The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1842-11-26

VIII onrn with thirst and the COTels yearn
for food. The stomach is canlanker-
GUS beggar, and will not long brook deni-
al The sun will still yield you light
and the earth offers rest upon its bosom,
but unfortunately for you that isn't en-
ough. A most unfortunate improvidenl
and judlcious law OF nature, renders eat
ing indispensable. It was wonderful
full Oversight in the enconomy OF nature.
but it is useless to repne. grieve from
the bottom of my soul that food is neces-
sary but the fact is so, and The question Is.
how are we TO get it. Ii does not grow
cooked upon the bushes, and the Eiggard
earth will not yield even her fruits with
out labor. You cannot, like Nebuchad-
nezzar, eat grass like beast; and, as for
the charity of your lellow-men, that horse
has been already ridden too hard-lhe
spur stroke cannot now rouse HIM. II
is clear that you must do something tor
| yourselves; and with deep and thought
iul anxiety, have pondered painfully
what it should be.
Robbery would offer ready resource,
but most men look it with aversion; and.
in truth, the profession has not been held
honorable for several centuries. The
rivers aud lil.ers Of the Scottish border,
the starkmoss troopers of the Dogs, and
the gallant archer, Robin Hood, with his
merry men of the green wood, cast halo
OF glory around it which even now will
dazzle and charm the fancy; but it is.l1e
general opinion of judicious men, that
this luslre is merltricious, ana will not
bear the test of moral ana vsis. In later
days the profession boosted one shining
light, one brilliant gem, in The person Of
the renowned and chivalrcus Charles de
Moor, who cut throa,s with the delicate
grace of a courlier and rihed purse with
an elegance which made it a luxury to be
robbed. The hero of the black forests,
It's dark dells still ring with his leasts.
The QuixCte of cut-tlIroats the Bayard of
Brigands, The Corsair of the shore, the
lover of ladies and theme of song, his
name is embalmed in tradition, and his
glories hymned in the gorgeous numbers
of intoxicating verse. But his exploits
alone have not won him his fame and the
lingering lus're which still plays over his
memory, is tribute as much to his biog-
Iapher as to him. His feals are emilia
zoned on the pictured page Of the illus
trious Schiller, and it is the living light
which CLEANS through the poets verse,
which is but reflected upon the Brigand's
deeds. The garlands which still glow
fresh and green over the robbers grave,
are not clustering around him, but were
woven as q chaplet for The child of song.
Since the days Of this romantic adventure
err, the profession has been much degra-
ded by the u'gari,y Of its followers; and
after the career Of the grea, Turpin had
closed, but few gentleman have adopted
it regular calling. In our own state,
too, there is very general prejudice
against it, in consequence Of the injudi-
cious severity which was manifested five
or six years ago, by Alonzo Phelps, who
was certainly i'll some respects very
rigorous practitioner. 1t cannot be denied,
that on both sides of Ike Atlantic, the
general voice Of society, through its &C
credited agent. Parliament or Legs-
lature, has been decidedly against it, and
has formally expressed its dsapproval Of
the custom in the shape Of various en-
actmcnts, with the penalties therein men
toned. A Parliament or Legislature
must he esteemed to form their decisions
on wise and deliberate reflections, and its
opinion is, therefore, entitled to great
weight ] will not combat it; and, in
preference to an argument on the sub
lect against such authority, will at once
admit irankl v and without qualification,
that robbery is very reprehensible pro-
(essian, which an enlightened policy re-
quires should be discouraged.
Stealing, too, am not prepared to vim
dicate. 1t is generally considered, and
most law writers maintain. that the rig hts
of property are absolute. As matter of
policy, at any rate, most Governments
cave recognised, by legal enactment, the
distinction between meum and tenn, and
have declared that disregard of that dis
tinction should be discountenanced. This
opinion has been general among civilized
nations, with, think, but one exception.
The ancient Spartans inculcated theft as
virtue, but doubt whether it would be
so considered at the present day, even
among the most philosophic; and most
certainly different opinion prevails a.
mong the unreaecling vulgar. They form
their opinions from the code of customs
which exist around them, and not being
imbued with classic lore, would but
slightly regard the authority of even the
wise maxims OF I.ycurgus, though their
eternal voice speaks through the vista of
hoary ages. That class of the commull>
iy is very numerous, and prudence re-
quires that even their prejudices should
;; be regarded.