical manifestations.
Polygamy with one sect is claimed as q d.
vinely appointed institution, and "Free Love"
is openly advocated as moral and religious
principle. Millerism has been predicted, and
men and women have more than once put on
their ascension robes" and waited eagerly