The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1845-05-30
Correspondence Of the Free Trader.

- ''N '0'5N' "''y VI Si4H tAS HS w
administration pursucs It's course modeslly
that it does not even nt!Jrd excitement enough 10
relieve tie tcdium Of the dull routine Of every DAY
life. The votaries Of pleasure are making lhciI
arrangements for their customary tours to the
springs the falls, aud the various summer resorts.
The business men all pursuing their various
methods Of making dollars aud cents; and oil.
wears the appearance Of avery commonplace sea-
son. Business continues good, though not flush.
The city is growing very rapidly, and ,hcy are
building Up whole streets at lime, in the upper
part Of The city. There is more than an average
quantity of shipping, and the number of packets
aud vessels nov building is greater than at any
former season. 1t is a gloriors sight to see The
tends FOR miles and miles along the whafGs. The
tim built, straight rigsed highly finished vessels
that sit 50 gracefully upon the water, denote the
handiwork Of American genius. Every citizen
may well point to them with pleasure aud PRIDE
as they walk the water, with swelling canvass
aud streaming pennarts; and whoever watches
| The case with which they are manned. and Oh.
serves the activity strength and fine, healthy op-
pcarancc Of the American sailor, will become full
ly satisfied that the same prowoss and victory
would mark their achievements, if war should
come, that attended the career Of a Perry, Balm
bridge, Decatur, and McDonough. Our navy
must ever be tho hulwarh of our defence, aud il
should he cherished with affection, and supported
with Iibcraty.
With all the wealth, cocrprisc, prosperity and
splcndr OF this great city, there is within It's lin
its a moral wreck, dcbased condition. and hor-
riblc dcprayity, lhal may well signazo it as the
modern Sodom. Murders, suicides, and seduc-
tons, are becoming every day occurrences; to
say nothing Of the numberess petty cs that
are committed at all times, even in broad day. in
the most thronscd thoroughlaTes. 4 band Of ruff
Ian bandiui, have gathered here from all quar-
tcrs, because they find they can commit their
crimes with greater IMMUNITY than in any other
part Of the United States. The restraints of law
are becoming mere farce, and it is becoming diff
iieuIt to tell which is the greater villain, the pc.
ICE Jr detected criminal. a day or two since it
was elected OH a ual for murder, that two police
men were aware ofthe crimes being committed
and Of all the particulars at the time, and yet the
murderer was allowed TO go at large for several
months without their giving information The
drunkenness and dtbauchory which meets the
eye in all the public streets, affords but a sorry
IL, 1. H. r.,
moral reform societies.
But amid all this moral waste, there arc few
green spots to relieve tho eye aud gladden. the
heart, viz. the charitable institutions in and
fcigned pleasure thanks TO the polite attention OF
Mayor Mcayymeycr. II the cold and selfish heart
Of man remains at all susceptible to the better feel.
ings of his nature no object " i'll tend so quick to
make its tender cords vbratc as the suntrings OF
misforiunes Of fellow being, The paiutve wall
Of the lonely orphan will touch the heart Of the
mos, uniccling; the wild con,or,ions, frey eyes,
and dreadful shrieks of the maniac, will make the
most proud aud arrogant trcmblc, and feel hum
bled by the reflection that a moment may deprive
them Of that fral though boastel gift, reason
the sad aud melancholy features of the uufurtu.
nate blind, who are forever denied The light OF
heaven and the beauties of creation, make the be-
holder fully sensible Of the blessings he enjoys,
and he feels iervent gratitude towards the Giver
Of all good, aud knows better how to prize the
blessing Of sight aud appreciate the loyellness OF
nature.
On visiting the Farm School found about
500 chIllrc in oil, most Of them orphans or
foCnllngs. They are well provided with Inn
food and clothes, and instructed in oil the branch
es OF common school education. The discipl ne
Is perfect; NJ brutal whipping; but n spirit Of
emulition is awakened, and The good opinion of
his mates and teachers is tho incentive to make
each pursue a course of rcciiludc. Every boy
knows well that his s,anlns depends On his con.
duct, and II is in fact little republic controlled
by public opinion. This is by far more powerful
and salutary than corporeol punishment. Whip
child, and you break his spirit and make him
feel degraded; but encourage and excite his am
hitlon, and the better and nollcr feel ngs of his
nature will be cultivated aud stimulated, and he
will feel pride in doing right and winnng APP
probation. The children at this school are kept un.
til they are at suitable age TO be bound out, when
they are placed with the farmers or mechanics of
the ncighboring county. Many that have been
bound out in this way, are now lawyers and doe
tors, and some of them are becoming the first men
in the state. What an crrand of mercy is this, TO
snatch from poverty md pcrdlion, tho destitute,
unprotected, AMI helpless orphan, and make him
worthy of a rank and place among his fellow be.
ings. Blessings on tho warm hearts and noble
souls, who, by their charity, aid and support one
Of the nobest efforts of man.
At another time will give you an account Of
the other institutions Of the city.
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