On this page

• Text (1)

  Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.

  • 

    Untitled Article

• Transcript

  • Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.

    Additionally, when viewing full transcripts, extracted text may not be in the same order as the original document.

    Untitled Article

    of and ktttd to his meu , adoptiag every precaution to serve and save his soldiers . " I deny it not as to individual instances , but 1 say that his conduct was marked throughout with what Dr . Channing justly calls " a mournful obtmeness of moral feeling in regard to the crimes of military and political life / ' No doubt he did not intend in this instance to drive

    his soldiers to destruction and insanity ; but he was willing to run any risk rather than submit his will to the wiser advice of those around him : to the love of fame he sacrificed all the better principles of his being * . his first wish was to dazzle and astonish the world , and for a time he succeeded ; but the wise and good look beyond success and great military

    achievement , and inquire for the political or national improvement which has been effected . And here Napoleon fails \ here , in the judgment of one singlehearted and virtuous nrnul , the gaining of a thousand battles avails him not ; he appears as he really is , an unprincipled and selfish tyrant , and all his talents will not redeem him from this impartial

    opinion of posterity . Dr . Channrag has done a lasting service to the world by disrobing him of that false glory which the splendour of his military actions had cast around him , and holdiug him up to view not merely as a conqueror , but as a mau—a man weak ., impetuous , and prejudiced , subject to no moral or religious restrictions , and devastating the world at

    his own pleasure * by the folly of his fan * - cies and the madness of his passions . Nor is this the only benefit Dr . Channing has conferred : by the inculcation of pure and noble principles , of an elevated standard of civil and religious liberty , he has taught the nature of real glory , and he has slengthened the cause of truth and virtue in the hearts and consciences of thousands of his fellow-creatures He

    has done this also in a spirit worthy of the Saviour he follows , a spirit which mourns over every evil practice , and rejoices in whatsoever things are just , whatsoever things are lovely or of good report 4 and yet the following is the manner in which he is spoken of in the paper I am noticing : alluding to his remarks on Napoleon , its author say a ,

    " Our regard for truth , an 4 even for Dr . Charming , make * na deeply regret that he should have written and given it publicity ; his friends < aad admirers may applaud it for , its , eloquence , but we must condemn it on account of its misrepresentations ; and farther add , that eloquence can only be lovely when it supports the cause of truth and justice j if

    Untitled Article

    it be employed in the propagation , of error , it is uo longer the glorious sun which cheers , warms * au , d vivifies us by its rays , hut the horrid glare of a frightful meteor passing wildly over the « arth , producing little besides disgust and terror , and suddenly leaving all in darkness aud solitary gloom . "

    In answer to thia , we may justly observe , that if Christianity be true , which we hope our opponent does not mean to dispute , ( though the opinions he advances are no proof of his belief in it , ) then are Dr . Chanmng ' s views sound and safely founded ; for they are in complete accordance with the benevolent and merciful spirit of its Author ; if Christianity

    be true , be has supported the cause of truth and justice in a most eloquent and impressive manner ; if , on the contrary , Christianity is to be considered not as a rule of li / ey but only as a beautiful but impracticable theory , and war , and tyranny , and even murder t are to be excused and justified by policy > and necessity , and expediency , and the glory and splendour

    with which they invest a man in the eyes of the vulgar , our argument is at an end : human virtue is hut a dream , and success is the grand test by which we are to judge of human actions ; indeed * our author seems to be pretty much of this opinion . Speaking of Washington , be -says , " Had Washington failed , and he was more thau once on the very point of failing , his memory would havg been held in execration ; " ( we presume he

    means by judges as wise as himself ;) " be fortunately succeeded , aud has , therefore , been hailed as the father of his country . " We beg leave to observe , that whether Washington had succeeded or failed , by every good man his memory would have been held in reverence and honour , by every man who looks to realities and not appearances , who acts on principle and not on expediency . So far from such an issue diaiinishiug bis glory , in . the judgment of such a person , it would have increased this admiration to see him still

    stemming the tide of tyranny and evil in the prospect of personal and national ruin . Are the names of Sir T , More , q { Hamptfen , Sidney ,, and BusseU , held in veneration ? Washington did not found bis claim to the admiration of posterity upon his military talents , in which Bu 6-

    naparte probably excelled him . It was the wise and moderate use of success , and not the success itself , which conferred such immortal glory cm Washington ; it was the single-heartedness which sought no selfish aggrandizement , the integrity which power con Id Dot seduce ,

    Untitled Article

    Miscellaneous Correspondence . 341

• Citation
  • Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), May 2, 1829, page 341, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2572/page/45/