THE STUDY OF POLITICS.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume IX, Issue 452, 2 November 1850, Page 143

THE STUDY OF POLITICS.

(From the People 1 * Journal for April.) It is presumed that, as citizens of a country* all of us have an interest, directly or indirect];, in the subject of Politics ; for if by that term be expressed all that relates to the affairs and just government of a nation, it must be seen that an individual, as a constituent part of the nation — one who is amenable to its laws— who has to contribute to the maintenance of its political institutions— whose prospects in life and whose movements heriLare all dependent upon the right administration of its affairs— it must be seen that it obviously and necessarily follows that Politics concern us, not only abstractedly, as a nation, but individually, as men. As Englishmen, we term England our country : to it we owe allegiance — rights solemn and untransferable belong to us, and duties as citizens devolve upon us for which alone we are severally accountable. Nor is it merely in discharging those duties that our individual interest is concerned ; the interest of myriads are. dependent upon .their proper and faithful fulfilment. A man lives not for bimslf merely, but for all ; and whether he wills it or not, his peculiar privileges affect all : his duties, deny it though he may, are cosmopolitan in their influence. It behoves some of us, therefore, to look fairly at our position as citizens — to understand clearly the nature of the duties which the political code demands of vs — to thoroughly comprehend their import in order to tntir due fulfilment — to discriminate between rights and privileges, between moral and conventional duties. The age requires this of us : it requires earnest and thoroughly-principled men — " Men who know their rights. And, knowing, dare maintain." The day of factions and of parties is rapidly passing away; names and creeds no longer meet the wants and requirements of the age — it has overstepped them all — they are giving way Co something far nobler and better. The truths proclaimed by the great heroes of old have been silently taking hold of men ; the printing press and its ally, steam, have aided their advancement; and we have now arrived at a crisis unparalleled in the world's history — a crisis requiring the services of men of energy and truth. We are not about to discuss the theories propounded by varied political parlies, or the merits and demerits of varied forms of government; but simply to pursue a suggestive strain with regard to the important study of Political Science ; and, at the outset, we would disclaim any partisan , any exclusive views upon the subject. Politics with us breathe not of this school or of that : it is a matter comprehensive and vast — a matter affecting individual duty and individual responsibility — and as such we treat it. A glance at the history of the last century will suffice to show that, to the great mass of the people, Political Science was unknown. Instead of its ranking high as a study, it would seem to have been allied with all that is acrimonious, repulsive, and vicious. It is true that many thoughtful spirits mused upon it, worked out ideas, deduced principles, stood forth as independent, free-acting men — men who fearlessly proclaimed the results of their researches. Little, however, was effected in their day ; and it remains for us to profit by their example and their meditation ; it remains for us to learn that if we would have opinions, we must by investigation and by dint of labour obtain them ; if we would become conscientious and- highminded — striving to fulfil the behests of our being — we must be decided and vigorous — must put far from us vacillation and its concomitants—must be earnest- minded, true-hearted, and faithful. In order to* a thorough and well- digested knowledge of Political Science, study is necessary. The charge of ignorance or incompetence so frequently brought against those struggling for a participation in political duties — a charge which is, unhappily, in many cases too well substantiated by the conduct of the accused to need further confirmation — ought itself to constitute a sufficient stimulus to those who, by implication or otherwise, come under the ban, to make such efforts as in their own conduct to effectually rebut it; and, although it must be apparent chat those who at present enjoy political privileges are by no means exempt from the charge, yet, as the charge is principally maintained to the prejudice of these who are at present without political status or influence, it is more imperative and incumbent upon them at once unhesitatingly and unequivocally to repudiate it. * In speaking of the study of Politics, it is not with the slightest notion that a person is to enter upon a dry, statistical, and unirnpassioned investigation — far from it : he is to enter upon a study which cannot but return him threefold pleasure— a study which, if pursued aright, will expand his faculties, render him acute and thoughtful, raise him above the din and strife of sects and parties, and, by giving him principles immutable and eternal, enable him to

enact the part of a citizen in its truest and mos' comprehensive sense.

The position that in Politics there is nothing to learn — that conceptions upon it are intuitive, and the duties so trivial and unimportant as U< require neither thought in their discharge noi solicitude as to their result— is a position whicl a few moments' reflection would render untenable. Politics as a science has principles of ittown, principles peculiar to it, and, to comprehend the science, you must muster the prin ciples so as to be enabled to see their application to reason, and to deduce conclusions from them. Well would it be if this were universally done— if men acted from principle, and not from impulse : had they done so in the past, it were impossible that this our beauteous earth should have been desolated and desecrated by sanguinary wars ; did they so in the present, our ears would not be assailed, and our notions of justice outraged, by the cry of millions for freedom.

There are, however, individuals to be met with, who, while they admit that as men their country requires of them duties — vigorous thought and decided action; who while they admit that their interests are bound up in that of their country's— that its measures and proceedings concern them, in as far as they bear upon the questions which affect humanity — its progress and its destiny; concern them as measures affecting the well-being of the peoples, at the same time defend their blind adherance to party, because, forsooth, their revered progenitors did the same. Let us assume a different attitude, take care that we act as thinking conscientious men, men who spurn allegiance to an opinion resting simply on the faith of our ancestors. Let it be for us. to act as diligent truth- seekers — as genuine investigators — men who can point to a standard of action, existing within themselves^-the standard of genuine and honest conviction — source of all true prtriotism and usefulness.

To study politics successfully we have not to wade through dusty folios, or to discuss the multifarious theories of Political Economists. Politics concern the present and future of our country, and we cannot do better than make ourselves acquainted with its past measures and proceedings — what gave rise to them — how far they met the peculiar emergencies for which they were called into existence — what has been their effect and influence. By doing this we gain a thorough knowledge of the political history of our country — understand its home and foreign policy, the nature of its alliances, and the issues of its treaties. The mysterious haze which has hitherto enveloped governmental proceedings will no longer dim your 6ight. You will have obtained ideas and principles which will render you invaluable as a citizen, and which will guide you in determining those measures upon which you may be called to deliberate.

Political institutions, inasmuch as they aid or retard the progress of humanity, must be interesting to all who love truth and desire the advancement of our race. In our day we have not to regret the exhibition of an apathetic feeling towards political institutions. Men for the most part audibly evince their interest in them ; we question not their motives, nor attempt to guage their knowledge. Should however a man inform us that such an existing institution should be overthrown, and such a one reared, we naturally look for the basis on which his opinion is built, we seek to know if the matter has ever deliberately engaged his attention, if it has suggested any and what train of thought, if it has induced him to have recourse' to comparison and analysis, if it has taxed his energies and demanded his decision as a man. • Grand and all worthy the opinion if thus obtained ; if it is thoroughly deduced and regularly hewn, hope well of such a man, gain converse with him; he is a true student — a kindred spirit — a man of principle — one who has the clue, not merely to the study of politics, but to the vast amplitude of questions which lie before him.

The true nature of government and its relations to the governed, is to be found, not by consulting the pages of lawyers or statesmen, nor in the smooth and polished school of conventionalism, nor amid the fierce controversies of party politicians, but solely from the open volume of ever acting humanity. There we learn the true source of all government ; its nature and its functions : it is there we get a conception of the sacredness of its origin and the solemnity of its duties; it is there we learn our own position towards it, and acquire the resolve to maintain that position truthfully. Institutions exist for the people, and with the spirit of that people they must accord ; and it is for us, by studying their characteristics so as to recognize the varied forms and phases in which the mind of the people reveals itself, to decide how far existing institutions embody their spirit or meet their wants. It is for us, with ideas and conceptions truthfully obtained, to enact the part of true politicians; to 6how that politics are something more than evanescent froth, or pleasant delusions ; that it is a science vaßt and important, embodying principles and immutable verities which allegiance to truth and love of humanity will not allow us to slight; that it is a something requiring deliberate, clear-sighted, and earnest action. To all, then, we say, Btudy humanity; gain converse with the healthful pages of Shakspere rather than with those of dull utilitarian economists, and you will find yourself possessed of a knowledge before which that of the mere statistician dwindles into insignificance.

It is said that ours is a land in which slavery cannot exist. Does it, however, occur to those who proclaim this statement, that there is a slavery more ignominious and degrading even than that betokened by manacles and fetters,— the voluntary slavery of the mind? Would

that we could say that this existed act in our >wn country. It behoves those of us, therefore, o whom Freedom is something more than a name, to do our utmost to remove thia stain from our Fatherland; to do so by our own iteady refusal to subscribe to creeds or opinians we have not thoroughly investigated or do not properly understand ; by our adherence to that vvhich we conceive in preference to hereditary dogmas ; by our constant endeavour to act from sincere and individual conviction; and by a ready willingness to " give to every one that isketh a reason for the hope that is within us." Animated with such ideas, let us show our loyalty to truth and our love to our country by becoming true students ; let us throw our whole energies into the work of exploring and in* vestigating : — " Onward — onward— erer onward — Sluggard, ii there nought to do ? Is thii world of woe ye look on Such an Eden to the riew ? Is there nought that wanta improTing , Nothing ye would like to change ? I* all beautiful and blooming, Over which the eye can range ? Shame, the tower* of superstition Cart their gloom athwart the way j Jjerel them and let Truth's daylight In the dew* of error play. Prejudices mutt be yanqiuthed — Tyrannies must be cast down — Slavery and all oppressions, Yield the sceptre and the crown."

Let it so act, and our conduct will not be without its influence upon our country and our fellow-men ; our political education will give us a dignity and a power, enable us to achieve much; and, above all, render us independent, free-acting, true men.

Philadelphia, Feb. 18. — Antiquarian will feel deeply interested in the discovery of vast regions of ancient ruins near San Diego, and within a day's march of the Pacific Ocean, at the head of the Gulf of California. Portions of temples, dwellings, lofty stone pyramids (seven of these within a mile square), and massive granite rings or circular walls, round venerable trees, columns and blocks of hieroglyphics — all speak of some ancient race of men now for ever gone, their history actually unknown to any of the existing famalies of mankind. In some points, the ruins resemble the recently-discovered rides of Palenque, &c, near the Atlantic or Mexican Gulf Coast ; in others, the ruins of ancient Egypt ; in others, again, the monuments of Phoenicia ; and yet in many features they differ from all referred to. The discoverers deem them to be antediluvian,' while the present Indians have a tradition of a great civilised nation which their ferocious forefathers utterly destroyed.

How to Kirn, Rats.— Mr. W. Kidd, of Ham. mersmith, who bad a whole aviary of prettily plumaged pets destroyed by rats in one night, has now published an account of his recent campaign against the enemy : — " For the benefit of all who may hereafter fall victims to the rapacity of rats, I will lay before them my military tactics. Instead of commencing hostilities at once on discovering the extent of the ravages committed, I gave encouragement to the enemy, by throwing in his way divers articles of food, such as dripping, lard, meat bones, fish, and other dainties. This gave him confidence, threw him off his guard, so that he revelled unsuspiciously. I took care, mean* time, to secure all the hen houses, and shut the inmates up every night to protect them from their bloodthirsty foe. The great field day was Friday last. I completed all my arrangements before the hour of dusk, impatiently waiting for the rising sun on the morrow. My poiaon was carbonate of barytes, ground to an impalpable powder, and phophorus. An incision was first made in the backs of the herrings, and the carbonate of barytes well rubbed in. The parts were then, as artistically as possible, reunited. Sprats beings smaller than herrings, and more plastic, were pierced through with a piece of deal wood. Had a knife, a fork, or the human hand touched them, all would have been vain. The barytes was then ' drilled in,' and other sprats, not poisoned, were placed above and below them, so that suspicion was disarmed. Latet anguit in herbd! Barytes is without taste and without smell ; hence its great value. The way in which I applied the phosphorous would take more space to detail. When the preparations were all completed I stationed my trusty messengers in every part of the garden and shrubberies; some under trees, some in flower-pots, some hidden by a brick, others partly embedded in the garden walks, &c. They 'did their bidding' right bravely. On coming down stairs the morning following, I found the enemy had fallen into the snare. " There was a serious diminution of the provisions furnished for their repast, and the hand of death was observable on every side. They had eaten ravenously ; they had been seized with cruel thirst: they had sated themselves with water; they had "burst their boilers 1" To use an expressive and most appropriate classical quotation, there was a visible decessio pereuntium — ntecatio periturorum, which clearly proved I had won the day» In a word, two days and two nights effectually routed the whole. Oh! 'had they 10,000 lives my great revenge has stomach for them all.' " — Qardernert' Chronicle.

Ingratitude is a crime so shameful that there never was a man found who would own himself guilty of it. Great minds, like heaven, are pleased with doing good, though the ungrateful subjects of their favours arc barren in return. He that promotes gratitude pleads the cause both of God and man, for without it we can neither be sociable nor religious. Once on a time, a Dutchman and a Frenchman were travelling in Pennsylvania, when their horse lost a shoe. They drove up. to a blacksmith's shop, and no one being in they proceeded to the house to enquire. The Frenchman rapped and called out, "Is de stnitty within ?" " Shtand back," says Hans, " let me speak. Is der blackr smith's shop in der house ?"

The proposed submarine telegraph between Dover and Calais, conceded to Messrs. Drett and Co. by the French Government, it approaching completion. The tower for the battery offices, and general works at Dover are nearly erected, and the insulated wires are in a forward state of progress, and are expected to be rank across the Channel in the month of June^ 1850.