Maumee City express. [volume] (Maumee City, Ohio) 1838-184?, 1839-12-21
MAUMEE CITY EXPRESS.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER, a1, 1888.

ring the past season has been its fatality to
young men. We consider it ah admonition
which should not be dsregarded. Upon the
young men of the present age there rests
fearful responsibility. The political and
social condition of the whole world is un-
dergoing change. Old institutions esta-
blished, and dependant upon the ignorance
of the people for their perpetmty, and being
broken up by the spread ofintelligence and
knowledge.
The nature and problematic continuance
of our institutions are looked upon abroad
with intense interest. With the present
generation of young men, probably, will
this question be decided. Ifthis is the case
what vast Importance is it, that high
standard of moral character should be the
aim ofevery young man.
In all previous republics continued pro-
sperity has produced luxurious habits, and
dissipation among their inhabitants, and
with the relax Of virtue, the decline of the
liberties of the people may be dated. There
appears to be in our country strong dis
position to luxury; great disregard to the
plain habits of our forefathers. Republi-
cans contend that man is capable of selfgo-
vernment, but it is only so when he is yir-
tuous, and intelligent. Vice and free insti-
tutions cannot coexst.
The decline of morality in the west, and
the almost total abolition ofreligious duties,
when considered in reference to its increa-
sing political Importance, augurs i'll for the
stability of our institutions. 1t issingulal,
yet melancholy, to watch the gradual relax
alton of the morals of an emig.ant who has
always lived under the influence of society
in an exemplary village in the eastern
states. Coming into comnunity devoid
of all religious restraint he becomes intoxi-
Gated with its freedom, and fascinated with
its lawlesness. This ld,pless feeling is
what constitutes the great charm of resi-
dence in the west: and did it extend itself
no farther than to the abolition of fashion
able etiquette, no harm would result flom
it, and its freedom would indeed be luxu-
nv. Should not this fact alarm the friends
of morality, and religionl
The young men in the western country
give character to society; tone to public
} opinion, and upon them rests the RESPONSE
bility of their condition. Should the desire
,, to accumulate wealth be the only object of
your residence in the west, it ought not to
s drown all consideration of the duty we are
-, under to society. Self interest should
: prompt us to regard this duty, if no other
motive, for experience teaches US that a
!, community where dissipation and vice pre-
walls, offers but few, If any facilities for the
accumulation Of riches.
Patriotism, religion and every considera-
' ton which can move a moral and intellec-
9 tua being should be called into action at
=, this period to change the character Of the
! moral and social condition Of the west. To
: the young men belong this effort, and in SC
pleasing task, should they not rise superb
or to the influence around them? The Sc
- ductive influence ofimmorality should also be
n warning and the fear that her syren voice
!, may allure us and conquer our good reso-
lutions.
& Perhaps we may look upon this subject
in more serious aspect than many, if not
y all of our readers, but it is enforced u1or
!. our minds more strongly every time we re.
: cur to it. We are believers in an overruling
{ Providence, and we cannot look upon stri.
e king dlspensations of that Providence
J, without believing they contain some useful
! lesson. What is in futurity for this coun-
}, try we cannot divine, but we have always
}. hoped that our Revolution was the germ Of
}. one which was to extend to the remotesl
! ! limits of the earth. We hope our own per-
n verseness will not change this high antici.
e pation In this light we have looked upor
d the unusual number of deaths among the
3 young men, as prophetic, and we hope thai
# its influence may be happy. lnmaking thil
i nation an ensample to the world, we hope
e that God may not be compelled to iniict
> : upon us the chastisements that He did upor
d his chosen people of old.
= We intend to have copy OF the mex
r number of our paper printed on white cot
j. ton shirting, to send to pretty Miss Victo
n ria of Englands We can imagine the deal
t little creature opening the sheet, with hel
= pretty, little, delicate, white hands, adm
ring the beauty of the workmanship, brush
ing little tear, at the pathos ofthe articles
and then folding 1t up carefully and deposi
ting it safely in her pocket, while she writes
s us an affectionate letter, thanking us fol
Il the honor we have done her, and enclosing
1t the amount of a years subscription In good
, English gold. That letter, we intend t'
e keep, to show to the girls.
u u The 4" Ohio Freeman" Columbus, Johr
!. Duffey editor, pages quarto, Vol. No
I, Dec. 7, 1889. The " Freeman" is moi
:. as large as the "Boston Notion" nor al
T. ,..,lI a, n ton,nora moo tract IL il hiU0er