The national Republican., 1867-07-22
REFOR M.

ihere 10 PrOpapiy uV WOru III the ciibiish
language, the true significance Of which is
more generally misunderstood, than this
which we have placed at the head Of this
column. There are some men who con-
stantly persist in reading history back
wards; so there are those whose persistent
aim it is to reform the world backwards.
These efforts may be described as Her.
culian tasks, which always result in fail.
ures; still the adherents of this theory will
never learn wisdom from any number Of
failures, but will perseverc in the line Of
what they call duty, just as though it had
not been demonstrated again and again
that all the antecedent efforts Of the nature
of those put forth by themselves and their
predecessors had not in every instance
met with signal defeat. 1t is q trite say
ing that reforms never 60 backwards"
but it is true, as it is trite, in its application
to real reform.
As "all is not gold that glitters," so all
is not reform that plumes itself under this
designation. But how shall we distinguish
between the true and the false reform
between what is worthless, quixotic, uto-
plan and mischievous, and what is genu-
inc, useful and benefcent 4? The true test
of reform will be found in what it proposes
to do. Does it benefit mankind? Does it
elevate and educate the masses? Docs it
make mans physical, moral and social
condition better Brought to these tests
examined in the light which these ques-
tions suggest, if the movement shall pre-
sent practical exemplifcation in well-at-
tested demonstration, it may be set down
as genuine reform. Now, there are plenty
of people who set themselves up as re-
formers in religion, in politics, and in the
physical and social sciences, but many OF
the propositions which they lay down
would, if adopted and acted upon, carry
the world back to state of barbarism.
There are many well-meaning people in
the community who see clearly that the
theories which these refOrmers propose,
carried to their legitimate ends, would re-
suit in what we have suggested above; so
they close their minds against all light,
and become content with things as they
are, never daring to move IN favor of any
improvement Of society outside OF the
beaten track, for fear they should thereby
lose their conservative status, and be found
acting with the destructives.
AL this is theory. We will now give
one or two illustrations Of what we call
real reform. That was a true reform com.
menced by CLARKsoS and WmBERFoRoE
which eliminated in the liberation OF
eight hundred thousand bondsmen in the
British West India Islands. So, also. was
that genuine reform which commenced
in this country nearly half century ago,
and aided in the Liberation of four millions
of slaves. Do not let anybody feel alarmed
we only speak now of what is history
There was, during the progress Of this re
form, among good men and patriots mucl
doubt and misgiving; and this doubt an,
distrust would have continued many year
longer had not Divine Providence, through
the terrific agency Of war, put an end u
an institution which no man would on an
account see restored. That this was
genuine and blessed reform is seen in th
facts which are daily developed in the con
duct and character Of the freedmen. Th
entire nation is awakening from its sleep
and the many errors which we cherished
in respect to the utility and safety o
emancipation are being dissipated Th,