The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1848-12-02
,sr.,,.,,.. Be,,er ,han au,s


II is the fashion nowadays for every writer
TO commence his essay article with an an
annexation Of the distinguishing characteris-
tics of the present age. The number Of these
characteristics is truly formidable, for every
writer assigns a special characteristic, and,
strange to say, every characteristic is the very
trait, and the only trait, by which the age is
really distinguished. We have sometimes wish
ed that an artist would take these various rep
reese nts lions and according TO them portray the
age upon canvass. What the picture would
be, We cannot conjecture, but one thing we are
sure Of that the age, as it looked upon its own
image, would ask with unconscious simplicity,
what queer and nondescript thing is that? and
when informed that IT was likeness of itself,
its CONSERVATION would be appalling.
Like all other writers, we think ourselves
bound to discover and present the prominent
Trait by which the nineteenth century is char
acterised. With the modesty peculiar to this
century, we therefore declare that we have dis
covered that trait and now proceed to present it.
And what is III Activity Of mihd7 No
Universal philosophy No. What them Sim
ply this:-practical wisdom, the wisdom which
finds its exponent in the old and homey pro-
verb, Fan ounce of prevention is better than a
pound of cure" in other words, good common
sense.
In all seriousness, we do think this promi-
nent feature of the present age. 1t is TO COM
mon sense, that every day wisdom which studies
the conaexion between cause and effect, that we
owe all the conveniences, the physical improve
ments, and RAINY Of the great moral movements
which render the age remarkable.
1t is to common sense that we owe the grea,
and beneficial change everywhere apparent, by
which rnen are led 10 study and conform to the
laws of health, and thus prevent disease, rather
than depend upon medical skill for the removal
Of disease. And il is to common sense that we
owe the great and happy change which is APP
parent, not everywhere, but in many places, in
regard TO the treatment Of crime. Heretofore
the one greas end has been the punishment Of
crime when committed; but now common sense
is teaching the wisdom of preventing the COM
mission Of crime.
IL is common sense which takes Christianity
from the region of distractions and brings iii
sublime principles into society, making them of.
fective in every department of life.
To common sense, directed and enlightened
by the spirit Of Christianity, we owe the wises
and MODEST reforms which give true and lastng
glory to the age.
OF these reforms no one coinmends itself NOR,
warmly TO patriotism and religion. than thai
which seeks TO snatch childhood and youth
from moral exposure, and, by surrounding il
with right influences. train it TO virtuous anc
religious manhood.
We have recently met with an account Of an
institution to which This spirit of reform ha,
given birth, and which, under Providence, will
be instrumental Of incstimable and imperishabl,
gooc. Could similar institutions be established
in every State, thousands Of the young woult
be saved from ruin. They are demanded by n
rsnlightened political economy, by humanity anC
by Christianity, which would DOOM none, ant
least Of all, childhood, even vicious childhood
to hopeless degradation.
We subjoin the account, which we take from
the valuable periodical Of which, in preyiou.
number, we spoke in terms of warm coInnen.
daiion, "The Prisoners Friend"
TREATMENT OF JUVENILE OFFESDEHs.-Tbi,
subject is nov occupying the attention Of many
OF the most distinguished philanthropsts, botl
In thiscountry and in the old wo-ld. Ii is ons
which deserves the most serious consideration
and we are glad TO see il occupying the promi.
nent place which ii 10 emineutIs deserves w.
believe in this great works Massachusetts,
tSaf Hap - 1. Il. L
Institution for Juvenile offenders is sufficient
evidencepf the deep interest Of her citizens in
this great work And IL there were no othel
evidence, the institution acw building at West.
borough would be sufficient This village i,
about thirty miles from Boston To carry on
n this great object one Individual gave $4,000
and then offered $4,000 more. provided the
State would appropriate as much, which, We
believe, has since been granted. But we cannot
do better than TO give an account now before
US, which will better show the necessity of sucl
an institution, than any words of our own. We
believe in presenting this subject in the very
hrst number Of our monthly, we Going an
eminently practical work. In visiting prisons
we have long felt the necessity of such an insti-
tuition, and We trust the work will 20 on in
every State shall have its Institution for iuven-
lie offenders. We want TO see the time when
government shall do what is now doing by pri-
4 fatc uchOfttoiiccs w ny SHOULD not gOvernmen
make as ample provision for reforming Grimm
ais, as for any other purposel II was a beau
| tiful idea Of Dymond in his Essays, that the
Government should consider itself as n parent.
Taking this ground, can readily see how
the whole principle Of government would be
changed. But we cannot withhold the article
before US. The necessity Of such an institution
may be appreciated, when we call TO mind the
fact that In the first nine months of last wear,
ninety five lads, hfty-six Of whom were arrest
ed for larceny, were committed to prison. where
they were EXPOSED to ali the eontsminatinr in.
huences Of hardened convicts We give al, ex.
tract from the history Of this Institution now
| Ia progress. and hereafter shall follow no the
work - it proceeds tsl lis completion: ~
elm April, 1876, three Commissioners were
sppointed, by the Governor and Council, to Sc
| iect and purchase IA eligible site for State
Manual Labor School, and 10 procure plans and
estimstss iersaisable taildings ihereon-said 10,
| Of land tc consist Of net less than fifty acres;
and 20 accomplish this object, the sum Of ten
thousand dollars was appropriated. The Com
missioasrs, Msssrs- R. Rsntoni Of Beverly, A.
- Foster Of Worcester, and Mr.. Pomeroy of
Pittsheid, IN the course of tho year selected the
tovn Of Wsstboio sgll as. on the whole the n,ost
eligible place for thS proposed school,
ssrsain's Vnisn Rlasanlnc, fer Jan'y., iSa9.
We hive recsiyed the first aumber Of this old
.