Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Mass.) 1828-1830, 1828-09-23
INSTANTANEOUS.
FROM THE WORCESTER SPY, BY REQUEST.
ON WILLS AND TESTAMENTS.

them ordered to be printed before it be-
came law, making some further provis-
ions in the distribution of estates by last
will and testament. AS this bill will be
duly considered by the competent author
ity, we will not at this time enter into any
discussion of its details probably they
would be considered as inexpedient by
large majority of our fellow-citizens. Per-
haps any further Legislative enactments
would be viewed as an unwarrantable in
reference with one of our inaleinable
rights, that of acquiring and disposing Of
property at the pleasure of each citizen.
Under the existing laws, manifest inius-
tice, as well as enormous wickedness. it is
believed, is too often done; and, to pro-
tect our friends and neighbours from thus
" SHINING in their graves" it is thought the
publick attention should be awakened up
on this subject.
We have no objection to see our pub
lick institutions better endowed, nor our
charities more literally supplied nor should
any one be censured in providing for his
children permanent establishments, to en-
able them honourably to sustain the rep
utation of their families, and the standing
of their ancestors. These are all praise
worthy deeds but they should never be
obtained at the sacrifice of justice, equity,
and the future peace of families. That
these great principles have been often Vi
olated, the proceedings of our judicial tri-
bunals too frequently attest, and the histo-
ry of almost every village bears fearful
testimony to the fact. 1t IS believed that
alterations among brethren, and sever
ing of those peculiar ties that connect near
relations together, can be traced more fire.
quently to this cause than to any other.
The pernicious consequences that follow
the dissolution of these tender relations,
need not be depicted, for awful examples
are around us on every side. 1t is the
baleful mildew that bligMs the virtues of
the young and confiding the great moral
disease of our body politick. from whence
springs that dire array OF angry passions,
which are continually disturbing the quiet
of neighbourhoods, and introducing par
ties Of the worst character into the COM
munity. We would not be understood as
implying a censure upon any body of men,
or of diminishing the influence of any one
who is striving to increase any of our pub
lick funds. So far as they proceed with
fairness and honesty, we wish them God
speed. We allude more particularly to
an influence of different and more ma
lignant character. The undue solicita-
tons ofnear connexions and family friends
over diseased or naturally debilitated
relative, to induce him to an arrangement
ofhis viii in manner that would be disap-
proved by his Judgment when in the vigour
OF health, and the full possession OF his
faculties. There are those that nature
and necessity compel us to draw around
our dying beds, and in whom we are
obliged to confde. II is difficult in the
hour of languishment to shut the ears to
the slanderous reports about one child, or
to the undue praises of another. Prelude
ces are thus created in the mind.
The consequences of indulging favour
itism for child are strongly depicted in
the history of almost every family, from
the time of I" the coat of many colours"
to our own day; and its pernicious policy
is never more manifest than in its inf1u-
ence upon parents in the distribution of
their property Every days experience
shews us that unmerited bounty never
creates reverence or respect for the ances-
tor in the bosom of the pampered object
of his misplaced affections, nor is it apt to
inspire stronger inducements to industry,
economy, or enterprise in the child. On
the contrary, its most usual effect, next to
an arrangement of all the benevolent
feelings and fraternal sympathies, is
contempt for the memory of the mistaken
father, even to a. disregard of his trlfiing
wishes, his solemn injunctions, and in
many cases to neglect of that usual to-
ken Of respect, the placing stone to mark
the spot where his desecrated ashes are
deposited the estates that were intend
ed to perpetuate the name and generosltyof
the donor, are suffered 10 decay, or be
wasted in expensive litigation, and, either
in riotous dissipation or sullen misanthro-
py, the miserable legatee drags out a
wretcht d existence, reciprocally despislng
and despised.
Now the object of this communication
is to suggest few plain rules to guard
against this direful train of calamities.
|. Every man, whose estate is such as
would be distributed by the standing laws
respecting intestates, in a manner not to