Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1870-01-12
PROGRESS AND L1BERTY,

In contemplating the advance ofthe
age matcrial improvements, IN the
discoveries Of science and Tho embcl
lishmcnts of art, we are too prone TO
forget that all these things do not
necessarily contribute TO the onchant
ment of human happiness. Properly
directed, the amclioration Of our phys
ical condition should lead to better
and pleasanter lives on Earth but
that such direction is not the inscpa.
rablo concomitant of improved pro.
cesses and fresh inventions, the sta.
tisiics of civilized communities very
sadly prove
What some people term the "spirit
of the age looks very much like the
spread OF sheer license, the rapid en-
franchisement Of the evil passions, and
the breaking down Of all law, human
and divine. Parental authority;
the scantity Of wedlock reciprocal
duty between man and man; rever
ence for age-in fine. all those exalted
sentiments which, hitherto, have been
the rule and pride OF governmental
wisdom, are becoming less and less
observed, and capricc, fashion, the will
and example Of the strongest and
most fortunate, are rapidly superceding
all the old time-honored ideas of the
past.
Dignitaries, in high places, minis
ters Of the gospel, the so called leaders
of society, now unblushingly and even
detiantly lend their aid and counte.
nance TO this work ofdisorganization,
and dishonesty, bloodshed, perjury,
the disruption of families and nations,
signalized by deDauchery and dishon-
esty Of all kinds, are the result. Dun
geors aud gibbets multiply, and the
hungry throng Of placemen, subsisting
by the miseries and crime Of their fel.
low-creatures, hourly spreads, like n
swarm of locusts, dcvouring and not
producing, over the whole land.
"By their fruits ye shall know
them" was the olden precept OF Di-
vine wisdom, distinguishing evil from
good influences.
Obeying that rule, what must we
perforce conclude, in reference TO the
present status of civilization in many
regions of The Globe Can this har-
vest Of bitterness be the product OF
pure seed? Or, are we troubled, be-
cause the enemy has been sowing
tares in our wheat-field over night p
Are we normally wrong in our system
of organization, or are we simply suf.
fering our negligence in tolerating SC
many blind guides and false prophets,
because they are loud and bold
At all events, VIC cannot maintain
the claim that this is a condition OF
things betokening true iibeHyand pro-
gress, which puts us back 10 the utter
lawlesness on the one hand, aud the
violent repression on the other, which
characterized barbarious epochs.
To US, We submit, real progress
means the nearer aud nearerappruach
to the recognition OF those principles
Of pTSeadl selfgovernment, which
eliminate in the Golden Rule, aud
real liberty will be ours only when
that rule shall have been universally
recognized.
What arc our leaders and teachers
then, doing to hasten this millenial pc
riod Are they preaching duty in
stead Of right alone on the principle
that the latter exists with the former
only, and springs from no Other
sourveY Or are they telling the un
tutored multitude that the indulgenc,
Of fancy and inclination are the only
laws.
If, in the hearing Of the young, th,
ignorant and the inexperienced, insti
tutions intend for the enlightmont o
Tho masses, daily, aud with saccess,iI
obtaining adherents, assail the fonn
datinns Of order, what have We to ex
pect but anarchy and disorder at last
Let our business men; our pastors
our fathers Of families; our honest
toiling classes, look TO il that fraud
corruption, domest ictrcaehcry, and il
nally, open insnrreciion aud reign o
terror and blood do not follow, TO en-,
in absolute anarchy, Tor which Their
will remain no other remedy than
despotism that will crush, not onll
progress and liberty, but exlinguisl
r public and private happiness.
The signs Of the honr indicate tha
no time is to be lost in arousing 4
settlement Of this porientous problem
Hannibal is at the gates Let goo
and true men grid up their loins to q
forth and repel him, once for all.-A
j. Mercantile Journal I