Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1842-09-22


ruin are inevitable, and the American Eagl
abandons her proud position among the armo
rial emblcms Of the older nations of tn,
world
But how shall this sterling devotion to tn,
maintenance of public virtue be sustained
whence spring the danger adverted TO, ant
land
trace the evil to an infidel perversion q
The very spirit OF our free institutions, whicl,
Tor forty years past, has been nsidiously die
iusing ltsell through our whole social system
First, relaxing parental authority, and the Jus,
government of the Domestic circle: enterino
next our schools and sGkiinaries of learning
depressing the authority offi,e teacher, and
eieVatlng the independence Of the pupil; thence
passing TO our ecclesiastical bodies, turnino
aside the ancient discipline and overturnine
the ancient S Ss!sss, eS@psfsIgSu End 5aya af;
angry controversy, aud afterwards flowing in
mischievous maiignity over the surface of the
political world, the vast mass of the public
mind and sentiment. Here is the evil which
now threatens, and more than threatens the
peace and order of American society. call
1t false, infidelnotion OF liberty, derived not
from the word of God or the Constitution of
>~O'SA'hhShte out llOtu Il pCTNCIStOu oI tllc
spirit OF our free Institutions born in revolu-
tionary France, but fostered now in America,
and which, fear. as a desolatng popular de-
fusion, will yet battle the world in blood, be-
fore it is hushed TO rest; FOR il this destructive
and delusive error reaches maturity, govern
ment ceases to exist, and the civilized world
will hold America responsible for the results
! should be happy in being pointed to II
single form OF authority either domestic or So
ciai, civil or ecclesiastical, natural or conven-
tionai, state or national, which has not been
weakened, or at least shaken by its influence.
lie parent iamenls the growing difficulties
oil domestic discipline, and the master the loss
oi necessary control over his apprentice. The
child too early asserts his liberty, and crows
up a stranger 10 the habit of obedience; while
the apprentice is but half taught the art which
he was too free to receive at the humliatinq
cost OF the necessary subordinatlon 1t al
most seems that those restraints which were
once thought salutary, now serve but to teach
mankind INSTRUMENTATION. Easy facilities for
obtaining divorce, invite. to the frequency of
appeals for uncl:sping the marriage contract;
while the chartered rights of investments ded-
Icated to benevolent and literary purposes, are
allowed to be alienated or invaded and of
course, a large artery Of pious benevolcnce is
Ike to be Theoretically sealed.
teachers of youth are painfully conscious
OF accommodating perplexity, and lose much
Tune IN sadly Intellectual discipline which might
struction,
submit to every dispassionate and reflect
ing mind. what, under such influence. can we
look for in the mass of the community. buI
frequent violence, characterization and tlisre
gard for wholesome law and public authority:
IN other words, fear(ully rapid strides of lber
ty towards Righteousness when parental
scholastic, and ecclesiastical authority are
broken down and trampled in the dust If
the discipline of the family, the school, and
the sanctuary of God is relaxed what of evil
may we not expect in country and under
government like ours (? lf our youth grow up
strangers TO that wholesome restraint which
trains the mind to habits of order, said 10 be
heaven first law, what has the teacher TO ey
pect when that youth is transferred TO his care?
And II, during the period Of academic and col
legIate culture, that youth refuses the mea-
sures OF control so indispensable at This sea-
son, and passes from the college to the world.
perfect novice 10 all principles of obedience
To authority, what has society to expect from
him twill he, who has been lawiess from
his very cradle, be law-Ioving citizen, when
surrounded by the tempting popular evils of
our day No, my friends, we are not so
weak as TO look for changes of character.
have no forebodngs for our free institu-
tons, SO long as love of order, and devotion
to the preservation Of public authority take The
lead, animated and sustained by The solemn
sanctions of religion and the noble breathing Of
patriotism, but if these give way and rccede
before the frenzied forms of lawIess violence
we as people are gone, and the hope of the
world will expire or family live, amid the dy-
ing embers of American greatness seem to
view the genius of our country, looking from
her lofty sphere with calmness and composure
mingled with pity, on Europe in arms, and
Asia and Africa in chains In her face not a
single feature indicates the least apprehension.
But when her eye turns from abroad and ira
verses the moral and political aspect of our
land, the expression of conscious security is
exchanged for one of deep anxiety. read in
her countenance the warning which seems TO
say, NO foreign meopon can ever inGict n
wound upon the vitals Of American freedom.
but may the God of nations save us from the
Inglouous grave of national suicide.