Columbus Democrat. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 18??-18??, 1852-12-04

@lich is but reflected upon the Brigand's deeds.
The garlands which still grow fresh and green over
tie robbers grave are not clustering around him,
but were woven as ehaplet for the child Of song.
Snce the days Of this romantic adventurer, the
profession has been much degraded by the pul'
larty Of its followers, ank after the career Of the
oeat Turpin had closed, but few gentlemen have
adopted it as regular calling. In our own State
tso, there is very general prejudice against u
il consequence OF the iniudicious severity which
/ vas manifested five or SIX years ago by Alopzo
Phelps, who was certainly in some respects very
rigorous practitioner 1t cannot he denied that
/ On both sides of the Atlantic, the general voice
/ o society through its accredited agent, Parlia-
tent or a Legislature, has been decidedly against
I it, and has formally expressed its disapproyal Of
the cVstom, in the shape Of various enaetments
with penalties therein mentioned. A Parliament
or legislature must be esteemed TO form their
decisions on wise and deliberate reflection, and its
opinion is thereby Justly entitled to great weight
! win lot combat it, and in preference to an
argument on the subject against such authority
win at nee admit frankly and without qualiica-
ton, tlpt robbery is very reprehcnsihle protee-
sion Which an enlightened policy requires should
by discouraged
/ Stehug, too am not prepared to yindicate-
/ ujgeuerally considered, and most law wi-
ters maintain, that the rights of property are alb
solue. As a matter of policy, at any rate, most
] Gowmmeuts have recognised 10y legal enactment
the distinction between mCum and tHuHs, and
haze declared that a disregard Of that distinction
sh,uId be discountenaneed This opinion has
ben general among civilized nations, with, think
5ut one exception. The ancient Spartis ucul-
cited theft as a virtue; but doubt whether It
would be so considered at the present day. even
among the most philosophic; and most certainly
different opinion prevails amongthe unreilectng
vulgar They form their opinions frem the code Of
customs which exist around them, and not being
Iimbued with classic lore would but slightly regard
the authority of even the wise maXims of Lycur-
rus though their eternal voice speaks through
th, vista Of hoary ages. That class of the com
mlnity is very numerous and prudence requires
tlnt even their prejudiees should be regarded.
Upon full and mature consideration, then, 1t
would seem that both these persuits are objection
allie and should be rejected; and my racked in
veation eau conceive but one more alternative.
There is this one more resource, but it is painful
to me to mention it, for | know the agony it must
cost YOU. ROBBERY or stealing reyots the taste,
The gallows looks grim and the dungeon dismal
when they loom in the dark perspective OF the
loafers fate and his heart must sink within him.
But there is a doom less dangerous, but more
drcary than that Ii is doom at which your
nature shudders--an anguish more terrible than
the knawing of the worm that deth not-a fate
in which the earth offers rest aud the sun shines
upon you but 10 torture. Your food will but re-
mind you of the pain it has cost, and you will live
/ in the pangs which others die with. After this
description it cannot be necessary for me to explain
that refer to hard work. 1t is painful to me TO
allude to this contingency or to bring this picture
before you; but it is my duty to do So and must
discharge it, You must 90 TO work. Robbery
and stealing being rejected, it is unavoidable
You MUST co TO WORK 1t is a bitter draught
own. had hoped earnestly that it might be
avoided had prayed upon my bended knees
that this cup might pass from you-that this pang
might be spared But the fat Of destiny has gone
forth, and your fate is fixed. have pondered
upon the question anxiousy, have gone over the
whole subject in detail, and you must see that the
conclusion is unavoidable. 1t is doom before
which fear even loaier's tranquility will quail
Serene and calm, you could smile upon the mu-
tations Of time 'the wreck Of matter and the crush
of worlds,' and would seem TO defy the arrows oi
fate. There was but one creyice in your arrnor'
but one shaft could pierce you, and that shan J.
shot. To work You must 60 or starve. Hard
must be that heart which can look upon this fate
and shed no tear ofpty But is not for the indi-
Iyidua or for bis suffering that feel such poignant
regret 1t is the annihilation Of the venerable
order, the botting out Of the fraternity from the
mass Of fsociety,whch like the extinction ofan"tlon
sounds 50 solemn to my ear. The death-knel oi
the order has been pealed its dirge has been sung,
and it will soon befound only in that mighty store
house Of the things which have passed. 1t stands
upon naked rock, and the rising surgos OF the
great ocean Of time swell darkly around IT. Be
meath them is It's burial, and the waves Of oblivion
will roll sullenly over is grave. Huk to the
gurgling waters. Rienzi was the last Of the Ro-
mans. Bayard the last Of the Cheyalicrs, Uhcas
the last Of the Mohicans, Mike Fink the last Of
the Keelboatmen, and the last requiem must soon
be sung for the last Of the ioaiers. A. h. NJ.