Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1841-01-21
M T S c e I. L A NJ Y
From the United States Gazette.
THE YEAR 1910.

The records OF the year 1910 have been distin-
gushed by more of crime than any which re
member-more certainly Of "blood outlines" than
any that we have for time of peace When
sometimes recurring TO the number Of murders and
suicides which distinguish the chronicles of the year
now closing, we have enquired whether the sppa-
rent augmentation does arise from the greatly
increased facilities for publication; but conclude
that this is not the for, to say nothing of the
shocking murders that have occurred at some little
distance fiom us, when we would ask, have the
cords of our criminal coutts ever exhibited list OF
from thirteen to twenty indictments for murder in
single year and when, since the estabshnent of
the Office, has the coroner been called hold in
quests over SO many who anticipated the call oil ma
ture, and rushed an unbdden guest to the provision
of another world
Such epidemic of crime will naturally com
! rnand the attention Of the moralist How he will
decide with reference to the ceuse, what he will
propose preventive, venture not pre-
dict. Beyond the surface of things however, it is
evident that the search must be made for the cause
| and the permanent preventive must be applied in
| the domestic circle and at its tenderest parts. Ii
in vain to look for permanent, correction of those
evils in society that spring from want of some
! fixed principles of morality. Chance may pre-
serve, sudden terror check but to ensure not
only the absence of the evil, but confidence in
public morals, the publication must begin at the
fountain head, and the viftuous man, the sound pa
triot, snd the correct citizen, must be moulded at
the firesde. Lord Brougham, in remarking upon
the effects Of early discipline and the force of habit
declares that the man is formed al ak years-after
/ that lie but perfects the shape which he received
I iulhls the destiny prescribed, and exhibits
less, circumstances favor the impress previous
ly given.
Let, then, the various astounding accounts which
we from day 10 day present to our readers instead
of awakening in them vague astonishmeni as 10
the progress of crime, induce in them the fuh ment
OF often formed resolutions train the young Of
their family with such fixed regard to RIGHT
that in their after intercourse with the world, they
shall not readily yield to the influence of unfavora
Bile circumstances and become the victim Of those
passions and appetites, which were in childhood
only hidden, not repressed--let for after dominan-
cy, instead of being bent into the service OF we'll
regulated will.
+" This is an evil generation" says one, who has
been looking into the calendar Of crime and so il
Isl vet the best that can be said Of the past is that
il was careless generation TO allow many TO
grow up with undisciplined minds and uniformed
morals We look not to the accomplishment of the
day dreams Of the enthusiast, that all are to be vir
tuous, and consequently all hsppy--too many incl
dents befal man. to allow Of all keep the path Of
virlue--but We do expect that the lessons of this
year, and perhaps of its predecessor, will send
ny fathers home TO their families fall of the enquiry
whether the happiness which they have vainy
song hi abroad, is be found there by careful
search, and nouIished enlarged influence by that
devotion which is itself great reward, We may
| say Of the present times that men have been built
/ like houses, with greater knowledge of the exter-
nal than of the internal finish and have chased the
phantom of pleasure abroad, when the soul and
body of happiness have escaped their search by
treating to their own 6resides. The utter unproft-
ableness Of the wild pursuit, its anxious, unreward
ed cares, will send the wanderer back, perhaps-
happy indeed If he return before his absence allows
the growth of unlrendly passions there, his
become too much viiiated for the quiet enjoyment
of domestic affections
We grow gloomy and didactic--,he consequence
es, perhaps of Consciousness shat so many years
have closed over us that cannot reasonably hope
to commune in this way with readers many
! more years. Whether few or many, however, let
| US strive TO be useful
If we find many things TO depore in the passage
Of time, besides the passage of tme still there are
many occasions for Fluctuations, public and private.
Health, many comforts, ana good will, are blessings
10 be remembered and our nation. too, has this
year exhibited 10 the world proof that republics
retain in themselves the Of self preservation
we speak without paTty reierence-and besides.
To have also shown, by the exhibit of our CONNER
cIal proceedings that can by industry and econ
omy, redeem ourselves from the thIadom Of foreign
obligations. Years may then pass away, and gen.
| eIations Of men cease, or give way 10 Others but
country and its institutions need only the bless
ings Of Providence, upon the yiruous resolves Of
her citizens to be as perpetual as time.
Oysters, from BALTIMORE are announced to be for
sale in Detroit and are spoken of as a great raritV