The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1875-12-04
THE DEMANDS OF THE HOUR.

Gins anxious not to go tout, the "outs :"
anxious to get Gin" Official positions made
the stepping stones of inordinate ambition
Self abnegation a forgotten virtue. Every
consideration of good morals made to bend
to the universal eagerness for wealth. Men
everywhere inclined to consider the deca-
logue as an obsolete relic of past ages, and
the golden rule " a sentence to be framed
and laid away. These are the crying
evils of public and social life, and furnish
ample food for serious and deliberate retlec-
ton. How to remedy or correct them is the
weighty problem pressing on for solution.
We do not pretend to be able to solve it, and
it would be work of supererogation to
attempt thorough discussion of the sub
,iect within the limits of a newspaper arti-
Gle. But the few thoughts which we desire
to submit may awaken some to a realiza-
ton of the gravity of the situation, and a
proper appreciation of its perplexity and
Importance.
The continued progress of society de-
ponds, in a great measure, upon the virtue
of its foundation principles and the rela-
tive merit OF its constituent parts. That
progress is endangered when those princi-
pies come to be held in low estimation, and
when that merit degenerates into a mere
apology for excellence. We look about us,
and we find that on every hand such endan-
germent is apparent. In addition to the
evils already enumerated, we behold old
landmarks being obliterated by flood tide
of dangerous dogmas. New schools of sci
ence and philosophy rearing upon the ruins
ofaccredited teuets superstructureso of doubt
and infidelity, and infusing into every artery
OF life the subtle poison of false doctrine.
Labor dissatisfied, and, by combinations of
workingmen. supporting and disseminating
theories fraught with as much danger to
free institutions as the Red Republicanism
of Paris. New isnss beyond number, spring
ing into existence and forming the nuclei
of organizations whence will arise other
and more serious problems. Spiritualism,
and materialism, and Darwinism compiling
new vocabularies, and wsging incessant bat
tie against the established order of things.
The hour demands correctives. "Ad-
vanced thought must be met with all the
weapons of truth, and the radical tenden-
cies OF the times opposed by that wide
awake conservatism which, while it pre-
serves, supports all efforts of legitimate
progress.
In public life there is need of more of
intellect less of presumption, more of pur-
So
must descend to its rightful level and the
public veal find its most earnest promoters
in the independence of talent, and in more
comprehensive craftsmanship. Individual
merit and qualifications must be made the
tests for official positions, and the place
seekers, who, without ability or principle,
look only to the plumber, must be retired
to their proper domain. The grandeur and
show which rivals that of the crowned heads
must be laid aside and a return had to the
severe simplicity of our fathers. The gew-
gaws and trappings with which public Off
GERS decorate themselves on special occa-
sions are not sufficient to inspire respect
or lend dignity, when it is known that those
officials roll in the dust among their neigh
bors. Tinsel and airy baubles can not form
the glory of state. If there are any brain
let us see what they can do.
We do not wish to be considered as
looking for the attainment of the impossi-
BILE, nor for the establishment of that con-
dition of affairs which never can be other
than ideal. The republic of Plato is i'm
nrortioahla if moi undesirable oh
ISL no Utopian theories, and have no faith
in the Elysian pictures Of Imagination; yet
we see in all this nothing to forbid us enter
tanning the desire for the prevalence and
control of those plain virtues-honesty and
trutll-with which men once were familiar.
Some of the aforegoing remarks are as
applicable to private as to public life. But
there are evils pertaining to private life
which are peculiarly its own. The segre-
cation of individuals, in society as at pres
ent constituted is natural, and perhaps, not
Objectionable. Genius and culture, and for
tune will, of necessity, have their separate
and exclusive circles. The accidents of
birth and Inherited wealth place different
persons in different spheres, and give them
the opportunity to indulge pride, CT i'm
press the prudence of silence, according to
the sphere in which they may thus move
Against all this we desire to say not one
word, but what we do object to, most earn
estly and seriously, is the formation OF cir
Gles of cynics and of critics which, peep
ing from behind partly drawn curtains, see
nOthiDu n in hn actco Of bo;, E,1
bowman, and discuss reputation, regard
less OF truth These, and the everlasting
pfating about family lineage, are the dead
weights Of society. "The boast of her
aldry" is, in ITSELF utterly insignificant
when it comes TO contend with plebeian
talent. The aristocratic haughtiness Of Sir
Leicester Dedlock was no match for the
rugged earnestness of the iron master, and,
to come nearer home, the crushing cold
ness and lofty bearing Of the Hon. John
Lee Carroll would have been in a most mis-
cradle plight had it been compelled to re-
ceive the sledge- hammer blows of the rail
splitter, the tailor or the cobbler.
The length to which this article has |
already extended compels US to leave our
readers to apply the conclusions that flow
from the ideas which we have thus cursor
lily presented. When the spirit of gossip |
is trampled under foot, the pride of caste |
rightly estimated, proper valuation put
upon integrity, purity and ability, and a
spirit breathing broader and more ele-
waited patriotism finds ledgment in the |
breasts, not only of men in public but also |
of those who tread the calmer paths of life, |
the demands Of the hour will be sufficiently |
met.
e3- Congress meets on Monday next. 1t
will be remarkable body in one respect at
least-it will be majority representing a
minority; the tidal wave that bore a major
ity of the members into their present posi-
ton having gone back with a sweep the
other way. The Democratic caucus to