Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1866-05-25
The Want of the Age.

| We heard distinguished minister OF
the Gospel, but short time since, remark
in pulpit effort THAT the want Of this
age is MEN AND WOMEN There is an
abundance of people i'll the world of an
adult age. as we may learn by the census
tables, but this does not meet the wants of
the times. To carry on the various and
varied efforts which the needs of our com
mon humanity demands, agents are needed
who are fully impressed with the import
ance and necessity of real independence
and genuine honesty, and straightforward
dealing with all the questions of daily life
In politics. i'll Religion. i'll Temperance,
in all the social and moral reforms of the
day, men and women are wanted. Not
half hearted, doubling. unbelicring, quer-
rulous. nor timid and timc-serying men
and women, but just the opposite. Philip
the Second and those he opposed in war,
found regiments of troops ready to enter
the service Of that side that would pay
best; and such ready pay, no principle
fighting men have been found in all ages
of the world. Neither does this age want
men and women of mere physical courage.
Not this, for there is plenty of animal
courage in the world Int there is a lack,
land the speaker alluded to fully undsr-
stood this want) of moral courage-inde
pcndencc of character-genuine indeprnd
ence. If a person has thoroughly studied
a question that comes up for action aud
can give reason for the hope that is in
him. lie should not, aud will not wait to
see how some other person may think or
act before he expresses an opinion. Nei-
thcr should he wait for others to urge him
or her to dojust what an enlightened con-
science and public duty requires to be done.
Politicians in canvassing a state or n
district, just before u close political coll
test. always have a column for the "douht
ful' and this class makes Ini.e rcspecta.
BILE portion of the while. 1t is too large
by half. always, because not more than
hale are honestly undecided. Some ar"
truly and honestly so, but the major part
of the doubtful, either in religions matters
or politics. or temperance. have not the
moral courage to act as they think, or they
do not think for themselves. or they are
/ liable to be unworthily influenced by
others, or adverse circumstances. These
arc not such "men and wonen,' as thi.
age demands.
When Martin Luther was OH his way
to Worms to he tried for heresy. friend
despatched messenger to warn him o
danger and to dissuade him from appearing
but the independent Luther, said to thu
messenger, "go tell your master thai
though there were as many devils il
Worms as tiles upon the housctops | vii
enter it - and he did.
John Quincy Adams fought with beast
at Ephesus." for four days at one time' 70
the right of petition, and came off victori
GUS in the conflict. His whole life was
conflict. and he was always ready to liste:
to others. but he never failed to defend tn
right. If we had had men in Office at thu
Capital at the first breaking ont of tn
rebellion, it would have been smothere'
at once. If the patriotic utterancc of tn
chivilric General Dix, '.to shoot the MAJ
that haus down the American flag" ha,
had been acted upon at the commence
ment Of the war, oceans of blood woul
have been spared. 1t is not loud talkini
men and women, nor those of impulsiv
natures, nor those that are always fndin;
fault and think themselves better,or richer
or wiser, or more honorable, than thci
neighbors, that the age demands; for til
independent are. or should he. modest an
quiet, and thoughtful, yet decided and ;ru
to principle.