Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1837-02-01

LEADING PRINCIPLES OF MORAL Re-
FoRM.-It it very important, in order to
secure harmony and efficiency of effort
that the leading principles in the cause of
Moral Reform should be clearly stated
and distinctly understood--important es-
pecially for the intelligent organization
and action of auxiliary societies. The
committee give the following, which have
been regarded as comprising the main
principles of the cause, and to carry out
which, prudentIy, efficiently, and perse-
verlngly, shall be the object of the Parent
Society:
|. That extensive violation of the 9TH
commandment, especially the systematic
righteousness of our cities and the cause
OF this RIGHTEOUSNESS, should be the prom,
lnent object of attack. A blow may be
struck at other and kindred evils, but to
defend the seventh commandment is the
grand object of Moral Reform.
2 That prevention is the only meth
Cd by which the aggressions of this vice
can be successfully met.
3. That full, faithful, yet iudicious
and safely guarded exposure of the vice,
IN its physical, moral, social and national
influence is absolutely necessary in its ex-
termination.
4. Ihat llcentlous men, whose deprav-
lty is the source ofthe evil, ought to de-
mand special attention and call forth spe-
clal efforts from the virtuous to have
them sink to level with their guilty COM
panlons of the other sex.
Such are the principles of the cause OF
Moral Reform, the principles ofthe Amer
lean Society, and Of all kindred Moral
Reform Societies, with which we are &C.
quainted. They are founded in truth and
justice, and this The nation and the world
ere long must acknowledge.
In carrying out these principles, let
none be afraid to adopt the name of Moral
Reform to designate the object for which
they have combined their influence and
associated their efforts. We think bet
ter name might have been found, but as
It has now acquired a technical use, and
ITS meaning is generally understood, we
prefer that our society and our auxiliar-
les should be known by that name than
any other
In carrying out these principles, the
American Society have laid down the nos
ltlon, that all Moral Reform operations
can be and should be conducted with the
str1ctest regard to the principles ola virtu-
Gus dellcacy-that newspa pers and lee
turers upon the subject should be- chaste in
language and sentiment while they bold
ly and tearlessl y attack a monstroTs vice
which aims at the destruction of all puri-
ty IN thought, and delicacy and chastity
IN department. On this principle the
committee of the American Society have
endeavored to conduct its operations so
they would have their paper Speak and 50
would they have their agents breach
On this point the committee confess also
that they have had no little solictude for
while they have felt the importance, thew
have also been aware of the difficulty Of
fully presenting the objects of the societv
without wounding the sensibiIities oftru]y
Vlrtuous minds. We believe that this
mode m of presenting the subject of Moral
Reform in newspapers and before public
assemblies is absolutel y necessary to pre.
serve the virtue Of the American peonIe
and secure the triumph of the cause
Journal Of Public Morals.