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TIIB WASHINGTONIAN
AUGUSTA, APRIL 18, 1845.
EDITORIAL COMMITTEE.
Rev. W. T. Biuntly, Dr. D. Hook,
“ W. J. Haro, James Harper, Esq.
■' C. S. Don, A. W. Noei., Esq.
{if?- To Dhtast Svbicxiseri.— Post Masters are au
thorlzed by law to remit money to the publishers of
newspapers and periodicals, in payment o! subscrip
tions. Subscribers to the It'athinijhmian can therefore
psy for their papers w ithout subjecting themselres or
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TO OUR CORRESPONDENT.
fV VVc must decline publishing “ Charcoal
Sketches,” sent us,—and in away too wc highly
disapprove of. We are sorry to differ from the
author, but cannot seethe merit, if any, contained
in the Sketches Nos. 1 and 2. The whole of the
Sketch No. 2, amounts to this: A Mr. Settler’s
wife wanted a frying-pan; she insisted that her
husband should at all hazards buy one for her • lie
starts to the store, and there meets with a “drink
ing set of fellow*” who persuade him to spend iiis
money for liquor. He does so; but resolving to
have a pan any how—steals one. He starts
home with it, but on his way is frightened by
some of the mischievous chaps frequenting the
store, and such is the alarm of Settler, he drops
the pan in his flight and arrives safely at home;
when his wife, taking advantage of bis fright,
makes him sign the pledge. This is the whole
wit of the piece—and Sketch No. 1, is entirely
barren of interest. AVe cannot indulge our cor
respondent, whoever he may be. His manuscripts
are at his disposal, when applied for.
Proceedings of the Washington Total Ab
stinence Society.
The meeting of tho Washington Total Ab
stinence Society, was held in the City Hall, on
the evening of the 2d inst., according to notice.
The minutes of previous meeting having been
read and confirmed, the meeting was then ad
dressed by Messrs. Markecnnd Bell, members of
the Franklin L terary Society, in an linterrsting
and ardent manner, to the edification of all.
On motion, the following question was adopt
ed for debate, at the next met ting of the Society :
"Is a temperate use of intoxicating liquors
more beneficial in its results upon man, than total
abstinence from the same 7”
The pledge of the Society was then offered and
six names added. The meeting then adjourned.
WM. HAINES, Jr., Secretary.
J3r The ladies of Augusta are earnestly invi
ted to meet at the Lecture Room of the Presbyte
rian Church, on Monday afternoon next, at 4
o’clock, to make arrangements for the holding cd
a Fair, for the benefit of the Temperance Society
of this place. The situation and wants of the
Society will at that time bo brought to notice, for
their generous assistance.
Postponed Meeting.
Wo are requested to slate, that the
meeting of the Temperance Society
which was to have been held according
to adjournment, on Thursday night next,
at the City Hall, is postponod from una
voidable circumstances, to Thursday
night following, the 24th inst.
O Mn. Alexander Campbell, the
distinguished Theologian and President
of Bethany College, Va., assisted by Mr.
R. L. Coleman of the same Slate, aro
delivering a series of discourses on the
Christian Religion, in the Christian
Church on Reynold-st. These discours
es will, wo understand, be concluded on
to-morrow night. Wo aro further in
formed that the discourse in the forenoon
of to-day, will he on tho interesting sub
ject of Education.
Temperance Meeting at the City Hall.
Wc take this occasion to inform the
members of the Temperance Society
and y>e citizens generally, that the next
meeting of tho Society will take place
on Thursday night the 24 ih inst., at the
City Hall, at 7$ o'clock.
It is not necessary, we hope, to urge a
faithful attendance on the part of the
members, and wo likewise deem it un
necessary to appeal to the citizens, par
ticularly the female portion of them, for
their aid and countenance, in assisting
us in sustaining and carrying out this
great moral reform. It is a cause that
comes to the heart and homo of every
member of society, and it is now too late
in tho day to attempt to demonstrate
what is now admitted to boa self-evident
proposition. Great good can be done to
any cause by harmony of feeling and
concert of* action, and scarcely in any
can it be more requisite and moro effi
cient than in tho Temperance cause.
We feel authorized in saying that
those who may attend ti e meeting, can
be assured that they could scarlely spend
their time more profitablysto suffering hu
manity, while if they stay away, wc are
not sure but they may be doing some
thing far worse.
Come, then, and see what we are do
%
ing, and hear the addresses to he made
upon the question for discussion for the
evening. If you do not hear a Cicero
or a Demosthenes, a Calhoun or a Clay,
yet you may discern tho germ of intel
lect budding into ripened oratory. —
There will he some “smashing” speeches
made, and no mistake. In another place
will be found tho question to be discuss
cd for that evening.
Tetnperauce in England.
Tho Bishop of Norwich, (of the
church of England) has not, it seems,
been ashamed to introduce the subject of
Temperance Societies to the notice ol the
House of Lords, by presenting and advo
cating their petitions. The Right Rev.
Prelate was candid, no doubt, in all he
said upon the subject, and seems willing
now to atone for his past folly in opposing
these Societies, by now doing all the
good he can for them. Ho presented
fourteen petitions signed by 2,000 per
sons, on the subject of temperance. In
concluding his remarks upon these peti
tions the Bishop said: “That the prayer
of the petitions he had to present was,
that measures might betaken topromot e
temperance, especially on the Sabbath
day. By tho census of 1841, it ap
peared that the proportion of bcor-shops
was 1 to 32 families, and most of these
beer shops were open on Sundays. The
consequence was, that tho increase of
drunkenness was quite remarkable, which
was proved by the fact, that the drunken
cases in York on Mondays was 33 per
ct. on the average number of the whole
cases of offences. He trusted the gov
eminent would not consider tiffs subject
beneath their notice.”
Freetown Young Unities.
We are always disposed to appreciate
tho efforts made by the female sex in be
half of the temperance cause; and par
ticularly that portion of them that arc un
married. Sometimes like our own sex,
they are disposed to make great saejifi
ces when called upon, but we were not
prepared for such a sacrifice as some un
married ladies of Freetown, Mass, have
made, in resolving to “ kick” any gen
tleman who offers a heart and a hand,
merely because lie has not signed a tem
perance pledge.
Wo do not like to see ladies go quite
this far, for fear a handsome consideration
should induce a recantation. It is much
to he doubted whether this part of the
resolution had not better be considered
surplusage, and thus afford an honorable
retreat in case of invasion in an unguard
cd hour and at an unguarded point. Love
is said to bo blind, and if so, when he
comes the resolution will he of course
invisible. We copy below the preamble
and resolutions as passed by these young
ladies, to show their devotion, heart and
soul, in the good cause of temperance.
Whereas, It is the duty of all, as much
as it is in their power, to check the pro
gress of vice and immorality, and ns bad
habits, especially that of drunkenness,
are sure to involve, not only tho unfortu
nate individual himself, hut all with
whom he may be connected in after life,
in misery and distress, therefore
Wc, the undersigned, unmarried La
dies of Freetown and vicinity do bind
ourselves, and promise with the sincerity
of Christians, that wc will not knowingly
associate with, or receive the attention of
any Gentleman, who is known to visit
houses of ill-fame, Grog Shops, or who
drinks any intoxicating liquor, or refuses
to sign the Temperance Pledge.— Dew
Drop.
Desecration of the Sabbath. —ln the
Report of the Presentments of Morgan
Superior Court for March Term, 1845,
Isaac Walker Foreman, wc find the fol
lowing presentment of the Jury, among
others:
“Wo deeply regret the fact that -rte
Georgia Rail Road and Banking a ’
ny frequently run their fre'y** . ram
cars on the Sabbath day. * * ie ,mm p ra l
tendency of this must °kvious
to the Stockholders’- We trust that g° od
sense, and dev«fi° n to good order and
law, will pr**ent the future desecration
of that Holy day.”
New Rail Road.
It is stated in the Mecklenburg Jeficr
sonian that preparations are making for
the construction of a Rail Road from
Mecklenburg, N. C. to Camden, S. C.,
where the branch of the S. C. Rail Road
through Columbia is to terminate. —
Should the communication of Charlotte
with Columbia be effected, it must add
greatly to the internal trade of North
Carolina with that seaport.
“ Married —On Sunday morning the
30th ult., by Silas Bell, Esq., Mr. John
Guyton, aged 72 years, to Mrs. Ruth
Layton, aged 70, both of Cass county.”
It would require no effort of the imagi
nation to conceive that we could seethe
o'.d gentleman whose bymenial vow is re
corded above, contemplating the vigor
of his old age, and soliloquizing in the
words that follow, just before ho “pop
ped the question”—
“I am not old—l cannot be old,
Though threescore years ami ten
Have wasted away, like a tale that is told,
The lives of other men.
*****
lam not old—l cannot lie old,
Though tottering, wrinkled and grey ;
Though my eyes are dim and my marrow is colJ,
Call me not old to-day.
* * * * •
For ever young—though life’s old ago
Hath every nerve unstrung;
The heart, the heart is a heritage
That keeps the old man young.”
Swear lug in Conversation.
We lay it down as u maxim that nev
er failed or will fail; that so long as the
conversation of any one is pleasing and
whose behaviour is affable and modest,
he will be sure to be treated with respect
even should his discourse he ever so un
pretending and chaste. Swearing is not
only not allowable in conversation, or on
any pretence whatever, but is a high of
fense against every thing that is sacred
and in violation of true politeness." It is
a sin without the excuse of temptation,
without alleviation, and is destitute, or
rather docs not offer any reward for its
commission. Swearing must then bo an
affront to all sober minded, well behave!
people, and in violation of every rule that
regulates the conduct of a well bred per
son. The practice should bo discoun
tenanced as sinful before God, and rude
and vulgar in any refined society. The
practice of swearing in conversation is
but too common, and nothing should be
made a surer criterion of a vulgar mind
than the indulgence of the practice.
Choosing employments tor Sons.
In connexion with some remarks made
about idle young men in our last issue,
wo propose to make a few observations
in relation to a subject, which wo have
always held ns paramount in interest to
both parents and their sons. So we
continue.
It is obvious that many, indeed very
many parents run into a great mistake,
when they take up the idea that the
greatest possible kindness they can do
their dhildren is to give, or leave them a
large “fortune.” To carry out this idea,
and at all hazards to accomplish so dcsi-
I I
rable an object of their wishes, they viil! 1
labor and toil through a longlife, pinch- ’ *
ing themselves, and stinting their fa mi * ■'
lies, even in the common necessary eo n ' !
forts of life—grudging even the s, makl
amount for education they have t- * Ply*
and all—ail toleavo an estate, pp-' r^c P* to
an ungrateful heir, or which ijmj. >l{cn *i ,cn t
in infinitely less time than wr * s taken to
amass it. This is a verry or
ror, and is only seen when* 11 !<! to ° ka * c
to ho corrected. That P arents should
not bo unmindful oft : _ r children in
! this respect is uotn r £tfcnnl and just;
but they should p mindful that
other thah peounim 4 cons * f J e >‘ations are
necessary to be R V C to »
are of importance. Give your
son an e#C if F* have il {o gjve, but
educate htrfta j* oow ow to use * l a s be
comes t|* eha racter of a gentleman;
for wit Wt-Vis, y ea^1 oa ty make
him me • knoun > and with
out fits neeunification you may !
-.avej tho if you please, or 1
rathef the W'Wtfcation of seeing your ‘
son " a rich booby,” as he 1
rolls bron fbe streets in his coach.
i°ws that those who 1
have ( .t in life with I*fortunes,” 1 *fortunes,” nei- J
therl'e Ms ippiest nor hold out longest in I
credit S« efewir likely to over-trade or
specu rp, ' «• spend their substance in ex- <
pensive living. On the other hand, those
• who have been prudently educated, but
r having no superfluous wealth to trust to,
1 knowing that by frugality, industry and
’ prudence they can only hope to succeed,
1 will most likely apply with steadiness
■ and diligence to business, of which in
3 the end, they will reap the fruits of their
' labor and care. Then this thing of
1 leaving fortunes behind to insure the
happiness, or give merited consideration
and respect to children, is not quite so
! self-evident as a problem in Euclid ; nor
| does it deserve half the consideration as
> the choosing suitable employments for
sons. The great mistakes made in this
way causes much more misery and un
happiness—many more evils in life, than
at first we are aware of. The great
mistakes made in this way often fill our
cities and towns with many idle dissipa
ted young men. Upon the heads of pa
rents rests this responsibility. Let us all
then, see how this evil can only be a
voided, without however committing
the error of the dancing master and mu
sician in Moliere, who labors to prove
, that the happiness of the world and the
welfare of States wholly depend upon
the cultivation of these two accomplish
ments. We bnly assert that much of
the mischief, unhappiness, misery and
idleness now so common, can by pursu
ing a course opposite to the present one>
be averted. In order that your sons
may have a chance for success and hap
piness in life, it is required of you ns pa
rents, to consult the natural bent of their
genius before you determine what em
ployment you put them to. The com
mon neglect of this important particu
lar has obliged many, after infinite
distress and disappoinments, and after
having spent much of their time in
1 combatting with misfortunes and vexa.
tions, to abandon a business for which
they were unfilled by nature, to enter
1 upon another which nature intended
i them for. It is quite common for pa
' rents to consult their humors or conven
ienccs in choosing employments for their
sons, without any regard whatever to
their capacity or natural bent of mind.
! How absurd—how short sighted—how
• simple in the parents?
Would you bring up a weak, plain,
honest youth, to law or physic and an-
I ticipatc his success? or would you thrust
into the pulpit a heavy, dull, plodding boy?
or would you hamper behind a counter a
genius, or bring him among bales of
goods in a warehouse? Surely not, if
what ought to be was done. Pa
rents who have two ideas in their heads
' must sec that they cannot master nature,
by giving to their ions qualifications
which she has denied them. Some chil
dren arc inquisitive, penetrating, and
studious—others are sluggish, dull, and
’ laborious; both equally fitted f° r a partic
ular,sphere ofljfc,- and the intent of na
ture should not be outraged by the fais*
! pride ;;J vanity of parents,
i If the g ,nius of a youth is bright, pa
i i* *.
rents soon discover its cast; if slowi
1 r J bught to be equally sharp sighted,
id deal with it accordingly. If there
j in the youth a bent of mind to any
flicular art or science, this is always
bilv discovered and should rather he
ckniraged than otherwise, for at a fu
tuUime it will throw off the shackles ol
P ar »tnl misguidance, and move off in
* !s tylimate sphere. Parentsshould re
flee Seriously upon a matter so impor
tan* \ its results as this, and avert in
time ie fatal consequences so often
growin out of its neglect. But sucii
arc the weaknesses of parents in this
particuly, that they scarcely ever look
beyond learned professions or the
countingVjom for employments fur their
sons, whit the mechanical branches ol
industry ar in no wise overstocked.
Sec alredy the hundreds of voung
men streets of our principal
cities in idlcfjss and want! see their de
pendence 1 goto them and ask them—
those who ha\fe any pride of character,
and they will lift hesitate to declare that
they regret the C&urse adopted with them.
We have heard bis regret repeatedly ut
tered by some cf the most estimable
young men: we\expect to hear it re
peated again and ajain.
It is high time tHjit evils growing out
of such fatal mistakes were ended by a
cessation of the causes. Parents should
begin a new rule in selecting employ,
ments for sons. Now the rule is, if your
sons show the very smallest spark of in
tellect above mediocrity—with some
quickness and a little shrewdness wilhall
they are immediately victimized to
Blackstone and Kent. Their bright and
dazzling career is already foreseen by the
far sighted vision of their parents. On
the other hand if your sons are dull, stu
pid, sluggish, or about mediocrity or be
low it, they are made Physicians or Prea
chers of, because such minds in such av
ocations are most likely to be tolerated,
the one by the ignorance of the mass and
their incompetence to judge of their pro
per qualifications, and the other from
Christian forbearance. Or if family
pride will sink itself a link or two they are
thrust into the walks of commerce, whero
after a life of toil and perplexity they
fail in business,''and perhaps die destitute,
leaving a large family to the cold chari
ties of the world. We hope these things
will be considered by those who arc most
interested, and that for the future wisdom
and prudence will take the place of folly
and pride.
We have extended our article beyond
our design, but before we conclude let us
admonish parents not to seek, so often to
fit the employments to the sons, as the
sons to the employments. It is much
more respectable—much more safe for
success in life to be an ingenious, worthy
mechanic—or to engage in any vocation
of labor that is adapted to our capacities,
than a dull briefless lawyer, a stupid
physician—or a preacher whose sermons
arc strongly impregnated with soporific
qualities. It is better to he almost any
thing than a dangler at the tail of tho
so called learned professions.
Fr,.m the Odd Fellow's Symbol.
Our duty as Odd Fellows to sustain the
Great Moral Movement, the Temper
ance Reformation.
BY BRO. CHARLES MARSH.
The platform upon which our institu
tion is based, and every distinctive feature
in tho constitution of our Order, enjoins
upon us the importance of living soberly-
And not only this, but it requires us to
act in behalf of every cause which has
for its object the good ot humanity. Wo
should be pioneers in every labor which
is manifestly good. Well, then, at the
present moment, the Total Abstinence
cause occupies a prominent station in the
public mind—it is firmly based in the
hearts of the people, and they will watch
with Argus eyes the members of every
Lodge in the community, and judge of tho
effects of the institution by the zeal which
Odd Fellows manifest in the welfare of
their fellow men. That tho success of
the temperance movement is of vital im
portanee to all,- is undeniable. We all
know, and many of us from painful ex
perience, that intemperance is the worst
enemy of the human race. It is indeed
a fearful vice—so annihilating and deso
lating, that ail other habits and vices sink
into utter insignificence in comparison
with it. The common petty vices of
mankind arc mere excrescences on the
surface of tho great public body—mero
eruptions of the skin; but intemperance
is a great cancer in the very heart of tho
ComminUtv-'-a sore and dreadful plague
spot, hor. tide and terrific in itself, and
communicating disease and death to
every thing within its devouring and
blighting influence. Other vices stain
and blot, but intemperance devours and
destroys; and even then its rapacious
appetite is unsated, for after the destruc
tion of its first willing victim, it leaves
the prints of its deadly clutches on tho
abodes and in the hearts of the widow and
fatherless, and grief and tears avail not
—the poor widow dies in poverty, wretch
edness, and misery, and the children,
thrown upon the wide-world, follow in
the crooked path trodden hv their father,
or if not so, they are sften deformed, dis
eased and sickly—their veins are filled
with unhealthy blood, that blood which
their own father polluted with burning
poison ; thus fulfilling the denunciation
of the Scripture, that the sins of the pa
rents shall be visited upon their offspring.
Truly, then, should we say, that intoxi
cating drink is a fearful enemy ; that Al
cohol is a fiend who is no respecter of
persons, rank, wealth, or station ; a fiend
in whose clutches talent is rent and torn
to atoms—in whose fiery breath intellect
is burned to ashes —in whose deadly
grasp genius withers and lies all blacken
ed and crushed —and before whose poi
sonous atmosphere man , with all his
boasted strength and dignity, grasps and
is suffocated like the Assyrian before the
scorching Sirocco of the dekert. Intem
perance plants its deadly fangs in the
face of the day-laborer, and its mark.