Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Mass.) 1828-1830, 1830-04-13
FOR THE LANCASTER GAZETTE.
OUR OPINIONS---NUM XVII.
HHu tH0y TtSOIVtu, anu Tt-TcsOIV0U
Their Opinions all were true;

| W N OPlNlON See. ~ u M bfsh AVl1s
! And they resolved, and re-resolved
Their Opinions all were true;
But the best resolve they ever made
! Was resolve to bid adieu.
We met the other evening to. discourse
upon matters and things in general and Our
Opinions in particular, but, being aware of
that philosophical law which teaches that
particulars should always precede generals.
1--WE don't mean the military law, for there,
we believe, generals 60 frst) we thought
best to succumb little to the importance of
the case, Notwithstanding our well known
love of scandal, and forthwith all three of US
made full dive upon the visible effects that
have been consequent upon the publication of
/" Our Opinions" as any effect should follow
cause. Neither did we grasp at shadow.
No! we proved satisfactorily that not one
word has been written in vain, not a hint
been thrown out that has not been taken up
and acted upon. One indeed, we must con-
fess, thought there had once or twice been
too rough handling, and that we might as
wei! have used sharp knife as coarse saw !;
but still no one of our trio had the least
doubt Of the good and permanent effect re-
sulting from our numbers upon our conmu-
nifty. We rejoice that we have been of so
much use in our day and generation. Where
have been any disputes and family animosi-
ties on washing days since our first number !?
Has not the vinegar Of discord and wry-fa-
ces been turned back into the cruet, while
the milk, we should say the cream, of human
kindness has been poured lavishingly out ?
Has not the attention of all been more close
and fixed to the pulpit than to the pews
Has there not been less smiling in Gods
house, unless in the case of those who may
be called Incurables? Who ever heard
such true digniied, philosophical, literary, g.
scientifck conversation as we now have,
where before was nothing but iddle-de-dum,
and when not fddle-de-dnm, why fiddle-de-
dee, to be sure? Where will you find neat
ness and simplicity in dress that will match
that of our girls? Neither among Quakers
or Shakers. You see nothing like dash,
nothing like frippery, no costly silk to tar
nish the native loneliness of their features.
We think in this respect we have rendered
incalculable service to our fair sisterhood
Where will you, again, see any thing like
we almost choke at thought Of it, but it shall
come out-straight lacing? Our girls are
healthy, and we can trace the effects of our
numbers in the bright, vigorous look of their
countenances, and in the graceful, easy, and
unaffected motion of their bodies. Again,
have there not been marriages? Have not
bachelors left US in the lurch upon the way
side, while they retire to the sweetest bow
ers? Things have not, to be sure, "meek
sanctifcation" about them, as one of our
numbers expresses it, but they wear live
ly, genuine spirit. To sum up all in few
words, have not our numbers been of the
utmost Importance in every respect? team
not be denied. We pause for reply. We
hope to see the same healthful effect from
some of our recent numbers, and mistake if
they are not already beginning TO be felt.
Let us not be mistaken for one moment in
any thing we have said. We are no boast
ers, that every one knows; neither do we
wilfully exagerate the matter, though all
friends of total abstinence. We have been
attacked twice publickly, and for my single
self am inclined to think that my partners
left me in the lurch on both those occasions,
and played sort of states evidence. We
have now concluded to stop our numbers,
which have brought the health and vigour
of the community to that happy equilibrium
that one number more or less would be in
jurious-in fact, death-blow. Here, then,
we part.
Before dissolving our meeting great ma
ny resolves, counter resolves, and re-re-
solves were passed, among which we resolv-
ed to publish only the following:-
Resolved, That, considering the remarka-
Bile erect OF "Our Opinions upon the COM
munity, they be recommended to all, espe-
cially to any that have the blues.
Resolved, That, if any gross violation Of
them be detected, we do not ause legal or
other means" to enforce them, but that we
meet for consultation.
Resolved, That the thanks Of this meet
ing be given to /" First" Second" and
"Third," and that, considering the present
happy state Of equilibrium in the feelings Of
all concerned, one number more would be
intellectually. and consequently that not
one number more of Our Opinions" be
published. THIRD.