Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1854-12-16
BLAsPHRlCY.

A correspondent (says the New York
Sunday Times) is justly indignant at the
vulgar and foolish custom, to use no
more terms, Of profane swearing. We
heartily indorse all he says, and will add
that we have repeatedly beeen astonished
at the extent which even the smallest
boys practice this outrageous habit. He
says: -.-. ..-.
II waive the morality of the question
entirely. am sneered out of that point
on all heads whenever l attempt to use
it; therefore, would use such argu-
ments only as may tell. / think may
lay it down as a conceded fact, that of
the many things that the fast men of this
fast city are fast at, they are fastest at
eursing. They beat creation at that. 1t
is humiliating boast. Young Ameri-
ca especially patronises this vice. I.
cannot pass block of q street where q
few youths of fourteen to sixteen, or un-
der CT over, are congregated, that my ears
are not insulted with the most profane
oaths. L cannot enter saloon to take a
little refreshnent on Sunday or a week
day, but am cursed out of it. / can't
stand cursing any how-it lifts the hat
Oft my head. | think cursing is q white
mans vice. The 'darkies' are not expert
at it, and believe the Indians were not
much instructed in the accomplishment.
If, after quarter Of an hours converse
ton with one of our fast young men, a
list of the oaths he used were presented
to him on a card, doubt if he would
vote for the whole ticket
''How is this vice to be eradicated (!
1t is quite plain preaching has not reached
it. l believe ridicue the best weapon to
use against it but the task is difficult.
It would not be easy, however, for one
who abhors the vice to greet devotee
with such an expression as this: Say,
Bill, how is your id fine mother, or
your Cd Id sister, to-day?' Now,
the sd-n' and Cd d-n' are used BY
the cursing fraternity as expletives of eI-
cellence-instance That was G-dd-d
good brandy, Bill These are id fine
cigars, &C., &c. But these oaths are
small beer to some of the gentry. The
changes are rung in every sentence, and
in every form of imprecation, on the
meek and lowly and suffering being who,
although the noblest priest and the grand
est that ever moved in human form, was
nailed and lacerated, and goaded to
death by blasphemoss rabble ON the
Mount of Calvary, eighteen hundred and
twenty-one years ago, for the faith that
was in him. and whom, apart from every
question of morality or religion, should
be spoken of with respect by every true
republican-by eYery man who believes
in the progress of the human race, and
rejoices in the march of human civiliza-
ton. do not hear men or boys swear
ing by their mothers, fathers, sisters,
wives or sweethearts, or anything human
they hold dear.
"Can you not, dear sir, do something
in your editorial capacity to lend hand
or pen to whip this loathesome vice
out of the community! If you could en-
list the aid of the ladies to use their
sweet voices in the cause, they could, in
their various relations, afford most valu-
able aid. Would that the day might ar
rive when some foreigner, in bis notes on
America, might be enabled to say But
what most distinguishes this people is
the purity of their conversation. Rich
and poor, young and old, all alike exhibit
the effects of thorough education and
although they are remarkable for great
conversational powers, and speak with
honor, energy, and emphasis, using
strong and highly imaginative figures Of
speech, never heard blasphemous ex-
preston throughout the length and
breadth of that great land 30