Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1854-08-30
From tie forthcoming cork Sociology for ia. So4s,


By Geo. Rirhsgh, ESQ. ~
Domestic ARsetlon.
Historians and philosophers specializing upon tho origin
Of governments, have generally agreed tha. the family
was lie 6rs Development Ihas ever been and viii ever
be, is most common form. Two-thirds Of mankiud-,he
women and chNdrep-are everywhere tho subjects Of
family government In oil countries whore slavery exists
the slaves aso the subjects Of this kind of govern
ment Now slaves, wives and children have no other
government; they do not directly In contact with
tho institutions and rulers Of tho State. But the family
government fom ts nature has been despo,c. Tho
relations between the parent and his family SUBJ
jects are too various minute and delicate to DO
dshued and enforced by law God has in his mercy and
wisdom provided better check to temper and direct the
power Of the master Of tho family than any human go
has devised He who takes note of every spar
row that FALLS who win break the bruised reed and
who tempers the wind to the shorn ,ms has not been
fogetfu regardless Of wives children and slaves He
has extended the broad panoply Of domestic affection
them all, that the wiads Of Heaven may not visit
them roughly under its expansive folds other of hi,
creatures reposc in quiet and secury the OK the horse
the sheep, the faithful dog, betake themselves to It's
friendly shelter aud cluster around their protecting
master.
Domestic affection cannot be calculated in dollars and
cents. Il cannot DO weighed or measured or seem or
fet-eIcept in its effects. " The wind bloweh where il
listeh and kuoWeth whence 1t cometh or whittier
il goeth Its holy fountain is concealed in deeper re-
than the head of tho Nc and in iss course 1t dis
peuses blessings from the rich overowugs Of the heart
ten thousand times precious than that sacred river
gave to the land Of Egypt. Political economists
politicians aud materalisis ignore its existence because
II Is rcued for their comprehension The material
world engrosses their attention. and they heed little those
u,Ora thatp haa
the material world. Slavery without domestic affection
would be curse and would marriage and parental au
thory The tree aborer is excluded from lis holy and
charmed circle. ShelteresS, naked. aud hungry he
exposed the bleak winds cold rains and hot sun of
Heaven,-vith none that love him, none that care f.
hun. His employer hates him because he a,ks high
wages or joins strikes; his fellow laborer hates him
because no completes with him for emplovmen,-
Foolish Aooli;ionrsts! bring him back like she Prodis,
Son Let him faro at leas. we'll the dog aud the
horse aud the sheep Aorahams ten, is ready reccv.
him. Better lie down with the Kids aud the goats ,ha
stand naked aud hungry without As slave he will b.
beloved and protected Whilst free. he will be hate
despsed aud prosecuted Such Is the will OF God anu
order OF Providence. IL is idle enquire the reasons
Silders aud sailors are, aui must be- also thu
subjects of despoc rule. They have sold their liberty
They have sold their persons aud the lives No domestic
affection mgaes and qualities their slavervl Those VIII
rule them love them not for they belong not to their
family and household II well that they are men in III,
prime OF life, who bear bard and harsh treatment
tor bard aud harsh treatm .n they are get Whip
ping is prohibited in the army aud navy Miserable ig
norance and charla snsm You prohibit whipping
until you dsband both army and navy. What is whip
ping Is 1t not corporal puushmeutyand il corpo-
real detention and corporal punishment part the sailor
ant soldiers contract II he wishes desert may you
not aud will you not restrain him by bodily iorce Will
you not il necessary, knock him down, hand cuff and
imPrson him Nay, il he repeats the ofsuce will you
shoot him VIII you not fasteu a chain and block
to him il Necessary? Whipping has been abolished
aud cannot be abolished in navy army. Whipping
mesns-corporeal punishment, aud corporal detention
GU retain the right to ufct them, and IL j. mere mat
Ter OF caprice and taste how they shall be Inflicted The
man whose person is sold is slave. The man whose
person IS imprisoned for punishment has felt the disgrace
oil whipping aud endured more than its pains.