The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1872-05-16

% prolific In lis production Of merit A.
wei as Just in IS recognition Of worth o.
that OF the early days Of American society,
The standard OF appreciation then, we arc
not at less to perceive, consisted in pos
tive Rnd persistent characteristics In
deed to be the subject tor popular favor
the essentials were moral uprightness and
intellectual independence. Such meadow
land was the heart Of the nation. The
great, because great and their greatness
being known, etranced the national as.
pirations so that in It's infancy the popular
character acquired the respectability Of
mature manhood. Those names repose in
history and rise in the memory, and we
know that around them rallied the un-
spoken multitudes- fathers who
were the rock that dashed back the waves
Of the English sea and the rock on which
our institutions were based.
That day passed The shifting current
turned it's force upon the supporting but
exposed banks. We cannot divine what
caprice directed lis course; but the water
course has changed its bed. The two
qualities, moral uprightuess and intellec-
tual independence, are nearly the oppo-
sites Of those traits now held in high APP
proval Let man stand up in his place
4 ike mountain, what if his imperial
head summons the mists of thought and
the spirit Of enterprise TO form around
him in clouds of precious rain to break In
showers TO refresh many soul, yet he Is
regarded, more often than otherwise, but
an obstruction TO this flowing and dane
| ing age. Grand characters, true to God
and true TO man, have not ceased to exist,
but very few of them have been for years
in public stations. The channel of the
popular sentiment has changed. Another
standard of appreciation has been erected.
We want to-day keenness and suayity az
/ individual characteristics. The demand
/ is so imperiously made that those who
possess them not are beyond the pale OF
public favor. 1t must be in to-days
preacher, in to-day's lawyer, in to-day's
physician, in to-days publisher, and above
all in that place where the sentiment can
manifest itself fully, in to-day's politician.
He who holds the offices must be keen and
he must be smooth. He does, indeed,
often turn out--a dirk
The consequence of such drift of SEN
timent is before our eyes. The forming
sand-bar arises over against the meadow
of former times. The growth Of the net.
tie, and the wild vine, and the willow is
prodigious, The observer, looking on the
prospect exclaims, Men are not born to-
day. The issue Of the age Is aoilloaos and
aettles and cOrmoraat zines. 1t is said
that the people are cheated of their rights,
while their prospective privileges are
sold: that the cities are largely con-
trolled by rings and the states by corpora.
tions. While the towns, are not an inch
behind in the general course of reckless
ness, but the partizan cliques are outma-
neuvering themselves even and riding
with lash and spur the jaded public.
Some may feel that this description is
overdrawn, but he will not think so who
has intelligently read our leading jour.
nails for the last year; he will not think
SO who has been brought in connection
with the manipulations of political
schemers. We are politically where the
lsraelites were. What difference is there
whether the Philistines that hold largely
our land are from our own midst or from
beyond our borderH We have as a people
worshipped the gods of the Philistines,
Ashtaroth and Dagon arise in our homes,
In our groves and In our political conyo-
cations. This false sentiment which has
erected pernicious standard of character
is the very inspiration which our gods
have breathed in the popular spirit. The
New York condition OF things is but a
warning, for there the realization of that
era which this sentiment would inaugu-
rate is illustrated and forecasted That
city has been as much a deyotee 10 the
False and Fearful as ever Ephesus was to
Diana, or Corinth TO Venus. There is
/ now, indeed, the indication Of a renewal
Of the public conscience. II has begun in
New York. The people have learned that
~"anioipal safety Is alone assured when
4. 'ries ordained Of old by God for
tho 7rinclr Nnman aGairs are re-
the regula., ion OF q. re they must
spected. Like he Israeht, TO
iel We God only, and a municipah,
,bey |. ne moral and material requirements /
instituted by God for the life Of nation /
8 to serve lin. 1t remains now that tbis
Of the public conscience shall
continue until It shall make every city and
own weary Of the Philistines yoke. and
ben for the voice Of another Samuel 10
'all to fast and prayer, where a ma.
ion in solemn ayowal Shall signify its re-
urn Of fealty TO the only true and living
iod. Then win appear, first in mighty
oncourse our great nation, the latest
orn but Oldest and wisest 10 time, lead
lg The stately march when the Kingdoms
( this world shall become tie Kingdoms '
our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ a
- +.
On Monday evening, Mrs. Amelia
'rooks, aged ffty-one years, died at her !,
ssidenee, in the alley bounded by Twen. :,
Twenty-third, Wash Streets
nd Franklin Avenue. Mrs. Brooks.
hose frame was but little more than :
Iedium sized, had accumulated flesh un- :
she weighed between 900 and 1000 !,
ounds Until very recently she had "