Indiana American, Volume 5, Number 47, Brookville, Franklin County, 24 November 1837 — Page 2

THE TIMES.

From the TFctlern Christian Advocate. A. LYCFUM EXERCISE. Volney"! Theory of the Lizc of A'ature disproved by an app-al to matter if fact. The erudite and highly gifted Volncy, in Iris celebrated "Hums," iiys down the thesis, that human reason ;can collect, from the

light of nature-, an immutable code of Ian, which shall he not for one family only, hut for th whole race of men." Ruins, p. 174.

He subsequently, in compliance with the request of the assembly of nations, defines this law of nature, and analyzes it into its component part. He defines it to be, "The constant and regular order of facts, by which God governs the universe: nn order which l is

wisdom presents to the reason and sense of

men, as an equal and common rule for their

actions, to guide them without distinction of country or sect towards happiness and perfection." Ruins', p. 17.3. Now if it tie true thai this law actually has an existence, and is sufficient to instruct men in their duty to God and each other, then the conclusion to which Mr. Volncy, and the entire infidel school have arrived, follows by the clearest Wical deduction, to w it, that Divine

rvplation i unnecessary, since the law of

nature is a complete directory for man; and,

as God eives only what H necessary, it is self-

evident that the: Bible was not given by him, nti.t lipnm. it cannot be a revelation of the

Divine will.

Thisii n mnclus'icn to which the believer

ofthe sacred Volume cannot hastily submit

Before he can unloose his firm anchorage in

God. dash his cheering hopes of the heavenly

raiman from his mind, as uoldcn drea ns, and

regard the sacred re pository of truth, the lii

Me, a? containing a religion of "error and de

lusion.' he must be convinced by the most in-

rnntestihlc! evidence, firs', that the law, ol

ntriTealc principles of the lrt t in q'Jvstion. O . . . ... i 4"

But before we proceed to test mis law or nature by the touch-stone of truth, we wish to notice" a serious difficulty connected with the subject before us. Mr. Volney affirms the existence of God, but adduces no evidence in support of his assumption. lie says, it is true, that he "who observes the astonishing spectacle of the universe, the more he meditates on the attributes and properties of each being, on the admirable order and harmony of their motions, the more it is demonstrated

that there exists a supreme agent, an universal and identic mover, designated by the appellation of God." But this is no proof ; nought

but sheer declaration, lictore ne nau s.uu, that "God governs the universe by constant and regular facts, which his wisdom presents to the reason and senses," &c, he should have

demonstrated his existence, a trutli vitally lic

it lie docs not the universe;

to his argument, l or

cessary

pxist. t lien does he not govern

nor, by his wisdom, present a law to me leason mid senses of men. To say the contrary.

is to say that non-existence possesses the pow

er to govern, and llie nttriouie oi wibuuu.,

which is both false and absurd. 1 hen upon this point, docs God exist? turns the whole

question at issue. INow mere are oui v conceivable ways through which we can receive a knowledge of God; une is, Divine re-

vplatinn. and the other, the works ol naiuie.

The deist rejects the first, and relies lor proof

upon the latter. Dut we deny mat uou existence can be thus learned, and appeal to facts to sustain us. Let us suppose an individual whose mind has been disciplined by the most laborious research, and closest thinking, placed in a situation where he has never heard from those associated with him, that there

exists an almighty Being, self-existent, and in

which Mr. Volney speaks, can, b$ reason, be

gathered from nature; and second, that it ex

istsand third, that it is a sufficient rule for his government. Till then, he will believe with n unshaken confidence in the Holy Bible;

notwithstanding the summary and truly logical way, with which the Gallic philosopher and his sacerdotal genius have disposed of its claims, to wit, that since each of the different systems of religion professes to be a religion of "evidence and truth," therefore no one of them is. We will not stop, however, to show how closely the premise and corollary are allied, nor yet how obviously it appears, because all religious systems proclaim that they are true, therefore no one of them is. The deduction is almost as pertinent to the position, as the inference, the moon is a ball of leather, Uecause it revolves around the earth. "Three questions now present themselves. First. Can the reason of man, from the light of nature, collect an immutable code of law ?

Secondly. Are there constant and regular

facts by which God governs the universe; an order w hich his wisdom presents to the reason and senses of men, as an equal and common

rule for their actions, to guide them without distinction of country or sect towards happiuess and perfection! And thirdly. If the will of God is indicated to us through nature, is it indicated sufficiently for our government? We assume the negative of these questions.

and shall endeavor to disprove them by a series of candid ratiocination. And in conducting our argument, we shall rigidly adhere to the principles of the inductive philosophy, as taught by Lord Bacon Stewart, and others. By it we will stand or fall. In reply to the assumption in the first question, that the reason of man can form this immutable law from facts developed in the law of nature, wc would remark, that against it there lie faro insuperable objections. The first

is, that since tins law is to be learned from an j examination of the works of God, and the administration of his government, the physical anJ constituent attributes, motives, and affections of man, it is plain that n perfect reason is necessary in tiie inductive process by which it is to be established; for if the reaon thus employed is imperfect, the rule drawn from the facts investigated will also be imperfect, and consequently, not immutable. That man's reason is not perfect, is evident from the fact, -that the several powere which constitute this

faculty perception, consciousness attention.

comparing abstraction, association, and ana'lysis are some of them imperfect in every individual. But secondly, the reasoning facul

ties of men vary in strength. While one man is distinguished for the energy of his reasoning powers, another is distinguished only for their .imbecility. While, the man cfstrong mind .wends his way among the mazes of laborious induction, and gathers, what he conceives to be, import;.nt principles of this great law, the man of a weak mind, with the same facts, viws them as having relations and bearings, in many respects, entirely different from the other. Thus, from the same data, men whose minds are dissimilar, deduce conclusions essentially disagreeing. This law, then, instead of 6eing immutable, would be what each individual might conceive it ti be; and hence, there would be almost as man- laws as there

were person. Thus it will be seen, chat if

nature has fixed an unchangeable Saw, man's reason is inadequate to ascertain what it is. And a this is the only medium through which we can become acquainted with the supposed law. ave an express revelation from God, which the deist denies as both impossible and improbable, it will follow that it is still undiscovered, Mors. Volney and bis pretended infallible legislator to the contrary notwithstanding. The second question now presents itselfand in discussing it, we shall concede, that the deist may have sonae little chance, what we hare already diprovcd, tis, that the reason of man can collect am! clearly Reprehend the

vested with t ie attributes ot omnipotence,

omnipresence, omniscience, intelligence, wisdom, and immutability; now we wish to know how he is to arrive at the knowledge of this being. It will not be pretended, we presume, that the idea of God is innate; and if it were the nation stands opposed to correct philoso

phy. The theory of innate ideas was, long

since, exploded as visionary; and it is now generally admitted, that all our knowledge romes through the medium of the senses. Hence, if the individual supposed gains a knowledge of God, it must be from proof received through the ordinary channels of communication to the mind, the senses. The question is then settled, that the mind cannot originate the idea of a God. Can he then,

from anv thinsr around him convince himself

of the being of God? It may be nnswered, that the beautiful arrangement and exquisite harmony displayed in the architecture of the world, show marks of evident design; and as every design must have adesigner,it is therefore plain, that there must have been an almighty Power adequate to its creation; consequently, there is a God. That design proves beyond all doubt, a designer or designers, we

readily admit; but we would fain know what there is in the worksof creation, w hich proves that there is one and onh one designer. There

may be one, it is true; but is it not as reason able to suppose that there were several de

signers equally wise and powerful, concerned

in sketching out, and creating, the magniti-

cent handiwork of the universe? For aught

that bo shown to the contrary, it is equally as reasonable. There is nothing in nature to indicate that the first is true, nor that the latter is; consequently, all that may be advanced in favor of either is but mere hypothesis. Since, therefore, the being of God cannot be established from the material universe, i. c., abstract from Revelation, it must be evident

to every individual, upon a little reflection, j that Mr. Volney s law has but an ideal existence; for if, as we have seen, the being of

God cannot be demonstrated from nature, how can a law of which he is the primordial basis, or cause, be demonstrated to'iiave area existence? Hereupon this ground, wc might rest our cause, and tell Mr. Volney, that when he has proved (not asserted) the being of God, it will be lime for us to inquire whether he has established such a law as is spoken of in the "Ruins." But as we wish to follow infidelity farther and take a peep into its glaring inconsistencies, and trace out its illogical cmelusions, we push onward with the battle-axe of truth against the common cnemv.

To be Continued in our next.)

Scon ks the colixens heard of the nuivnl of the press, and its location, Rnd feeling indignant at this third attempt on the part of Love-

ioy to insult their feelings, a large number of

(hem assembled around me warenous-e, un the night of the 7lh inst. about 10 o'clock, and demanded the press from Lovejoy, who, with 20or HO abolition friends, well armed,

had previously met to defend it. Lovejoy and his friends declared that they would sacrifice their lives before they would give up the press. At this critical moment, Lovejoy forgetting all prudence and propriety, fired upon the

I crow d from a w indow in the second story ot

the building, and shot a man by the name of Bishop, a carpenter by trade, lodging in the body of the unfortunate victim five balls. Bishop lived about an hour and n hall, and then died of his wounds. When Bishop was shot, the crowd dispersed for a short time, but

being incensed at Lovejoy s latal attack upon them, they armed themselves, and re-assembled around the warehouse, with a view of nvenging the death of Iheir companion. Whilst one of the multitude was ascending a ladder placed against the side of ihe building, Lovejoy, and one of his friends, made their appearance at the door,'nnd fired at the man on the ladder. At this moment some one of the crowd fired upon Lovejoy, who imme

diately fell, laving lour buckshot lodged in

his breast. He died in a few minutes. The person w ho w as with Lovejoy at the time he was shot, is a merchant by the name of Royal! Weller; & lie also relieved a shot in his leg-a flesh wound merely. Mr. A. B. Roff, formerly of this city, was likewise badly shot in the ancle. Several others were wounded with small shot, but not very severely. The crowd, or mob, at length succeeded in obtaining the press, and destroyed it. Thus ended the folly and fanaticism of the Rev. Mr. E. P. Lovejoy. Deprecating mobs of all kinds in the highest degree, as we certainly do, we are never

theless clear in the opinion that Lovejoy was

greatly more to blame than any one else. He

kept the people of Alton in a continual state of excitement, and from what had previously

occurred, he must have known that a persis-

tance in his mischievous course would end in

bloodshed. He seems to have courted death,

and he fell a martyr to abolitionism.

The occurrence is undoubtedly deeply to

be lamented; but had he, (Lovejoy.) yielded to the wishes of a vast irwjorily of the citizens of the place, his own life and that of another

would have been saved, and the town of Al

ton would have been free from the reproach of mobism. G'i. Whig.

The defendant Id the Court: "I do not!

intend to insinuate ngnhnt any body. 1 only w ish to show the court the impropriety of receiving Mr. Gnatl's testimony, and I trust the court will protect me. It is a strange state of things, indeed, if I must be openly assaulted with a chair in a court of justice. The defendant recommenced his remarks, and Gnalt again rose, drew his chair, and swore .t lit j ;r i : :. .,.. I

lie would KnocK nim aown u ne uisuiuaiccu

any thing against him. The defendant to the Court: "Will the court protect me by ordering nn officer to take the Allow in custody?" Esquire Henderson: "No 1 shnt," winking to Gnalt. The defendant to the Court: "Very good, sir. then I shall protect myself."

Here the defendant drew from his pocket a pa'rof small pistols, cocked them, held one in each hand, and proceeded with his remarks

to the Court. Gnatt turned pale, and his lips quivered, he dropped his chair, and retreated to the back part of the Court-room.

Esquire Henderson then said that the further consideration of the objection w ould be post

poned at that time, upon which the delend

ant coolly rcph.ced his poslols in his pocket,

and took his seal.

The case was at last committed to the jury

who could not agree; and Mr. Justice Hen

derson is accused of having forged a verdict in

favor of the nlantiff. On this accusation he

has been arrested.

An English paper thus speaks of Mr. Van

Buren s Sub-1 reasury scheme:

"There is something very comical in Van

buren s denouncing paper monev-, and bung'

ing in a bill authorising the issue by his own

Treasury of twelve million dollars worth

bank notes, ihis is the oddest way ol making gold and silver the currency of the land. It is like travelling from Liverpool to London, by way of Killarney." More Glory. The capture of Oseola is announced as "glorious neasf We look up

on it as an inglorious termination of a most in

glorious war. Oseola came to hold "a talk, and while the talk was going on, he and his

people were surrounded and seized by a body of men lying in ambush! Stratagems are allowable in war, but not treachery. We are pleas

ed that Oseola is taken, but do not like the

manner of it. Delaware Journal.

ABOLITION RIOTS & DEATHS AT ALTON. There has been another very serious riot at Alton, Illinois, caused by the indomitable abollionisni of the Rev. E. P. Lovejoy; who seems to have utterly disregarded the sentiments and feelings of a large majority of the people of that place, and who, apparently, has taken no little pains to bring about the awful catastrophe, of which wc are now to speak. It w ill be recollected, by our readers, that on tn-o former occasions, the people of Alton, fixed in the determination to permit no abolition press to exist in that place, destroyed the press and printing materials of Mr. Love

joy, taken to Alton by him, for the purpose of r r-i rk f t r n , nl.sf.l. . - ... riM I .

i. .in nuuiiiiiin ut;vpaper. i ne lasi time the press was destroyed, the people (among whom were many of the most respectable citizens,) warned Mr. Lovejoy, under peril of his personal safety, not again to outrage the feelings of the citizens, by persisting in his intention of establishing an abolition paper. He, however, with a fanaticism inexcusable as unaccountable, determined to persevere in his purpose, and for the third time purchased a printing press, and on its arrival had it deposited in the ware-house of Messrs. Godfrey, Gilman fc Co., with n view of reestablishing his abolition 'Observer.'" Mr.S. Gilman in a strong abolitionist, but Mr. B. I Gilman and Mr. Godfrey, (the other members of the firm,) are opposed, and were absent from town at the lime of the riot.

Three Hundred Indians Drowned. We copy the follong account of another dreadful steamboat disnster from the New Orleans Commercial Bulletin, of Friday last, the 3d November: "The steamer Monmouth left this port nboutaweck since, laden with several hundred

Indians, a portion of the emigrant Creek tribe, as passengers. In travelling up the

Mississippi, through Prophet Island Bend, she was met by the ship Trenton, in tow by the

Steamer Warren, descending the river. It

was after dark, being near eight o clock at night, and through the mismanagement of the

ofhccrsaiid the obscurity of the scene, a cob

sion took place between the meeting vessels,

and the Monmouth immediately sunk Irom the violence of the concussion. Out of the large nunber of Indians on board, near three hundred perished. Whether any of the crew

were saved or not, we have not learned. The

mishap is ascribed chiefly to the neglect of

the officers of the Monmouth. She was run-j ning in a part of the stream where by the usages of the river, and the rules of the Mississippi Navigation, she had no right to go,

and w here of course the descending low did not expect to meet her. Here is another evidence of the gross carelessness of a class of men to whose charge wc often commit our personal safety and precious lives." In addition to the foregoing, wc find the

annexed in the steamboat memorandum of

the Bulletin: "Steamer Monmouth, hence for Arkansas

river, run into the shin Trvmonf, in tow of

steamer Warren, on the morning of the 3 1st October, at eight o'clock, in Prophet Island

Bend, and immediately sunk. The cabin of

the boat parted fiom the hull, and drifted some distance down stream, when it broke in two parts, and emptied its contents into the river. There were 61 1 Indians on board the M. only 300 of whom were secured by the crews of the Warren and Yazoo. The ship

lost her cut-water. The barkeeper and a fireman were the only persons attached to

the M. who lost their lives.

A Prediction. An intelligent foreigner,

long resident in th:s country and familiar with

our local and general politics, although not a

citizens, win conversing yesterday with some other passengers in one of the rail-road cars

from Philadelphia. The conversation natu

rally turned upon the New York election, and

somebody asked what Mr. Van Buren would

do. "I'll tell you what I think h'll do," said

the foreign gentleman. "If New York goes

against him, he'll vote the whig ticket him

self. 7 ISot unlikely. J. Y- Com. Adv.

A Lake Story good and true. A friend

of mine built a good schooner, and through

the request of his master workmen, and pre sentation of a stand of colours, she was christ

ened "Thomas H. Benton." She cannot gel a load in any port on Lake Erie, even when

mere is ireignt to send, and Ihe way she is

jeered with T. II. Benton' flying at her mast head when in harbour, is a caution: are you loaded with yellow boys, will you take a load

of shiners to Missouri, &c. and so on her

owner says she is in danger of being Lynched and as her name cannot be altered except by

an act of Congress, it has been suggested that

he draw black lines around the magic name and write upon the flag"expunced." Dayton

Ohio) Journal.

gen. Harrison. Democratic Republican principles are obini potent resistless. They need but be known to be approved by the people. A succession of victories have attended them for a year past, which has no parallel in the history of any party. The Jackson dynasty, in its palmiest days, afforded nothing so brilliant; its rise was steady though not impetuous, and the causes of success were quite dissimilar; the one attained to greatness and unprecedented power through the unbounded popularity of a military chieftain; the other now progresses by the force of pure principles, brought home to the minds and hearts of the people. The glory of the Jackson party was evanescent it sunk when the master spirit who controlled its destinies retired from the thea

tre of action, but the ascendancy of the De

mocratic Repulican party must be permanent enduring, for the reason that it rose by the

force ot correct and just principles. The democratic republican party have never faultercd in their ascent to the proud eminence la

which they have now attained. The good of the country at heart, the preservation of the Constitution and the laws inviolate, has ever

been their ruling object; and now that the v

have a fair promise of wresting from the hands of the spoilers, the power that they have so

much abused, we entertain a well grouaded hope, that in ihe future use of this power Ihsv

will act in good faith to our great and worthy men, and that a course of honorable conduct

will be pursued, consistent with the high character of Ihe party, and with the wishes of the people. Wc have, in common with all other parlies, restless and visionary men, who act from selfish motives at times, and who do not rurhllv consult the interest of the whole. F.i-

of'sily elated with victory, they imprudently con-

clude'that the party can elecate to power air

man of whom they may make choice. Having warm predilections for some man, who is the object of the political idolatry, they perteveringly urge him upon the party ,be he never so unpopular or otherwise unqualified for the station which they design him to fill. We have been led to these reflections fiom having heard it rumored, that a bold attempt would be made to shuffle the name of the beloved HARRISON aside, in order to make room lor some individual (who for the present

shall de nameless.) in the choice which the

democratic republican rartv will be cal-

cd upon to make, of a candidate for the Pre

sidency, in IS10. Such a movement, if at

tempted, will meet with the stern rebuke of Pennsylvania, we promise the w ire-worl crs.

It would be esteemed little short ol treason!

What motive prompts this mad course of pol

icy? )o politicians think the people fools? have they not had most unequivocal evidence

of the PREFEIIECE OF TIIE PEOPLE FOR Gf.Ni

Harrison. Why seek to sow disunion and dis

cord in our ranks, when fortune has given the

power into our hands? Pennsylvania will

stoop to no bargain in tins matter. Mic

made choice of Ge n. Harrison long sir.ee as her candidate, and she will hear to none oth

er; we assert it, and lime will vcr :v more

A coi-rt in .lVucihcan. ihe papcres give an account of a very strange proceeding

in a late trial belore a court in routine, Michgan. Benjamin Irish had sued George W. Wisner, for the recovery of a bet made upon the result of the election. Among other witnesses in favor of the plantiff, was Samuel

in. vnait, euuor oi me administration paper

in ronliac, and a candidate for the otate Legislature. Being asked by the defendant whet .cr he was interested in Ihe event of the suit, he replied that he had promised the plaintiff to help him to pay the expenses of the suit had also promised to help five others to tar and feather the defendant, and carry him out of the village knew the ballot box had been robbed, and he did not care w ho said it had'nl. The defendant objected to receive Gnatt's evidence, and commenced making remarks to the Court in suppurt of the objections.

Gnalt rose, drew up his chair, and said, "If

he (meaning Mr. Wisner,) says ny thing that insinuates Rgainet me, by I'D knock him down."

Specie going Out. We have seen it stated in several eastern topers, that about ticcnty tons of specie have been shipped from Pillsburgh. We are inclined to the belief, that most of this was forwarded from Cincinnati; as, we arc credibly informed, that one house in this city has purchased nine hundred thousand dollars, since the suspension of specie

payments, w hich, alone, would be tons! Cm. Whig.

eighteen

Tobacco cnrr.e to add perpetual intoxication to the catalogue of wilful calamities. It is a remarkable instance of ihe perversity of the human will when left to itself, that while coffee with all its singular powers of cheering the mind and refreshing the nerves, took

nearly four hundred years lo make itself

known in Europe, and while the potatce is scarcely more than coming into use in a large portion of the Continent, tobacco tok little more than half a dozen years to be known as far as ships can carry it; that it is now the favorite filth of every savage lip within the circumference of the Globe; that it fills the atmosphere of the continent w ith a perpetual

stench; thr.t the Spaniard sucks it, as he says

lor me neat the Uulcuman lor the cold the Frenchman, because he has nothing else

to do the German, because he will do nothing else the London and American apprentice and loafer because it makes him look like a gentleman and all because it is in its own nature Ihe filthiest, most foolish, dullest and most disgusting practice on the face of the earth.

clearly our nssention, that should Gen. ITr.r-

rison be intrigued out of the nomination, Ins

friends w ill cast their votes for Van Buret', in

preference infinitely, to the man w ho sur -plants

him. lie can have no rival in the aliect'cns of Pc-nnsylvaiiians. They. will suffer no man

to shuffle him aside to subserve the political views of intriguing and dishonest politicians. Democratic Republican principles are in the ascendant. The party can have the next Prcsidcrt, if wisdom directs its councils, niul

the nomination of Gen- Harrison is fettled upon with unanimity. But in any o'hercvent. Van Buren's rc-electicn is certain. Do you want a better man than Gen- Ha'rlson? Can we select a purer patriot a wiser hciid

and a sounder heart than wc find in Gen. Harrison? Is (here a man in Ihe whole nation so popular as Gen. Harrison, or who would rally in his support as mai y friends of Ex-prcsidc-nt Jackson? We think not. Why not llicn, with one consent, rally around hi? standard? Why seek to sow the elements of discord in the ranks of the party, by foisting upon the people some man in w hom they have no confidence or at least, to the suppoil of whom they will not come up with enthusiasm with their souls fired with patriotic ardor and gratitude? Gen. Harrison is belovcdty the people.of Pennsylvania ! This is a strong Icrm. though a proper one. They love liiin for his patriotism for his virtue, for Ins stern and inflexible integrity for his attachment lo the Constitution and institutions of the country, and for his having perilled his all in defiance of that constitution and those institutions. Can any people have stronger incentives to actions? Can any man present stronger claims to support? With Gen. Harrison for oui candidate victorv is inevitable.

Wc express ourselves stronrlv on this sub

ject, believing that its importance demands

the use ollorcible and plain language. wish to advertise the party of the danger which threatens to mar its "harmony. e wish to let the country know the sentiments of Pennsylvania on the question of the Preside cy. We wish the party to act advisedly in the premises, and if it is determined to make choice of another name, instead of that ot Harrison, we wish to place on record our prediction, that signal defeat awaits them! Penn. fold-

The Madison, (Ind.) Banner, of yesterday , says, that Pork has not yet received a fixed price in that market. Three dollar ;s offered, but no contracts yet made at that rate.

Another Steemboat lost. We understand that the steamboat Ceylon, owned at Pittsburgh, and bound to New Orleans from Louisville, was burnt to the wnter'eedge, on Tuesday last, near Salt river, thirty miles below the Falls of the Ohio. The Ceylon was full of freight and passengers. The cargo was principally consumed; but the passenrenoapd, without any Kn of life.Gfn. Whtg.

A Shake Story The Muncv. Pennsylvania

Telegraph, of the 21st October, says that a Mr-

Kobert Cook, of that place, was taken sick on iThursday previous, and "threw from his stomacn a snake six inches long, perfectly formed, and supposed to be of the water species. Mr. Cook, about six wceka previous, drank from a spring in t"9 woods, since which time he has experienced singular sensations and some indisposition--but is not aware of having swallowed any thing cut water at the spring. The snake is preserved m

spirits and may b re en." Wayne cv Ckrir-