The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1852-11-23
From the Detroit Advertiser
, JUVENILE HAwKERs AND TEpLARs.
MEssRs. EDITORS

object the amelioraton of classes who in a
city swell the catalogue of crime, ignorance and
destitution Among recent proportions, Thave
noticed tho formation of the "Dbtroit Young
Mems Christian Association" and, howsoeyer
little faith may have in its ability to accom-
plish any vast amount of benefit as per pro-
gramme, am glad tho attempt is 20 bo made,
and hope that from its operation at least one
| advantage will accrue, TO wit: sphere of ac-
ton that will reach one of the gIeatest sources
of decentralization that has been brought under
| our obseryation-I mean the system of send
ing forth young children of both sexes TO vend
articles of portable nature about tho streets
and wharfs of the city. single glance at
the system in its operation will bring convic-
ton TO the refectng mind, of the incalculable
/ injury that is done to society nv permitting
| the outrages on decency and good manners
which are every day perpe'rated by the young
and almost unconscious offenders.
1t is well known that ono of tho greatest
causes OF vice and immortality in manufactur-
ing districts, is that of an accumulation of
young and uneducated persons, who, in so
largo and intimate community, rapidly cor
rDpt each other by the countenance which the
whole give to the vicious acts of each lnGvid-
ual. The operation Of the perncious occupa-
tion which We now attempt to decry, partakes
! of all the evils of the extensive manufactory,
and several others from which most places are
exempt For, in the first place, it robs chill
| dren of that nature of modesty and diffidence
which are the greatest charm of youth, and
the surest pledge of recttude Of heart and
principle, substitution in its place an obonina-
bio assurance of department, and trickery of
| intention, which fit them for deeds of atrocity
| in after years. II hastens such period--and
we all know, from every day observation, what
| is the csnsummation of such life. In the
second place, it Introduces them to q wander
ing, vagabond life which actually units them
| for course of industry; for it is lamentably
| notorious that those who have become habit
uated to such course, cannot find happiness
or content in any other. 1t is mistaken notion,
then that such children become useful to their
parents of their families. The very contrary
is the fact. They learn quickly to dissipote|
that which they obtain without labor; and, as
| if prodigal expenditure was not sufficient the
arts of gaming lend their assistance; thus the
passions of tho most hateful kind are called
into action--ayarice, envy, malice, revenge;
blasphemy and violence are the results, and
''the noblest work of Cod is dofled and made
worse than the beasts that perish.
But, if all this be liable to befall boys, how
much more shall we deprecate the fate of girls,
who are exposed to this dreadful snare before
their feet. 1t has been remarked with much
truth and force, that in vice or virtue, the fe
male sex 60 beyond the males in the course
adopted. Hence, we perceive, in the deyia-
tions from recttude that unfortunate females
ioon arrive at the lowest pitch Of degradation,
while that Of the other sex is more gradual
This may, in fact, proceed from the con-
sciousness, very early imbibed by females, that
ono false step is irre,revable, and renders
them outeass forever; despair gives strength
to evil incnatiors, and they plunge into the
4
abhorramcc of reflection
1t becomes, then, still more imperative on
every good citizen to arrest tho progress OF
evil, according to his means, with his attention
moro fixed TO preventives Of .femate than male |
delinquency, and VIC should sincerely rejoice |
ii the young Mems Christian Society" would |
enter into so benevolent a cause--thus addi- |
tionally rendering deep and lasting service to
the country, to humanity, and to the religion OF
Christ. To so loudable and undertaking, ov-
cry ono would be bound TO lend helping
band.
Viewed in another light, this system OF
hawking and peddling is fostering sore on
tho body polite. The practice necessarily
keeps children from school at n period of life
when ii ever the Foundation of their educa-
ton must be laid. This privaton is at all
times calamity. and it is greater whe=o the
advantages of education are commonly enjoyed
than where they are rare--far the greatest
where they are voluntarily renouncec! Those
who ore embraced in this latter class, feel
themselves to belong 10 degraded caste.-
Tho ordinary avenues of usefulness and res
pectability being closed against them, they
arc confined to Tho lowest employmcnts, or
are driven to unlawful ones. Those who are
aware to what an cxtont useful occupation is
safeguard of virtue, and the want of it an ex-
posrre to every species of profigacy, and how
far this depends upon education, will appre-
this view of the question. Great as is tho
evil of wanting common education. the evil of
that which is substituted, is still greater.-
Those childscn are, from necessity, during
nearly the whole of their timo, beyond the
oversight Of parents or guardians. Let il or
y be remembered that tho age of childhood
precedes that of discretion, and that the bitter
consequences of the loss of innocence when
not pointed out by salutary instruction, con
only be learned by erperiencei-and that,
when il is too late. How are the allurements
of vice to be resisted by those who have none
to forewarn them of its consequenccsl--
Whence, in such case, is to como that voice
ofaWisdom. which shall be preferred to tho
music of Tomptations Those who go forth
IRON their homes in innocence and in the pur-
sui, of what might ba regarded as even
meritorious industry. are gathered. at last, with
very few exceptions, into tho haunts OF nlamy
and the receptacles of crime.
There is, then, but one remedy for these
evils. This trafficking by the children in our
streets must be done away with entirely, and
the result can be effected only through the
intelligence and moral sense OF the comn'un-
ty--to which tone and direction can bo given
by the organization of such society as have
named Every sale roquiaed buyer and seller
If the maakct can DO shut, tho trade will
cease Many will be ready TO object to this
course, that this employment may be innocent,
and that by Interfering with il in oil eases, in
Justice may be done to individuals, and that
the sole resource Of the honest and indlgcnt
may thus be cut of. II such exceptions ex-
;st. and il is possible they may. they arc too
few "a bo taken into, tho account. Besides,
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