Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1854-07-12
For the Portage Sentinel.
Reform Suggestions.


This is an age, time, of many proposed re-
forms. 1t is especially so in our country. Be
SIDES the ardent and long continued efforts O
Christian philanthropists, of every various sec
and creed, to convert the people OF the world
and to particular faith and profession-and be.
sides the jealous efforts Of poltitians of all par
ties, to convert opponents, there are temperance
advocates, anti-slavery advocates, advocates OF
mans rights, and Of women's rights, the advo.
Gates of reform in every mechanical department
advocates for reforms in agriculture, new plans
OF education, reforms in the currency, reforms in
various laws, reforms in morals, in dress, and the
means of transportation and locomotion. And
almost all of these reforms are needed, and each
and all ofthese advocates effect some good, should
be encouraged to persevere; and should be coun-
sellcd to prudence, to system, and combined ac-
tion.
The humble writer Of this, too, is IN advocate
of reform. of all refo ms; and has conceived the
idea that reforms may be much facilitated by
adopting more finished and energetic system of
union, of united effort of all reformers, of all phi
anthropsts--all cooperating systematically, to
promote all real reforms.
We see much error, much of crime, of want and
misery, in our world-too much indeed in our own
region, so often called "happy America" Re-
forms are indeed necessary every wherein our
onion' our State, our county, our town, and even
in our families The predominant evils in all
are such that their correction NAV well be at.
tempted; and success may, with we'll directed er-
forts, be certain.
We have seen the good effects OF the combined
systematic efforts to promote every good cause.
Combined efforts have advanced the cause of reli
gon every where, societies and combined efforts
have vastly aided the cause of temperance in our
country. twas by combined efforts that our coun.
try was wrested from the dominion of monarchs,
and made "the model Republic, that our people,
our fathers, were converted from Monarchists to
Republicans, from subjects to citizens. By CON-
bned efforts our governments, even to town and
school districts, have been formed and supported.
By combined efforts our canals, our rail roads, |
and even Our towns and cities have been built and
'NSNN'NN' @uS We eSC HuCH t1uL is wanting to |
perfect our governments, and the entire of our
social structure. Crime abounds, folly and vice
abound. Men and women are many times enc.
nies, who should be friends. Combined efforts
nay reform society, if the people wM it. They
will w'A ii, when convinced that it will be beue-
lcal to each person, individually and collective
y. And certainly all the people can be shown
hat il all that now see it will try to convince,
ach his friend and his neighbor. That can bes,
e effected by associations of neighbors, ardently
ngaged in the good cause of reform, of human
eform, the Improvement Of human society.
Let, for that purpose, associations Of neighbors
Tganize Systematically meet often, and proceed ,
Systematically to enquire how reforms at home
an best be effected, to make all friends, to make
eighbors, neighbors indeed to help one another
, do good.
II they will thus meet and thus act, they NAV
nd truly we were all made tc befriend each 9th.
r; that no one can have good cause to be angry {
: or quarrel with a neighbor. All crime is cr-
VI, that people are led into by mistaken views 9
JUSTICE OF Of self interest. Though it NAV be .
ecessary for the safety of fsociety to punish Grim.
ais, their folly deserves our commisseration, not
lr vindctive wrath Enemies may be convert g
to become friends, by active kindness. >,
Let each school district be social district, each
sdent person member, each school room St
ace OF meeting. And let them meet often a
ce,twiceo or thrice leach week,t cultivate friend :.
p,andconsult their best intercsts-their indiyid lc
/ and collective interests-and the best means
promote them. Religious and political preiudi.
may we'll be discarded, and true friendship PP''
ltivated, as in Masonic and other friendly as d.
cations; but mere than any Of those friendly re
'ociations systematic, cooperative, moral, So
Il, and friendly help-one-another spirit, should
encouraged, urged, and adhered to, as the main q,
lar of the social edifce. ~
All men and all women, are socially disposed in
feel pleasure in frequent familiar, social vi
etings and greetings; and such meetinge and y, ~
'etngs have tendency to improve the minds ~
manners of the associates, when their efforts W,
directed to those objects. an
Society needs a more thorough and effective hr
raj organization, to include every member ~ r.,
reof. The several Christian and sectarian or. w
lizatons are good, as far as they go. They do I'M
ch moral good, and prevent evil But expert te
;e has proved that they are insufficient for all eSH e
good, for all the Improvement that society W. W.
ds. All the members OF society, cannct thus de
reached. nor sufficiently influenced Political
too, though each may do some good :
e each evil mixed; and our civil government Ss, sh
ned to include all, and in the last resort to CO. ms
men to obey the laws, to refrain from violence of
from wrong, cannot it is found, reach all ca tio
and needs the aid Of the whole moral weight
III philanthropic minds, thus combined and =!
ematized to effect the true objects of civil we We.
ernments. Though our own may be the best eve
on earth, our people the most moral, the
our party the most pure, yet experience, past yrs
present, shows that it falls far short of the nu
'sctfon We need, or thst would seen to Bs .t- "s.