Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1829-05-09

Il
and the greas law q expediency. but there is
danger, lost the natives Of India Concentrating tho
MATTER through cpsies peculiar to themselves, and
w',n sensitive jealousy from the slightest
INVASION OF their religious institutions should not dis
between projects laid before the legislature,
ano their actual legislative adoption. They ure too
Iie schooled in our political constitution, and have
oecn nurtured to maxims Of government too dsso-
hant from the frame and gonius of ours separate
an act done pormissivey under the state, from the
solemn and authentic oct Of the state ITSELF That
which is permitted, they will enormously, but with
toned. = -
Assuredly, the sacrifice Of the Hiudoo widow is a
dreadful rite. But, shocking as it is to the moral
taste, its horror is in some degree diminished by its
being purely voluntary. It il right also to Observe
that it is not impcratvcly enjoined by the Hindoo
law: Onthe contrary, one Of tho most authoritative
OF their sacred texts Declares that "a wife, whe.
Their she ascends the funeral pile Of her deceased
lord, or survives for his benefit THAT is 70 perform
| a perpetual course of cxpiatory ceremonies in
his bchalf "is still faithful wife" It is, in fact
voluntary martyrdom, considered highly merit
| orious' ond comforting great distinction, but by
no means duty Of strict obligation Nor is il an evil
OF such very frequent Occurrences as it has been re-
presented IL will be found indeed to occur rarely
II the Immense population Of Hindoston Proper is
taken INTO consideration. IL was most unfair COM
putaton adopted by the missionaries, when they took
the number of immolations in particular province
and then multiplied them by equal extents through
the whole area OF India. 1t is a prerogatvc also
pre- to undergo OH examination into the chastity
and fidelity of their lives, which every wife can
not conveniently submit to. Besides this, there are
many provinces where it has been g. in
Others even IN some of the northern ones seems to
be gradually wearing itself out. In all probability
Will sink into desuetude altogether unless Of
those nludclous interpretations Of authority, which
the petitioner invokcs ardentiy, should rckndle
the fanaticism in which it originated. When Mr.
Bernert visited India during the Moguf government
more widows sacrificed themselves in one year. and
IN single province, than have sacrificed themselves
within the last twenty years throughout the whole
country. The Suffice is prohibited also within GER
tain distances Of the Presidencics. Beyond this, il
would be unwise 10 extend interference. On the
other hand mild remedies are frequently found to
coed with fanaticsms much more detestable than tfis
w hat world Of wisdom did the old Senate Of ONE
IN their memorable decree against the most execra-
BILE ceremonies that ever dishonourcd the name Of
religion bcqueath to the knights-crrant of too Off
cious philanthropy! Isl qus tale sacrum solenne
ct necessarium duccret, sine relgoue ct piacuo
Sc i'd on,tterc," &c. &c. The whole may be seen in
I.ivy.
Those who have described the Suffice with the view oecrv
ing the Hndoo religion in general charseabe with hav
ing gwen too tan coiorn to their pictures But absurd
against whole religious The Hndoos the main
spring Their religion or of their habits bu, their eon
imperfect is, when compared purer morality or
efficient sanctions of our own must moi be excluded n
the influences have Character Their saeI
books contain the leading ethical philosophy
ed the varied forms apophhcsn acgory and precep
Conugal duty, temperance parental da aection hosp
tally enemies the whole category of ors
are strongly enforced and beautifully ncucated II would he
unfair to deliver the whole system up ndscrmnae condem
nation account Of this usage uman as Ills With enuol
justice, an enemy of the Christian faith spirit of por
phyry might against the uhumanes that have been
committed in It's name To of this description what
topic would he the horrd sacrifice prevalent Chris
tendon, and still lingering parts H. that dooms youth
and beauty the gloom OF the convent With what nice touch
Is might he not dScbe the living DEATH in comparison with
which the flame that the Hindoo is mild and
mecifuE How might he dilaie the susngs Of the victim
wnene very image OF oy every vision Of hope
ever from her view and the vers enthusiasm which lifted her
Tor awhile above the world begins to subde and its beloved
scenes Of home of friendship Of love- vain her re-
men6erance IL is IN this spirit and With such
nat me Hmdoo re has been clothed In horrors its
Tor this purpose the victim is usually presented the
flower of YOUTH he uhuuanity would be less v regard TO an
erng steps to her deahbda with all the ngesins after life
natural TO the vcna season Of it, and bidding eternal fare
well TO IFS pleasures, its duties its connexions
Thess however, pangs to witch the Hndoo widows on
Sich occasions inassive There scarcely
seem TO have betrayed the co1pIcos vi.nss nature or
the slightest wish to abandon their resolve, although the latest
of relative, and friends are often united With the Ienoo
ances of the Brahrnhs to invite them back life du
be called lifo, ih she az surviving widow
has nothing in il 10 make death, its appalling form an
hisd up by an uneesng round OF Ceremonies in hononr Of
her departed husband II this fearful perspective rendering
joined the honorable distinction both aud heafter a.
tached the mayrdom that, acting upon enebled and
fatal determination; under such circumstances be de-
MED 20 be powerful motive. unless
"The ,c,driest aud most fosta'nrs tr4cpy Eje
Tat oge, ache penu,y, n'ld iD1Pris0men'
Can lay on Nature, is paradise
TO whHt we fclr Of deuM."
Add 20 this that by the decisions nj snIe rso rus
bic to the fears and agonies Of her dissolution She
place in her husbands in Heaven the
ePiho OF Sadwi good and faithful" hls' by vicarous suf
ie5ng that scarcely exceeds few moments duration,
deems him from thousand years o pugaoy aud is adred
10 his society into the seats Of the hese ill ihey al.
soroed into the ondls nny Of Nature, the inable ocean
Of eternity, and become again portions ofhe dscd crcare
power that sustans and Ienovates the universe Amidst such
oeatc VISIONS she knows ofdeah and every
Of worldly pain satisfaction is lost IN the
dream OF lItUrity. 20
MIS- >, the accomplished lady OfNr $, the AJvo-
cave General at Calcutta, present this singular
ceremony Being OF Portuguese extraction, end entirely ed.
ca'eh ~ nsa, she was skilled in all the native languages bit
particularly convesant with the Hindoannee She attended
upon this mournf occasion w benevolent hope of divert
ny ne poor victim from her resv and for that purpoe
requested conference with her. which was readily GRANTED
mol only by her relatives, Who seemed equally anxious 20 dis
suade her from H. but by the ofciatng Erahmns The prc
parstons had been already cpmpleicd; the pile consisting of
hggots heaped other hcir n 6nIr Ge, q