EDITORIAL. 146 



eration which characterize the investigation of truth in the exact 

 sciences, belong not less to the inherent nature of politics, when con- 

 fined within the proper field. The object of all politicians in the 

 strict sense of the expression, is happiness — the happiness of a 

 state — the greatest possible sum of happiness of which the social 

 condition admits to those individuals who live together under the 

 same political organization. 



It may be asserted as an undeniable proposition, that it is the duty 

 of every intelligent man to be a politician. This is particularly true 

 of a country the institutions of which admit every man to the exer- 

 cise of equal suffrage. All the duties of life are embraced under the 

 three heads of religion, politics and morals. The aim of religion is 

 to regulate the conduct of man with reference to happiness in a fu- 

 ture state of being; of politics to regulate his conduct with reference 

 to the happiness of communities; and of morals to regulate his con- 

 duct with reference to individual happiness. Happiness, then is the 

 end and aim of these thre» great and comprehensive branches of 

 duty; and no man perfectly discharges the obligations imposed by 

 either, who neglects those which the others enjoin. The right or- 

 dering of a state affects, for weal or woe, the interests of multitudes 

 of human beings; and every individual of those multitudes, has a 

 direct interest, therefore, in its being ordered aright. "I am a man," 

 says Terence in a phrase as beautiful for the harmony of its language 

 or the benevolence and universal truth of its sentiment, "and noth- 

 ing can be indifferent to me which affects humanity." 



The sole legitimate object of politics, is the happiness of commun- 

 ities. They who call themselves politicians having other objects, are 

 not politicians, but demagogues. But it is in the nature of things that 

 the sincere and single desire to promote such a system of govern- 

 ment as would most effctually secure the greatest amount of general 

 happiness, can draw into action such violent passions, prompt such 

 fierce declamation, authorize such angry criminations, and occasion 

 such strong appeals to the worst motives, often venal and base, as we 

 constantly see and hear in every conflict of the antagonistic parties 

 of our country ? Or does not this effect arise from causes improp- 

 erly mixed with politics, and with which they have no intrinsic 

 value? Does it not arise from the fact, that government instead of 

 seeking to promote the greatest happiness of the community, bv con- 



