Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-10-24
nEsocIoLoeIsr as a cEssoR.

THE sOCIOLOGIsT AS CENSOR.
Novelist, naturalist, sportsmen, histori-
ans, diLLetaate and othep have, for Years,
given their opinions, from their Enropean
point Of view, of America, its people and IFS
prospects. These opinions have been good,
bad and Indifferent, but have generally pro-
duced little effect upon ourselves. Curious
to say, the opinion that was most earnestly
objected 10 by US was one that probably
produced more effect upon US than any other.
When Dickens with his good-natured badi-
mage laughed at some of our follies and held
up 10 view some of our absurdities, we turned
red in the face with the crossnees OF Petted
child, and declared We were ever 90 good,
and ever SO badly used, and Dickens was
ever so mean and naughty and ungrateful; ;
but in the end we laid aside not few OF the
habits and Absurdilies that we were obliged
to recognize when our pet was over. AT
present it is our advantage TO have "a chlel
auaDg US takin' notes" whose deep and
thorough acquaintance with the science
of sociology, whose knowledge OF men
and -the influences that dominate them
h as never been equafed. AS Photographic
contemplating with observant eye and re-
Elective mind our faults, our follies and our
virtues, what Herbert Spencer may say
about it is entitled to our serious considers
ton, for 1t is privilege to have the opinion
Of 4 man above all others competent to give
one, who will utter no word in unkiEdness,
nor allow prejudice to bias his expressions.
Now what does this grave, earnest, reflective
imam say Of Us? He says the American peo-
pie have an undue love of personalities.
There are among them immense develop
ments of material civilization. These bene-
fits arise greatly from natures bestowal and
from appropriation from others, and not al
together from free institutions. Americans
possess great determination and power OF
work and inventiveness. In respect TO me-
chsnical appliances the Americans are ahead
of all nations, but want a higher kind OF
progress. There may be commercial activity
and development of the arts while freedom is
gradually ebbing away. The forms of free
dem are retained, bu: regiments armed with
voting papers command and are obeyec.
There ia power behind the voter. The
political machinery is unlike the early pro-
visions for conserving freedom, the sovereign
people is becoming the puppet OF the wire
pullers. America shows that paper constitu-
lions will not work as intended, for constitu-
tions are not made, they grow. Education
merely will not correct this; existing victs
have grown while education was dispensed.
Net lack of knowledge, but of moral senG--
ment is a. the loot of the evil. Americans
are not sufficiently quick to resent ipjustics;
easy. going readiness, which submits to tres
passes, in the end, from habit, acquiesces in
wrong. The individuality of others is not
sufficiently respected; private property is
damaged by railways without justice. The
republican ia the highest form OF govern
ment, but the American has not grown up
10 it. Mr.. Spencer is at loss to foreste
cur future. The problem is too
vast. The spread of a community on so
immense a track is a new thing; there will
be grave troubles, as all nations have had.
II Is remarkable fact that men from every
and language come here and
are absorbed-become Americans. The re-
suit of such a mixture must be race pos
sensing peculiar qualities, capable of modi-
icatiou, and that may reasonably look for
: grander civilization than the world has
known. We throw this "list of contents" OF
Mr.. Spencer's remarks together that, lying
bare of accompanying remarks, the reader
may see exactly what profund philosopher
says of us. His appreciation of what he
finds excellent is gratifying, while the sure
ness with which he has detected some OF
our weaknesses is undeniable. Why do we
submit 10 what we know TO be wrongs so
readily and patiently? For Eve years ele-
waited railroads have darkened stores and
obstructed streets; yet only last week was
the law made operate against the injustice,
and people who allow injustice at all will
in time allow injustice in the form that
permits arbitrariness and submits 10
tyranny. Perhaps to greater ex-
patient bearing of wrong is result OF
power conscious of its strength, but gentle
in the use of it; but, none the less, night
should always be insisted upon, and wrong
everywhere and at all times resisted with a
frmness that requires no display OF temper
and that admits of no opposition. In refer
snoe 10 the criticisms of the great philoso-
pher, the New York Tribune remarks: 80
grave and just is his manner, so sywpAthetics
is his tone, that Americans have no reason
10 be offended by srght he says. They ought
rather to thank him for warning them against
grave political tendencies" The uuderdone
the Tribune adds, is he who dis
parages everything about bis own govern
ment and people; an overdone one is he who
can see no fault in our politics, morsls, or
social practices. The sensible American
appreciates wha. is good, without closing his
syes to what's faulty. He knows that dan
gers exist; that the very freedom we enjoy is
sometimes made the means Of wrong
ioiug; that instrumeutalities Of an OBJ
ectionable character sometimes step in
between The people and the expression
II their will. Ii Mr.. Spencer has told
wholesome truths, let Us profit by what his
kill and his foresight have discovered. Mr..
Spencer is bets nOir to the clergy, but it is
a significant thing that he points out that
where we fall below the Just line that free
dom requires, it is not for want of knowl
edge, but Of moral character. This point
more than any other deserves attention,
attention and appeal to the indi-
yidual conscience. We have education
enough to MAKE us aware of the wrongs that
mopepoIy bribery, s as tFi05ssjss ifgIB5
berry inflIct, have we the conscientiousuess
and the inst hatred Of wrong 10 denounce,
and oppose, and lxterminate it? While, in