The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1844-06-27
For the Voice Of Freedom.
PRINCIPLES OF PEACE..-NO. IS.

as 10 eXtirpate the practice Of war from Oul
world? We answer, by the education q
the rising race. The matured christian
with his Bible, his closet and his God, may
eradicate the principles Of war from his SEN
timent and his practice, but he can never
eface their impress from his mind until the
last remnant of native depravi,y is purged
away. Can the Ethiopian change his skin,
or the leopard his spots p All experience
has shown, that early education, early Gus
toms, and associations give to the mind, and
especially TO the public mind, bent, from
which subsequent scenes can never divest
it. This the war-maker has fully under
stood and appreciated. Napoleon, as he
contemplated his career, heard this word
dropped-'France wants mothers.' The
expression as with magic influence filled
the mind Of that extraordinary man. The
emblems-o of chivalry were soon made TO fill
the toy shops Of France. Mothers soon
chaunted the sweet war monody over the
cradle, and amused THEN infant charge with
the little trumpet, sword, drum, or martial
| flag, and thus inspired their sons with a
taste for martial glory. Turn a page and
you see the youth Of France exuIling in
their con1ueror and painting to share his
glory. Another page, and the scenes of
Borodno and Waterloo, close their career.
But Napoleon was not first, or alone in such
a work. Men have ever been led into this
delusion by the influences and instructions,
of early life. And yet so insidious has often
been its course as scarcely TO be perceived.
! Let US mole ii in few instances. Take a
christian mother Who has resolved to make
it her first business 10 bring up her son in
the fear, nurture and admonition Of the
Lord. She procures the most approved lit
| lie volume 10 her aid; and proceeds by
times, Zine upon line, precept upon precept.'
Al length she begins 10 discern the fruit of
her toll. The child answers one question,
perhaps this, Who killed Goliah David.
And with ready and flexible mind in
qures, Was not David wicked TO kill Coli
ali? Here succeeds an explanation, which
| perhaps brings out from the parent some Ct
the first lheorems of the war de!uson and
the whole story exhibits an aIiuring picture.
David is presented active, valiant, prosper
Gus; connects himself with the family of a
king, becomes a king himself, in favor
with God and man. The child learns to
answer another question, perhaps this Who
was the strongest man? Samson, for be
will first catch such questions. And what
says the little one could Samson do Ans
other narration confirms the impressions
made by the former, and The little child goes
/ from his lesson, pleased that he has al length
! found some license from his pious and con,
sciencious parent, (whom he regards his or
acle,) tor the Indulgence OF his pride and os-
! tenlaton. For these passions have begun
already to initiate his litlle spirit. And such
license, may perhaps defend, and continue
to defeId his wrong and ambitious purposes
from The febukes Of conscience and the law
IF God, even 10 mature age. At the same
time the mother may go from the task I'M
conscious Of The fact, and pleased with the
| thought that her child is beginning 10 ac-
quire'a knowledge Of Scripture history. If
the war spirit be thus sown and terminate
in the nursery of the pous, unperceved -
who can wonder OF lis luxuriant growth
among the careless multitude ? AS the
child advances TO youth, his holiday scenes
are. those of chivalry. He sees military
pomp, and grandeur employed, TO show re-
spect 10 civil, as well as military disinc-
tons; to commemorate great and splendid
national events; and in eulogY, and in
song, and in defamation, displayed as the
emblem of earthly honor. BY such course
the child advances to be soldier, HERO
What is the remedy but to ferret out those
subtle workings and correct the course Of
education. In giving instruction, the great
care should be that the dictates of reason, of
conscience, and the word of God, ever be
made TO hold precedence over all The pas.
sions, that stimulate the human breast. The
rational nature Of man, should still be kept
upon the throne, and not only anger, osten-
tation, and revenge, but even the love of
popularity, and lis dictates, should be kept
subordinate. This principle, must be car
red, not only through the instruction. more
appropriately private, domestic and reli-
giouS, bui be sustained with an unyielding
consistency and carried through all that per-