An error—a fault in the working of a machine, or in physical operations generally, is soon discovered and admits of very little discussion, as to whether all is right or something wrong. Too much friction, a cog broken, or some other mechanical defect in mechanical construction, and the machine will soon stop; and so of physical movements; a disease or some radical defect in the constitution is soon discovered by bad pains and bad health; and if no recuperative remedy can be applied, the consequence will soon be a death stoppage. But in the moral world, the difficulties are far greater and more extensive. Immaculate truth and unmixed error are soon acknowledged, but when deeply blended together, ages may elapse before any considerable or healthy progress can be made. In physical science, and in mechanical discoveries, the progress has been prodigious; but it is a question very much open to dispute, whether the world is now purer, better, and happier than it was three thousand years ago, notwithstanding the centuries of statesmanship and legislation. In _physical_ realities, all appear to hail improvement with a welcome satisfaction, and gladly receive truthful discoveries, no matter from where they come, as if immediately experiencing a direct and general interest in all such demonstrations; but it is far more complicated in moral phenomena. Effects, either for good or evil, require a longer time for development, and are subject to influences from far more numerous and intricate causes, less capable of demonstration, and less capable of determining the share each exercises in the production of compound effects. Two persons may be equally honest, equally able, and equally desirous for the common good of the nation; but they will hotly dispute as to the proper means to be applied for this end; but if the opinions or theories of each could be immediately put to the test, and the results at once seen as in mechanical operations, a very different state of society would soon exist. If we could have a process of analyzation in moral transactions, so as to make the deformities of separated error at once manifest, and so with respect to the beauties of immortal truth, we might indulge a well grounded hope for rapid conquests toward the perfection of mankind. [Illustration: AUTHOR’S TRIAL IN MOBILE, ALA.—See page 144.]