Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1837-04-11
Liceatiou,ness- Moral Reform.-W

Liceatiousnea- Moral Reform.-We
have been applied 10 by gentleman resi-
ding al a distance Tor information with re-
gard TO The character snd tendencies Of the
Systematic efforts now moking, in our city
4 and elsewhere, for the repression Of Ii
centiousness throughout the country. We
eheerulIy undertake the task which he has
! imposed oD us, but must decline attempting
IL in the precise manner which he indicates
that Of publishing his communication en-
| brsSing series Of circums,antial interrog-
otores. md giving to each a distinct and
ma ocular answer. Our acquaintance with
The operations which have been carried on
under the title g Mora, Re!afm is not SUI
ficien,ly definite for this, AMI the pecC!!ar
character Of the subject does not incline hs
40 be very minute ia our statements or YER
hose in our speculations in regard to il.
Generally, thsn-The Moral Reform ef-
I.r,s were commenced in thi. city some six
or seven wears since, by persons Of most
praiscworhy iuu.ires. but Of more ques-
tons Bile judgement AMI discretion. The
imputaton OF reckessness or dishonesty in
any shane was never more unjustly applied
than 10 them, but It is painfully true that
some OF their earlier publications were
rather calculated to outrage dclicacy and
good taste than To correct vicious propcns
Ties. But no more of thst-Fhe entire di-
rec,on of these efforts has now passed into
other hands, guided by wiser heads, though
not nUved by purer hearts. The AdvO-
cate OF Moral Reform is now edited by a
lady OF eminent qualifications, against
avhom even The tongue OF rbald liberiin-
ism daee not breathe a whisper OF evil
Ne very seldum see the work; but we feel
assured that under such auspices il can
cos,ain nothing offensive 10 the most ref
ned purity.
We might prefer to atop here, bull our
interrogation desires particular Information
with regard to the character of the readers
OF the Moral Reform publications, and the
influence of such works upon the morals Of
the community. On this head, we can on
ly give an opinion, and this founded almost
entirely on theorJ rather than observation.
We see no more reason 10 believe that the
Advocate is read by the vicious Tor the
qualification of their depraved fancies than
that portions of the Scriptures are perver-
ted to the same unholy purposes, nor to
condemn the one on account OF its suscep-
tlblliiy OF sucn perversion than the olher.-
As 10 the Influence OF such work, 50 lar
aus a re(orna ton Of the utterly vile is con-
Gerned, we have little faith in il, nor, we
presume, have the supporters OF the Advo-
cate. Its object is rather to place the IN
s.ocent aaL virtuous on their guard against
1he arts Of the liccn,ious and abandoned,
and to create healthful anc stern public
sentiment which shall drive from all Writ
Gus and reputable society the pronigaie and
lberline--ihe prowling se1ucer as well as
his unfortunate victim. This eiirt we
cannot but regard as most rig lleous ard
salutary one why should not its success
be practicable?
Our correspondent seems TO question the
proprety OF on ndiscriminate perusa oil
works of this class in families, and more
distinctly the policy Of denouncing lcen-
tiousness from the pulpit. So far as iam-
lies are concerned, the parents alone IRE
proper judges in the first instance OF the
mode and manner Of impariiag instruction
on this as on every other subjuct. Much
good and much evil may result from ma
king this common topic OF instruction anc
admoni,ion. We doubt no; there is 4
more excellent way There is no salulary
truth unfit 10 be communicated 10 rightly
constituted mind, in proper language, ant
under proper circumstances. This llmlla-
ZION is as clear in grammar or ma!hematic
as in morals. As 10 the ministers OF reli-
gion, they probably understand their du
ties willroui any dictn,on from our cores
pondenl or oursel. II there are any pariic
ular number oil the Commandments, les
uhan the entire Ten, which il is incun. ben
ON them TO PROFOUND and enforce, leavin;
the residue 10 take care of themselves, The,
doubtless know il. But in any case, w
hold that il is no more violation Of deli
cacy TO denounce publicly the vile craft q
the liberllne, than The more violent hut M
more aggravated outrage Of the highway
man or The murderer.-.Ne,s- Yorker,