Year: 1861

The Crisis.


From the elimination of inharmonious
ideas by which this nation has been bro't
into its present condition, some have drawn
the preposterous inference that there is an
irrepressible conflict going on between the
local institutions Of different parts of this
country. We do not so understand it,
The notion generally entertained is based
upon the transparent fallacy that men diff.
frently constituted and affected by entirely
dissimilar surroundings can be made to see,
think, and act alike, and that all can be
brought to the dead level Of Uniformity
This is q common mistake Of all superficial
thinkers, and the perpetual misfortune Of
fanatics. Such people are as honest as the
day is long; but they are forever at war
with the ordinations Of an uncrring Provi.
dence. There is not, and it is not desirable
that thore should be, anything like uni
formity in looks, actions, or conditions Of
mankind. Paine, grieveus hereto, though
shrewd observer and powerful rcasoner,
hit the nail on the head when he said that
he could not refrain from smiling at the con-
ceit of what drab-colored creation this
would have been, if the great Creator had
been Quaker. We are in similar condi-
ton when we imagine what q curious world
we should have, if all mankind should ever
happen to become converts to one creed,
and be Of one opinion as to their social ar
rangements and institutions.


1t is exceedingly curious, and really wor-
thy Of being remembered, that the world
has managed to get along, for 10 these
many years, with quite variety Of opin-
ions on all sorts of subjects. 1t may be
that the Time has come for changing the
programme Of infinite Wisdom, but we con.
fess to some serious and troublesome doubts
on the practicability of bringing about so
great change, just at this time.


Some simple minded people, composed of
the class to which we belong, have been la
boring under the delusion that our govern
ment is based upon the principle Of ToLER-
ArloN-the idea that all have the right to
worship God in their own way, and to
mould their institutions to suit themselves.
These institutions and modes of worship
may be as dissilnilar as light and darkness,
but still there may be room enough for
them all. And as we have contrived to get
along comfortably and prosperously for the
best part of q century, under our most lib
eral form of government, we need not deS.
pair of being able to stagger along in the
same way for century to come.


The evil, therefore, Of which people COM
plain so vehemently, is not so much an ir.
rrpressible conflict between dissimilar or
antagonistic principles and institutions, as
it is the notion that any such conflict is Of
so great importance as to rend asuuder the
members of this great confederacy, and put
the inhabitants of different sections of the
country by the ears about the difference be-
tween tweedle dunn and tweedle dee. Our
unfortunate propensity to meddle with the
affairs of other folks, to the neglect Of our
own. has caused great deal Of unnecessa-
ry difficulty. We have been good deal
annoyed by the opportunities Of brawling
demagogues and turbulent fanatics but,
unless the Millennium has come upon us
unawares, we trust that our nation will be
saved from the curse Of disintergration,
even while several irrepressible conflicts are
going on between those who differ from
each other in their honestly cherished opin.
ions.-St. Ansgar (lo,on) Journal.