Massachusetts spy and Worcester advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1823-1825, 1823-12-03

little do you think, while you dress the
head of your forward urchin with the
paper cap, and arm him with some
mock instrument of death, and delight
to see him march round your parlour
to military tune, affecting the manners
of soldier, little do you think that
you are giving his tender mind wrong
direction, and making impressions which
may last forever-and which, if they
do not cause your own heart to throb
with anguish at the news of his untime-
ly death, may make some one, WIN
loves her child as well as you do yours
lament an only son slain by yours, il
consequence Of the early impressions
you have made on bis mind.
GAS soon as boys leave the lap of
their mothers, and begin to play out of
doors, the first play thing they have. if
in a seaport, is miniature man of war.
If they live in the country, some old
pistol barrel is mounted to initiate a
field piece. In both town and country,
but mostly in towns, boys are encour-
aged to form themselves into infantry
companies, to shoulder wooden guns and
to elect officers.
''The first pictures, which are repre-
seuted to the youthful eye, are often of
sieges, and battles, and naval engage
ments, in which " the pomp and circum-
stances ofgl orious war" are portrayed
in lively colors.-The youth conscious
of his own safety, fancies he sees the
fire and smoke, hears the neighing of
horses, the report of cannon and small
arms, the clangor Of trumpets, the deep
and thrilling tones Of martial music, and
the shout ofvictory. He feels sensation
he can neither describe nor account for,
and longs TO be in the conflict. If he
sees statue, it is generally that of some
great warrior, in military habiliments,
trampling on fallen enemy. The
productions of the pencil and chisel al
ways represent TO nation its victories,
and never its defeats. These would
tend TO alIay, as much as those to in
flame military ardor.
"Almost all the great professions,
which boy sees, are of military ma
ture. He attends the musters, reviews
and sham fights. His infant mind is in
famed by the splendor of the uniforms,
the glitter of the accoutremeuts, the
pomp and parade Of military evoIutions,
and martial music; and he feels a strong
desire to be an actor in the scene. He
has an idea of the dangers of war, sufi-
Gent to make it interesting; but not e.
nough 10 disgust.
SAT eighteen years of age, our youth
is made to shoulder musket, and ap-
pear EARNED at all points, at a rendez-
vous; which is too often at OF near
grog shop, where he may learn to get
drunk, swear and fight, and thus COM
plete his education.
" A nation thus educated are no more
capable of Judging on the subject Of
war, than the inhabitants of Georgia are
capable of judging on the question of
slavery. Ehe difference of opinion on
the subject of slavery in Maine and
Ceogia is principally the effect of edu-
cation. SO is the different opinion be-
tween the present generation and the
former ones on the subject of the in
QUESTION and judicial combat. l have
no doubt, that many who have burned
hereticks or logged slaves, have pos
sessed as much natural benevolence as
those who encourage war. They had
the vices of their age and country and
| have as little doubt that the time will
soon come, when the custom of war will
be as odious as intolerance and slavery.
Let parents do as much to educate their
children in the principles of peace, as
has been done to ihhame their minds
with love of war--let the turpitude
and brutality of those who seek for glo-
ry in blood, and tears, and groans, be
SO exposed that the Alexanders, the
Caesars, the Fredericks, and the Napo-
Icons shall cease to be objects of enula-
tien; and "wars and Gghtings will cease
throughout the earth" 1t is the duty
of every mother, of every father, and
every instructor of youth to educate
children very different from the pre-
vailiag custom. 1t is the duty of every
individual, Of both sexes and all ages /;
but especially it is incumbent on pub
lie teachers, 10 hold up to general exc
Grafton, the guilty destroyers of the hu-
man race. AT least it is their-duty, on
all suitable occasions, to give their tes-
tlmony against the custom of war;