Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1829-02-20

not be denied When the propensity exists
habi, may exert powerful agency. The iac'
Of its progressing with the increase OF poPuIa'
ton, is strong argument i'll favor OF ITS nam
raj eristence; md, in truth, may De viewed as
conclusive. The writer, therefore, is OF oP,>
MON, that all persons are mol consu'u'ea VIII"
tie same natural propcnsities: that some are
more prone 10 vice Than others. "heh you
meet with an extensive community, enlleE
vir,uous and free from all MOI al ohliqu'ty, 'ht
peculiarly must b. ascribed 10 the character OF
the government. Vice certainly exists, al ieas'
propensity 10 vice, and this propensity 10
suppressed either by the nature oil ne Jaws or
the force Of example. IT is not, however D!
the force Of example, that those VIII" ale na'u
rally virtuous, are induced 10 deNa'e RON
their course: such examples are always rePu'
sive; or, to use the language oil Pope,
''Vice is monster of such hdeous mein.
''rhat, to be hated, needs but TO be seen;
bu, il is by the force Of example that The vir
tuous are reclaimed. We may actoun., tnen,
for the fac; of lis bearing'a pr"Port'ors" 'ne
population Of country in the single remark,
that there are o number Of individuals, In every
community, naturally inclined 10 VICE; and that
these individuals are anxious TO avail them,
selves of every possible Indulgence granted
them by the laws. BY applying then, this rea-
soning 10 the assemblage OF individuals usual
ly met with at Theatres, we perceive, at once,
that many doubts in regard TO the moral ten
dency Of such institutions, are clearly and sa-
tisfactorily explained. ehave admitted, that,
where the natural propensity exists, vice may
be either increased or suppressed by the force
of example Ii has been else~ here determined.
that Theatrical representations ale. in their ma
lure, highly moral; or, il not, are certainly
strictly neutral, in regard TO TIE production OF
evil If, then, this is sdmilted, what is The ex-
ample OF those in the habit Of attending Aea-
tres? We see tina, no evil can, in any manner,
spring from the play itself. If no good is ef-
fected, no one viii Affirm that evil must be the
result. But such, it were absurd even TO ina
gine.-Some benefit is experienced. We haze
accounted for the excess Of vice in Tree govern
menis, by The general disposition Of those hav-
ing natural propensity 10 carry il to ;he extent
allowed them by the laws This is found TO Ae
the case every where. Is II not evident, then,
that those who have the misfortune TO be in
cluded in This number, would lind numerous
resorts elsewhere, far more desirable, for the
purposes Of dissipation, than lhea're!-
There are no instruments OF vice-no gamh-
ling tables, or any thing of this SORT, by which
habits of inlemprrance could be promo -
While they are attending Theatre, therefore,
il is, in Whatever light considered,a temporary
suspension from vice. This, th,n, is clear
gain, md indie penden, Of any fec, 'har my be
produced by the moral Of the play. Bu others
contend, that the propensity will finally brcome
a habit. Granting i, to be tie tase,-is amy
thing gained by SUCH concession? Certainly
not. Should i, becom~s hahi, with those who
would b+ovYsi suous and disspa'ed, the effect
.ri@ al le pre- NIL rgumen, in favor OF The
hove, that attending Thratre Occasionally
is a temporary suspension from vice, SO i, is
evident, that should this propensity become
habit, the suspension would be Of longer dura-
ton.
ITO be continued,)