Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1849-1856, 1849-11-08
Sutm day, Nor. 3.

following remarks, appealing strongly and di-
rccrly 10 the heart Of the practical phianhro-
pist, were published, several months ago, in
the Buffalo Commercial Advertiser, with i'm
mediate reference TO the case Of n boy, acting
as driver 10 one OF the teams on the canal,
who had caused the death Of another boy,
while defending himself in brawl that had
sprung up among party of rude companions
/ This case very naturally suggests some re-
hectlons upon the moral condition and char
ac,er Of those navigating the canals-more
particularly in relation 10 the boys who go as
drivers. ], is a sad commentary upon the
business, that it calls to 1t all that is vic and
degraded, or makes them, by the sociatlons
which il presents, outcas,s from society, and
the source from which our jalls and prisons
draw so many Of their inmates. There Is
no, in the whole range of society another class
that will equal this in everything evil. They
are far more degraded than the brues they
drive, and seem to take their chief deli ght inI
shame and reckless deptavi,y, displayed in all
the varied forms which human ingenuity can
invent. o.
It cannot, as things exist, well be other
wise. They are brought in contac, with vice
contnually-,hey know no Sabbath nor lis
hall lowed innuonces-they are away from the
restraints Of home and frlends-wlth none to
care for them-none to counsel them for good
lief. 10 the sway OF their passions and appe-
tltes-,hey readily float into the current Of
vice, and are carried alorg year after year,
growing worse and more confirmed in bad
habits This condition Of canal drlvere has
oft, n arrested the attention OF those who take
an interest in the elevation and moral welfare
of their fellows, and some efforts have been
made to meora,e their sad state. But thus
far little has been ccomplshed-liule change
has been induced, and as a class they present
the same general features that they ever have
done. And we fear that they are destined
thus TO continue until some radical change is
made in the manner of doing business upon
our canals-un,l some respect is paid to the
= obligations of the Sabbath by Christian men.
, ANY business which produces decentralization
among those engaged in it, is IN opposi,ion to
the general interests of society, and the res
possibility rests mainly upon those w!.o in 9TH
er connections are considered the friends of
morality End tcligicn, -.
! Blu, tho evil Of bad boys is not confined 10
the canals. 1t Is to be found in every city
inciden, to the crowding Of large numbers o'
people into a small territory. The CleaveIand
Herald gives the following in relation to that
CITY, which will answer very well for general
description o..
., There are al least 600 bad boys in this
city. They ycgetate about our vharycs, in
the groceries on the banks Of the canal and
lake, and every public place. They are, a
swearing thievng set ragged, saucy and
B, dirty They beset strangers for money and
food, telling all sorts of lies to accomplish
their ends They are in truth many OF them
destitute, sleeping in barns and ou'houses,
, and one the other morning was found in
sugar nogsnedu "Hoio HC hau sPV'' ''N "'6"''
Now what can be done for these juvenile va
grants Some have no parents, some are the
children Of drunken parents, but many are the
spoiled offspring and ms-governed runaways
|, OF poor but ignoran, PARENTS, who, uncul,lva-
ted themselves, resort TO brute force to re-
claim their children from the evil effects oi
temptations TO VIII ch poverty has subjected
them. 1t is hard both upon parents and chill
dren. but it is an evil which needs promp, re-
lief
Il 1t is almost dscouraging TO see the large
numb RS OF like description in our city. II
lcas,s cloud over the future when We think
that such boys are fast growing to be men
and are soon TO enter into the snclal, poIiuca
and business elements Of society.
!, Make way. gentlemen,' cried Massa
I chuseus representative TO the populace VIII
we're clowdng him out OF his lace in III
= procession on election day, "make way, w
Hare the representatives, Of the people. -
{ 90 Make way Yourself" replied sturdy mem
II bet the lhrong, eve are the peop'o them
o selves"
GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
v yllocroBKR SESSION, ar SOUTH kINGsToN
Monday Afternoon, Oct 20.
III