The Portland gazette. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1818-1824, 1821-12-11

tion will ever be evaded it would seem that sense
of duty and ambition both unite IN ensurng compll-
with its provisions still, Gentlemen, If in this
instance we anticipate much and any towns or
plantations known by you be negligent IN this
respect your oath demands Of you to present the Of
fenders.-It is a truth which should always re-
member that general education Is the bets security
can have for our liberties and blessings.
Another important duty devolying parents, IS that
Of maintaining good taaily government This is the
best basis Of all other good govennent-and, as gen.
era proposition it may be relied on, that the
derby subjects under this domestic government will
form the best citizens Of the Siate.-We are not a.
ware at first view how much depends on this early
watchfulness how much the character OF the future
mdR-the father the SOn-the brOther-tne husband
and the friend, depend this moral discipline under
parents roof how much the bad passions OF the
child are restrained and weakened and his heart made
better by parental kindness by religious impressions
and the power of praise-wortny examples. In TINS
manner the foundation is laid for moral worh-steady
habts-love Of order-respect for the laws and magis
trates of the state and general disposition is thus
produced to strengthen society by the influence oi good
principles and spirit OF subOrdlnatiOn.
The parent will be essentially aided in the discharge
Of this interesting duty by adding to his own sane
tons, those which may be heard the house Of God
on the Sabbath. In few parts of the people
50 situated TO be unable to avail themselves OF the
privilege OF public WOrshlp.-Pennlt me 10 observe
that this opportunity should be neglected by parents
themselves, should their children be deprived OF It
or permitted overlook it unworthy Of their re-
gard-They should be taught and encouraged TO at
tend receive public instruction in all their duties
This practice will produce habits OF attention these
duties and respectful department OF all of reverence
TO the laws OF their Maker and of the government
der which they live it will tend 10 form them good
citizens, and gradually diminish the number Of those
who disgrace themselves by their vices and disturb the
happiness and good order OF the community.
Again, let be remembered that ldLeueSS the
mother OF a thousand crmes.-Those who live in hab
Its OF Incidence and suffered to their time in
folly and dissipation, are TO find employment In
the service of SIM that of masters and la
ment over their vices and the care!eSsnesS IN
discretion OF their parents IN leaving them the dan
gers Of tenptaon.-Ihe young should be honestly and
ndustriously employed; their minds occupied and
their hopes encouraged and properly directed, if
would expect TO them walking safely III the road Of
fair and honorable adyaucement-The world is full Of
the proofs that llsess inattentiOn and Incidence nat
uraIIy lead not only TO waste OF time but of moral
principle; and IT the young especially put jeopardy
every thing that IS valuable in the cnaIaser
Another of countless alisfortlneS mischiefs
and crimes is vicious and profane company-It cor
ups only good manners, but the heart and infu-
ses poison into that fountain which should be preaer-
we'd in all possible purity We who are parents ought
TO trembe Tor ourselves and our children II we will
mgly Or heedessly permit them 10 haunts Of
vice. associate with those whose morals difuse poi
son. and whose society is scandal.-Wc should warn
them OF the danger OF such associations and gently
lead them back 10 the path of virtue, whenever they
have strayed from i. We should be careful espec-
tally that they should not have il IN their power 10
plead example in excuse for their deviations and
the fatal consequences attending them.-f we look a.
round us in society or road the narratives of these
"retched beings who were about eufor undor the
sentence OF the law for their crimss, in how many
instances do we find the sufferers dariag their ruin
from the time when they became attached o-Fi.inns
and abandoned associates-Here the first poison was
communicated, which destroyed every moral principle
and at last made them confrned offenders
Another monSrous evil is daily extending its devas
tating influence in country bringing disgrace as
well as ruin upon thousands. Let parents be dulv a
ware OF the melancholy consequences flowing iron
lntemperance.-We are constantly observing the rcr
nicous and often fatal effects produced by tins brutal
izing vce-lt lends its aid TO idncss aud misery q,
crime are every where found in its Iain.-As we
would wish to lessen the catalogue Of offences and re-
eve society from the evils and miSorunes arising from
such foolish and criminal ndu gence let us all do our
endeavor 10 effect dscontnuance Of this destructive
practioe.-lntemperance infames the passions and
leads to violence and bloodshed Ii wastes properv
--desroys health and domestic peace :-impairs me
understanding and leaves the man with lust sense q.
nough to do mscmef-dsgrace himself and aflict his
friends and IN TINS absence Of sober reason ne tram
pies on the laws which give him protection.-How
much have parents TO answer for, who suffer their
children in TN manner lay the foundation of their
own rum and that OF their families and wound society
( by their conduct and how much more have they 10
answer tor and be ashamed of If they themselves i'll
duge in similar enomities and use the influence Of
parental example in bringing infamy and sorrow on
their offspring.
am sensible, Gentlemen, that many of these often
ces cannot fail under your official cogn2ance but in
the punishment of crimes should look for the best
means for reducing their number and amcoratinp he
condition of society.
: have made these observations in the hope that
they may produce some good effect that they NAV
put US on our guard awaken parents and others 10
sense OF their duty and their danger that they may
induce an observance Of better principles and save
some from travelling in that road that leads down 70
ruin.