Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1846-02-12
MORAL DISCIPLINE.

Philosophy has long ago suggested the means
of national reformation, BY commencing in
struction upon the ductlle minds ofunreslsting
youth. Ii is when the habits are reformed that
we make man what we desire him to be. Mo
raj discipline is yet almost an uninterrupted art.
But it involves the destiny of the human race.
When we complain Of the world, let us always
remember, that ii Is our own fault IT is not bet
ter. Begin with the child, and you mould man
to your own pleasure The faultles in fathers,
mothers and teachers. How vast, then, our
responsibility. We bring up generation 10
vice, idleness and ntemperance, and, then, raj
sing our hands TO heaven, exclaim-''A Alas,
poor human frailty" We should rather ex-
claim-'Alas, for the Incidence and Partially
ofparents!" Nature is not to be censured. Ii
is man. only, who is to be araigned for his eul-
pable neglect.
Why will not society adopt the suggestions
of philosophy in beginning to mould men,
while the plastic qualities of youth invite the
touch of the moral sculptor2 In the nculca-
ton of knowledge, science and art, we begin at
the earliest stages Of life. Why not also begin
the work of virtue at the same time! Ii the IN
teilect is worthy ofso much attention, why sure
ly the heart is not worthy ofless 1t is better to
make virtuous citizens, than brilliantand talent
will always work out lis own destiny; and Ike
a vigorous tree, VIII produce fruit without cul-
ture-hut the heart, the passions, the animal
portion of man, requires infinite pains to sub
due lis violence, and train il TO the subsection of
the master hand of reason. The whole econ
omy of education is now based on false prnci-
piles, We neglect the passions, that call for
discipline, and expend all our care upon the in
tellect, which, if powerful, cannot go wrong,
and never requires art to endow II with energy;
and which, il imbecile, cannot be made yigor-
Gus by art. But the passions always demand
the supervision of reason; and yet, by a strange
infatuation, we abandon them TO their own
violence, in order 10 look after intellect, which
requires no care at our hands, Oh! glorious
consistency of mani
American youths, are in peculiar manner,
the subjects Of moral discipline. We have in
our institutions no hereditary sentiment Of re-
spect, homage. or that Difference which supe-
riority exacts from the inferior Equality, -
has cast us aiioat ON the broad ocean of free
dom---and we bow to no lord. "Respect for
superiors," is not sentiment peculiar to, but
rather repugnant TO our institutions. How
shall we supply this defect of our system, but
BY the easy discipline of moral education? p
We must find remedy for this evil-and none
can be found, but in the application of moral
discipline to the youth Of the country. We
want no "standng army"
five desire to make the generations who
come after us, an ornament TO the American
character, let us begin early to instil the princi-
pies, that viii govern them when adults Let
us teach them to subject the passions to reason;
and to govern themselves as becomes the sons
and heirs of the Great Father Of his Country,
who has left them so rich legacy in his inn
mortal valedictory Address--the Fade .uecun
Of Republicans.