Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1867-08-16
PoIIfIcs and Morals.

'@5l ....,,,-se do
We have received recently a discoui7e
livered BY Rev. GEO. B. SPALDING, formerly
of Vergennes, but now Of Hartford, Conn.,
winch subsequently appeared in the Boston
Recorder, and has since been printed IN PAM
phlet form. 1t contains some sound sense
and timely advice. We quote from 1t
The accepted maxim Of our political parties
from their very beginning has been, that al
questions Of a distinctively moral nature could
have no proper place in the issues between them
Politics, IS it has been defined by it, history IN
our country, has been that part Of human meas
uIes and theories, which has had to do with the
mere outward regulation Of the government,
With matters pertaining to the defence Of Its ex-
,stepce and rights against foreign control or
conquest, and TO the augmentation Of lis mater
ial STRENGTH and resources. The citizens OF our
land at the very first, drew of and separated
themselves into two great parties accordihg 10
the views which they en,ertAinei Of the nature
Of the general government and the extent OF Us
powers. And that prime question has been IN
the politics Of the country ever since, de.ermln-
ing the position oi the various parties which have
arisen, in respect 10 matters wholly material,
such as the tariff and internal improvements,
and a national bank, etc.
These were questions which carried IN them
10 element whatever Of moral power and persua-
sion. Under such issues the pocket Of a man
might be appealed 10, but bis conscience never.
And SO politics was, for well nigh three-quarters
Of century, mere WTsng,e for the advance
ment Of some party scheme or candidate. Nor
ais entered our polictIcs. through blood and sGi-
fering, through the carnage Of CORY battle-heli-,
over the graves Of the nations brayest and best
/ And once entered, will they again 90 outt X
bellion and slavery both dead and ser ulchered
| together, think you that the public conscience
| is 10 sleep again Certainly It has very recent
I " been heard in most unmistakable terms
NisLtier lar than the organization and discipline
/ Of party, the great moral sense has held the
/ people steaifast to the same old right. Al the
vast enginery Of the government itself Is batter
| Ing in vain against this impreguable citadel u q
| public conscience
Is this moral element thus row So granily
/ triumphant, ever again 10 leave our politics
I For Que cannot believe IL. Shrew1, uuprinci-
/ plel men, convinced Of the hope,es-n,ss O: fsh;-
ing down this new force, are advocating clm-
I plete surrender 20 il n once, ard would eveu
anticipate its demands and 0utstrip re friend:
I in their submission 20 them. Why Is they
themselves plainly admit. in order 10 a speedieI
settlement Of these "ab0min1b,e moral issues,
I that 20 parties msy at last cone lacS TO then
| old foundations They are partly right The
| politics Of these next few ycIrs are 10 be filed
and agitaied With moral instincts, engaged upon
/ great moral duties. rights ana regulations. They
are right in believing that it is sheerest folly 70
meet these new 70 ces IN tbs lev del1 They
are prudent in advocating a speedy settlement
| by al entire surrender. Their blindness and
| fOolishuess are m suppCsing that these matters
| beng once disposed Of, the Oh material issues
/ will be revived, the public cons silence lie out,
| and politics, as Of OLD, be only wretchet
I Wrau-lirg for power alt office. IL IS q miser-
| able mistake. Moral ideas do not s. lose them
| selves. They swing round 80 no such &c err
I Gle
/ Questions in respect % our foreign relations,
I and cur national finance, viii 10 course arise
/ but great ethical and moral inquiries respecting
/ the natural and the moral rights Ot the various
| classes in the community inquiries reaching
out % all their higher aud more e. ritual inter
/ ests questions too. Of wider national comfy.
10 longer based on a wrsica,d, slOTt-siglte
| seIt-.uteres., but involving the very prilcp.e'
| Of right and Justice themselves gu stious such
/ as these about which mems c0uscieuces as vel
as their reasons Will be busy, must sooner OIL
. later arise.
Politics i heucef.rth very specify to adjust
itself 90 that place which Burke long SGD as
signed It, mot as he sa.i, '',1 human ress-
0uIugs. but % human nat re, 90 vlish th= reis
on Is but part, and ty uo uslas t.e greatest
part
AMI let the young ueu 90 tdr e.uu-ry heed
this. Even one whose allH .-.al 10 IS % ride into
| political power AMI take 'ie el Fas VI oti,e, car
DO no more prudent thing than % ally himsel
az once with that party w-.ea carries the lars
est morality On Boz rlti ru As 3D.. rel with
political orglu.z.tiru W1..l SETS itself against
these moral questions aui h1iis i,-e.f exclusive
/ ly 20 maternal issuss, party which has the
least sciutilia Of justice in r. si. live AMI grow
until it shall triumph, ctrry.rs INTO Office Of
/ influence its sturiie-t aihereuts-