The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1879-10-01
oURpoLIrIcAL CIVILIZATION.

There IL n wide difference between politi-
cal and civil life. The one refers to govern
ments, to men in their National organiza.
tons, and the other to their social and
domestic life. Moral order Is essential 10
both, us an element OF power MS well rs an
evidence OF civilization. What Is termed the
State refers TO the organic character OF the
body polite, and that which rules society
in its social order is constituted by the
animus OF the people In their domestic and
fraternal life.
Our Government being Republican In
form and profession, makes personal free
dom essential TO oil our people, ms q matter
OF right as well ~ of National consistency.
Hence, the claim to the largest liberty
among all classes, and the right to act accord.
ing to personal privileges restrained only by
the laws OF the land. N
In such Government the temptation TO
extravaganoe and RIGHTEOUSNESS becomes
moral evil and the danger Is always immi.
nent that excuses or reckiessness will fire.
quently OCCUR, aad Generalization, OF the
most irredeemable character, will, sooner or
later. work the destruction OF society Of
every class and order.
In the earlier years OF the Republic. when
the people we're generally poor and but very
moderately educated, there was simplicity
| In their manners and sterling integrity In
their constitutional spirit which honored
their patriotism and gave great preotige TO
their primitive picty. Men In those days
wore the habiliments OF plain, unsophisti-
Gated honesty and modesty, aud domestic
life with them was generally constant
obligation Of humble home privileges. Ma
ture was the god OF order with them, and
sincerity distinguished their common inter
course.
| Among such a people an INSCRIPTIONS
regard for honesty, truth aud humanity was
everywhere looked for. and a corresponding
devotion to public obligations made law and
! order OF society universally respected.
Confidence was then had In public men,
for the good reason that they were honored
and distinguished for the highest integrity.
Washington would not lie, jefferson would
not steal, Madison would not play the dem.
agogue. and the statesmen OF that day. and
age, with but few EXCEPTIONS. we're OF the
soundest probity. They were not hungry "a
grow rich, and they valued q good name
above rubios
In common life virtue aud humility
rather than ambition and pride, were com
mon attributes, and the genius OF higt
moral freedom reigned among them In
almost undisputable authority and general
happiness was reslizsd in every part OF tn,
country. That u sad and regretful chang,
has come over the spirit OF our National and
social life all will admit who have studied
the animus OF the times. Men hav,
changed, and the standard of our politica
and social status has been lowered to
lamentable extent. .
because our politicians, in large numbers
are not men OF truth or honesty. Tot
many OF them aim to carry their selfsl
aspirations by falshood and deceit. Man,
gain their points by cliques, organized b.
themselves IN their own interest. and wher
they get into Office and power they car
} nothing for the people; nothing for thei
} caths Of Office, and consequently they ar
} not true to the people as public servants
They spend their money to get Office an
then steal it land more too) back again ate
they get In.
Men Of even the highest pretension
come out of their offices miserable default
J ers and moral bankrupts OF the lowest an
) basest character, and, what is worse than all
their party defends them, and by mil