The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1873-03-22

Els. Free YiuGer;-Let Us take a survey OF
what has been and what probably will be the
course OF human advancement. Those who
conceive that the world cannot he reformed
until all are convinced Of error by the voice
Of reason, neglect 10 consider that the mass
are not moved by reason in the course WI! ch
they now plrsue. They are but followers
and humble imitators OF the higher Etellects,
even when they profess to reason, and as soon
as those higher intellects are convinced of
the necessity and practcability of introduc.
Ing better state Of things, their course of ac-
ton will be changed by the force of convic.
. ton, and the great mass of mankind will fol-
! fol IN the new track rs they do at present in
the old.
Besides this, as habit and custom rule the
civilized world with a steady hand, the re.
former must perceive that, if he would intro
duce any improvements which shall be per.
manent, he must labor TO establish new Gus.
toms and habits; for, however clear and con.
vincing may be his political reasonings, they
will produce but transitory effect, unless he
can sustain the reasoning effort until he giycs
a new direction to the customs and habits Of
the people
Here, then, is one of our weak spots In
awarding appreciation to any single act or
general line of conduct circumspection is
eminently ncediul. We should be well as
sured that the act or line of conduct of which
we approve is calculated to augment the sum
OF human happiness, Misplaced approba-
ton is, in fact weakening the cause of virtue
and strengthening that Of vice 1t is putting
the weight in the wrong scale. 1t is of great
Importance that the appreciation should be
equal to the intrinsic value of the act.
Too much respect is apt to generate un-
secmly pride, while too little produces indif
ference and debasement of mind Respect
awarded in the wrong place gives wrong
direction to the course of human action,
while too much or too little given to particu
lar acts stimulates or retards too much or too
little in like degree. While such standards
continue TO be maintained, and such flattery
held out for the stimulation of youth, there
he little wonder that vice and misery curse
the land. AS we SOW, so shall we reap"
Let respect and honor be the reward of hu. |
manity and virtue Let de graduation fall I'D
on the head of inhumanity and vice, and the
moral and political world will assume diff. |
terent aspect, In the present state of things
these powerful moral forces are most 11,rtse-
y directed. The honest plowman, whose la
Dor furnishes food for his species, is held in
ow esteem. So long as splendid wickedness
S rewarded by the honor and respect of men,
while lowly virtue suffers neglect and con-
empt, vice UW flourish, and virtue piN wither
md decay In the face of the present times,
when we find that the individuals who teach
he dogmas by which these forces are sus-
aimed are the worst tools of Tyranny and
the firm supporters of dominions,
and powers by which the lowly !
yirtuOuS are cheated of that modicum of en-
oyment which of right ought to fall to them
n this life, it is not surprising that some
pirits should arise, who, sympathizng with
he sufterings of the many for the exclusive
'eneft of the few, should lay hold of the pill
airs which sustain the temple of Dragon and,
'ending themselves with their whole strength,
hould endeavor to drag the editicc to the n
arth, even at the risk of being buried in the \
uins, like Sampson of old. O
For the truth yours,
ROBERT MCCONNELL.
Norway, La Sale Co., H.. March 18th. r.