New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-12-25

a. assembled $500
at the house Of the Rev. John T. Sargent ON the Oth inst
Tho pov David A WATSON the successor Of Theodore
Parker In the pastorae Of the Twentyeghth COngrega
toual Society read an able political essay, ana te as
cussion that followed participated IN III SUNNI"
desultory way by several OF the leaders OF rauicai
thought. There notable company present. mo
orlry of whom are walks Of literature ana
IN public life IL would not be oyerstatemeht 10 say
that at no other time and place in the land are there 50
many OF the progressive thinkers gathered IN shgle
room as at the meetings Of this Club
The subject of the essay was, Thou Shalt OF io 0o
ence OF Authority chapter from work on the iuhc
tons OF government which the author has had tor soe
time In preparation.
THE ORIGINAL SANCTION OF Authority
The following is an abstract Of the essay; SCIENCE
does not sarIze history than 1t does physical ma
ure In either case it assumes in the observed iact
however remote In time grotesque In appearance"
significance to be found In harmony with al eAis'ns
truth In respect to organic TRUTH Goethe d'neu 'o
truth now generally acknowledged that one anu 'ho
same type governs growth through all hs s'aso'
and transformations Wo await the Goelhe VI
the Lyell who shall apply this law OF UNIFORM
ity to history sustaining the identity OF principles
in ALI the ages of civilization. An Apprehension
OF this fact Is fast spreadngnature instructng US no"
TO study civilization with all the ideas, Institutions Gus
toms and formative processes that belong either 10 It's
history or to It's present state and historical critc
once animated and disciplined by the scientific spirit
steadily becoming graver more appreclative' more uS
posed to assume as guiding cew the identity OF type
and uniformity of ideal force in all that upbuildns Oh
humanity all that organic vylncation, structure ana
growth which modern speech is accustomed to designate
by the term civilization.
THE INSTRUCTIVE RECOGNITION OF A HIGHER LAW.
IL Is incontesable that recognizes somewhat as
sovereign over his will soon as he mas any sentiment
Of tbe kid which distinguishes human nature. BY the
4 ~.
from above 1t Is precisely TINS notion Of their origin
that gives them authority and engages obedience Pri
tive sentiment knows nothing ofawmakers, but only OF
law giyers It Is obvious that Moses in saying Thou
shalt not kill" sought not to impose MS lhdl-
vdua will upon Others while he as little pro-
fessed or was understood to be, the mere
reporter OF their Wills He accepted as an lntor'
prefer Homer's TheDstes signify the same. May IL not
be that in their instructive reference Of aauhorty 10
ground above any will or inclination whatsoever also
1nd an old friend though one that awaits our recogn
ton Principles are sovereign are so but az the
media or opponents OF principles The laws OF SOCIAL
welfare date from the foundation Of the world ana are
rs interchangeable It's constitution Men may discover,
acknowledge apply them but are as incapable OF
making them as The eye OF making what 1t sees Ihese
laws every man is by the fact Of his existence as
human being bound to obey while any obedience en-
forced upon him otherwise than in enforcement Of their
claim is injurious and odOus. Political Thought that does
not begin here and thence proceed all political func'
lions, Is ipse fdefo dscredtcd.
AUTHORITY NOT PERSONAL BUT IDEAL
But beginning here we are led unqualified reiec-
ton OF all personal authority whether OF one OF OF
many Of king people. To this intent Government is
organized not 20 render dominant over others be IL
the few over tho mauy or the many the few but 10
make reason dominant over all The State exists 1t has
been thousand said of late to express the VIII OF
the people as supreme The State exists In TRUTH 10 e1
press the loyal submission Of all wills whatsoeyer to the
laws OF social welfare by the best lights OF reason de-
termined-to express allegiance we all naturally owe
4 sovereign human will-let us have done with that
Authority ia vicious lacks the genius OF authority In
the degree that its ground is any mere VIII, however
compounded compound indiscrlminate personal
domination on the mildest scale, ia Democracy; the
sovereignty the laws OF welfare represented by qua
fed agents whose sole title to that function is found III
their transluceny TO authoritative principles Repuo
ucanism The latter Is the ideal aim OF the modern
world; but unhappy, in passing over the crust OF
period of transition 1t slupped into the former Our
chief question therefore should be- not ho It is, but
rhat It is In which authority resides This may seem an
abstract way contemplating the matter but 1t Is not
more abstract than and common sense must BE-
WHAT Is OBLIGATION
The speaker proceeded to define political obligation as
haynR two factors independent OF any mans WILL The
first found necessary condions-necessary either
absolute relative, including necessary laws OF conse
guence and the like. These make certain conduct mat
| ter OF moral necessity. For this necessity human au
hority stand representing the imperative requis
ton OF tile facts An enforced mandate is a crime
against II IL be not mandatory form OF the TRUTH
having deeper ground than mere voltion. Public duty
ca as little be wihed into existence the force OF
sylogsn The facts thus and therefore duty IS
thus and So rational inference, considerate Judg-
ment meGates between the facts and the duty. Gov
erunent then Of getting the coDsderate Judg-
ment where It Is wanted. that the facts may speak
through it and aerward be rendered obligatory in force
"a In right.
Now II Is obvious that Just force be represented by
the considerate and judiciOus mind, only polished
surface the purpose Of mirror Only such
mind therefore, capable OF political act In the proper
sense OF the There Is much In every demand ana
an obvious preponderance In some OF force that Is good
while 1t Is kept under and internal when 1t is not kept
under We are beasts every one OF us, and none
the worse for that long brute part does not at
tempt the role OF awgyer but when the beast In the in
diydua or society proceeds egsate, Satans statute
book receives the record hcarmuch of each mans SUI
peror knowledge OF his interest," and OF this supposed
or pretended fact as tho from which the theory Of
government should be derived. Well the prisoner at the
bar ia above all interested in the event Of his trial Does
his interest call him TO the place Of Judgments
IL excludes him. DO say the will
OF the people is sovereign and has right to ac-
quit or condemn at peasurei That we're barbarous or
below barbarsm. What is 20 decided The special
facts OF the placed In proper relation to those gene
raj facts and truths which all ought TO regard sub
missvey What can reflect these accurately Conside
rate and Judicial mind.
Political obligation also presupposes purpose which Is
OF such nature that all under obligation to
recognize It, The ideal ends OF lfe Of which those OF
government form q part have claim 20 regard which is
simply indefeasibe Good alone is regal all the lines OF
Just authority derive from and lead 10 t. We are I'M
der natural obligation to seek welfare. TO accept the
condition Of IT, to adjust the conduct to the laws OF It,
But WHAT Is wELFAREi
TINT hanninesa Ia tina true NJ