Augusta Washingtonian. (Augusta, Ga.) 1843-1845, April 12, 1845, Image 2

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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 the publisher to the expense of postage, by handing the amount to the Post Master, with a request to remit it. 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.