The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1873-07-10
Written for the Standard.l
General Progression of Our Nation.
BY WINFIELD SCOTT.

In mortality as well as Immortality,
there is only momentary equilibrium Or
rest. Unceasing progression is one of
the unalterable laws of creation Man is
to augment his capabilities for doing good
on earth, and continue his work in
Heaven. Activity is not to end in Heaven,
but there, an eternity of untiring action
is before us, and the universe of thought
is our field. The knowledge gained in
mortality is to be the stepping stone to
higher knowledge in Immortality Says
a modern writer; "There will come a
time when the coldest will have. over
taken all the fire of tie present Paul,
the least loving all the ardent love of the
present John; when the stammerer will
sing a sweeter strain than is now heard
from the sweetest singer beneath the
throne; when the feeblest intellect will
have stretched beyond the capacities of
the greatest actual intellect; and when
the lowest saint will be exalted high as
the highest now is in the kingdom of
heaven" In this probationary sphere,
we fit ourselves for eternal growth in
glory or everlasting growth in perdition.
An individual goes-up or down, according
to the manner in which he lives; SO it is
with the people that compose the State
and United States. The steps in our
government have been, first independ-
enoe, then middle age in which the
national power was frequently transferred
from one political faction to another,
and thus eurbing corruption; and now,
we have reached the epoch of onward
approximation to perfective nationality.
The improvement made in the arts, sci
ences, enlightenment and general knowl-
edge of our nation, has been wonderfully
repaid during the last half century.
There has also been great revolutions
and notifications of political systems.
From 1852 to 1860, this government was
cratic party; but not without material
and moral growth. All past experience
teaches that in repu5licanism, it is not
expedient nor wise to keep any party in
power too long For as change of soil
increases the growth and accelerates the
bearing of young tree, so a change of
the rulers of our land is sometimes nee
essary to its growth and fruitfulness.
The Democrats were tolerating the
public sin of slavery; and the people did
not feel like endorsing it, and thereby
become liable for the whole evil; because
he who indorses public guilt becomes re-
sponsible for the whole vote. And as
there is no standing still, and no going
down without falling, it behooved the
people to make change, an onward
movement So they bade the old Demo-
cratic party friendly adieu, and joined
the Republican ranks who had in their
platform the principles of liberty. and,
who were ready to give the oppressed
freedom. When a nation once makes an
upward step, it must take another or
fall Slavery is abolished. The Republi-
can party has accomplished . great work,
and deserves commendation. 10 But its
mission is completed. Our government,
"the best on earth" and our land, "the
| most glorious that the sun ever shone
upon" tolerates the evil perpetrated by
one hundred thousand debauching, and
demoralizing dram-shops which make
perfect pandemoniums of happy homes
Our lives are continually endangered
We are exposed TO drunken rowdies en-
ragged by the legaRsed poison. Further
more, our substance is taken away from
us to sustain the paupers made destitute
by rum, and to keep up our courts and
prisons, while furnishing drunken crimi-
nails We are defrauded. Is there not
time for acquiescence, that the Congress
Composed of members from both the old
and once useful parties) may be permit
ted to fill their pockets from the public