Cheraw gazette. [volume] (Cheraw, S.C.) 1835-1838, 1837-08-23
From the Pittsburgh Christian Herald.
SINGULAR AND PORTENTOUS
TIMES

.SlNO Cbah NtNb 1 o1S AA/-> ~ w
TINES.
The following article, from the New
England Spectator, would astonIsh US, If
any thing were surprising in these strange
times. A BOY AND GIRL TO LEAD IN The
REFORMATION.
FORMS OF rPETlTONS FORYoUTH
= "Lct arrangements beinstantly made TO
have the following petitions circulated
throug h the whole land. One boy. aud one
girl in each school district can easily ac-
complish the work.
To: the Senate and House Of Representa-.
tires of the United States.
p The undersigned, minors, of
in the state Of respectfully pray
your honorable body, Immediately to abol,
ish slavery and the slave" trade in the Dis
trict Of Col"mbia, and in all other territories
where you have power1o exercise exclusive
legislation
TO the Senate and House Of representa-.
tires of the United States.
The undersigned, minors, of
in the state Of respectfully pray
your honorable body so to 'regHatee com.
ncfcc among the several Stutes,' that the
ranic in slaves may be immediately pro-
hibued.''
l. Is it possible that any persons, who have not
entirely taken leave of their senses, would
propose petitions from minors to be presented
to Congress, on any subject whatever, and
that too, without limitation Of age, or clrcum-
stances! Who could not 60 through our
cities, towns, villages, farm houses, and schools
and procure millions of names OF children IN
this way, to any thing that might be written
or presented to them, unless their gaurdlans
or parents should be sufficiently watchtul to
prevent the imposition. Parents and guar
dians are not accountable to any but their
final Judge. for what principles they may teach
their children and wards; but to enlist minors
/ in petitiuning Congress on any. subject, and
that, too; without hmItatfonO of age IS certainly
carrying matters step farther than we had
ever imagined wise men or sober men would
attempt.
When we read this proposition, we were
forcibly reminded of the prophesy of Isaiah,
ILL., -. "As for my people children. are their
oppressors and women rule over them."
We greately prefer the following extract
from the same paper to the petitions of chill
dren above recommended. tits part Of
pastoral letter, reported to one Of the General
Associations of New England.
"The appropriate duties and influence
Of women are clearly stated in the New
Testament. Those duties and that in.
hucnce ara unobrusivs and private, but the
sources Of mighty power. When the mild,
dependant softeuing influence of woman
upon the s,ernncss Of mans opinions is fuE-
ly exercised, society feels the effects Of it in
a thousand forms. The power Of woman
is in her dependence flowing fror, the con-
.sciousncss of that weakness which God has
given her for her protection, and which keeps
her in those departments Of life that form
the character ofindividuals and Of the ma
ton. There are social influences which ,fe-
males use in promoting piety and the great
objects Of christian benevolence, which we
cannot too highly recommend. I'VE ap-
pyeciate the unostentatious prayers and
effons Of woman in advancing the cause Of
religion at home and abroad in Sabbath
Schools, in leading religious inquiries TO the
pastor for instruction, and in all such asso.
ciated efforts as becomes the modesty of her
sex and earnestly hope tha: she may abound
more and more in the labors Of piety and
love- But when she assumes the place
and tone of man as public reformer, our
care and protection seem unnecessary, We
put ourselves in self defence against her, she
yields the power which God has g ivcn her
for protection, and her character becomes
unnatural. If the vine, whose strength and
bcauty.is TO hang upon the trellis work and
half concea! its clusters, thinks TO assume
the independence and the overshadlng ma.
ture of the elm, it will not only cease to
bear fruit. bu, fall in shame and dishonor
INTO the dust. ..-'.-.
We cannot, therefore, but regret the mis-.
taken conduct of those who encourage te-
males TO bear an oblrusve and ostentatous
part in measures ofrefornl, and countenance
any of that sex who so far forget themselves
as TO itineraIe inthe character ofpublIc lee.
turers and teachers.
We especially deplore the intimate ac-
quaintancc and proln!scnous conversation
of females with regard 10 things" which
ought not be named ;" by which that mod
csty and delicacy which is the charm of do.
mcs;ic life, and which constitutes the true
influence ofwomcn in society is consumed,
and the way opened, as we apprehend, for
degeneracyand ruin. Wesay these things,
not TO discourage proper influences against
sin, but to secure such reformation as we
believe is scriptural and will be permanent.
Nothing-taNers.-lt is astonishing how
many stupid people You meet in society
fellows with brains in their purses, who will