The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1845-08-18
NATIONAL MORALITY.

y! all the indicia by which the PROGRESS of
nation is marked, there are none more certain and
important, than those connected with the morale
ct the people and Of the government A virtuous
nation may be counted upon, as a prosperous and
comparatively happy one 1t is true, that the
government and people of country may some
times differ widely in this respect for time. But
the natural and inevitable result is, an assmila-
tion of the characteristics of the one TO those of
the other; and that, usually, by some channe of
both In this respect as in others, Nature seems
to have provided for the restoration of an e0uiLi
brium whenever it is destroyed. Like the rad
iati"n of caloric from body to the SURROUNDING
until their temperature becomes the same, so. the
moral qualities of our nature ire disseminated on
every side till a uniform standard is attained,
higher than the individual character of some.
lower than that Of others. or course, there will
still remain exceptions, but this is the general
truth. Nothing is more common than the inouirv
after the associations, the company kent bv an in
dlvldua, when it is desired to ascertain his char
acter and standing. Have we an important trust
TO be cOnfded to one with whom we are not perfect
~ acquainted what is our first and instructive in
curry Who is he What is he? What
have been his associations This is a natural
and proper course we follow it, KNOWING from oh
servation and experience that birds of feather
flock together" or, the Spanish proverb has if.
''teli me whom you live with. and will tell
you who you are" We know full we'll with
what anxious care the kind and thoughtful parent
and friend guards the dear objects of sYlicitude
from the dangers of bad associations. never far
moment questioning the inevitable ills that must
result from the contamination of evil EXAMPLES
and the influence of a depraved heart Who
would expect to find an honest and upright man.
of undonbted integrity and trustfuness, among a
den of thieves, or united with band of robbers
None would seek in the midst of destination. Ii
centicusness and crime, for purity of morals and
noble elevation Of mind. Why? Because man
must learn from the world around, if it had not
been taught BY the pen of inspiration. that evil
communication, corrupt good Manners Man.
long accustomed to any course of events, comes
to regard all as a matter of course Hence it is.
that many ceremonies and observances are prac-
sed with religious sanctity, and full faith in their
correctness and even their necessity. by some ma
tons OF The earth, while others condemn them as
most unnatural, barbarous, and impious. while
they are perhaps addicted to other customs looked
upon with equal contempt or adherence BIZ the
former If, then, it be true, that we are. as DR.
Paley observes, but " a bundle of habits is :,
not most natural to conclude, that the cbaracteris-
tics Of some in society, must have an influence in
moulding the whole? And if this be true of ipdi
viduaIs in social point Of view, why may it not
nay, why must it not be equally so, in respect TO
rulers and nations. governments and governed 2
The history Of the world proves beyond doubt
that such has been the case. and we have no right to
suppose that this state of things ever has CHANGED
or that our own county forms any exception to
/ the rule.
We know well, that when Cyrus the Great
established the Medo- Persian empire by the union
Of the kingdom Of Media with that Of Persia his
virtues, with those Of the hardy. temperate. and
energetic Perslans changed in a considerable de-
gree, the character Of the Mcdians, though the
Persians at the same time imbibed some poriion
of love Of ease, luxury, and effeminacy from their
allies, but after the conquest Of Babylon foil tide
OF wealth and Injuries, pouring in upon them.
with the manners Of their conquered subiec,s
wrought such change in the character and bab-
ITS OF the Medo Persians, as efTectually prepared
them to be overcome by the hardy Creeks. But
they, IN turn, were SO infected by the customs NJ
the conquered PersiaDs, as finally to prostrate
them before the power Of the Romans. WIN rve,s