Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1854-04-24
Progress.

are progressing in all the facilities of.com-
fort and misery enjoy ment and endurance.
Each discovery of the humen mind for the
ease aud convenience Of the race, is atten-
ded by corresponding increase of the
means of death and destruction. Hours
are condensed into minutes, and leagues
are reduced TO els-and in ttle same ratio.
are the agencies Of human suffering null
tipied. The genius of Fulton, that brought
in social contact the extremes of the civ
ilized world, discovered also the means BY
which millions oil human beings have been
prematurely ushered into eternity. The
motto of the WORLD is-Pfogress. 1t mat
tiers not in what--whether in science or
art in vice or virtue; happiness or mise
ry with the animate or inmate-still Pro-
gress is the magic power that lures us on
ward in blindness as to results. 1t controls
the lightning embraces the storm plays
with the whirlwind; rides upon the raging
pillows; penetrates the earth scars into
the heavens, and speculates in pianets.-
Thrones tremble at its mysterious touch ::
hierarchies and despotisms yield to its
transforming influence, andl the bristling
power Of tyrants makes way for its jugger-
nautical career.
Old fashions, old habits, old clothes, old
buildings, and old fogiss are rudely pr. sh-
&c aside, with the significant rer. .rt-
make room for your h~.,.ters.' Onr ovr
WV. p'ese','' 'f'>i'e :, illustration OF the re-
~ ~ - re- Generating influence OF Pro
J SIS. Old citizens are passing away ole
Buildings are being torn down old virtue.
forgotten, and new vices initiated ole
T fashioned bonnets, hlch shaded the face
are thrown aside. and little top-knots, be-
decked with gorgeous flowers and hashy
ribbons. have taken their place high
neck and Short-skirt dresses have been su
per seded by open fronts and trailing tails
, Nature has been improved BY coffee bag
and sea-grass skirts and even the voic,
has been modulated, and the gaitrcgnatee
by the systematic and partisan requirement.
Of Progress. sz3
Indeed, we were sadly impressed viii
tie reckless strides of this Joggernaut al
we walked through the grave yard tht
other day. This onward impulse of til,
age regards not the sacred repository of,h,
dead; but on it rus'les, tearing ifemits hal
lowed precincts the tenants OF the grave
on it careers, and, hyena-like, unbosom
the earth, that the bleached bones and con.
secrated dust of the loved and lost ma,
feel its ruthless touch, Even the dead
cannot rest andis'ulbed beneath the greer
sod, and budding flowers, and marble slab
which the hand of affection has placed 0.
yer them. - ~.
How lov'd. how honoId once, availsihee not
TO whom related, OF by whom brgot;
In the name of Progress your resting spo
must be invaGed your sepuIcher despoiled
and in that name over the hallowesl grount
where rcposeS the dead, the click of tllt
trowel and the merry song el the thought
less workmen, must attest the power Of tn,
spirit of the world TO obiyiate affection fol-
the deceased. In truth, we love the graves
OF the departed, and it is with sadness we
witness their disturbance. They are clio.
i quent sermons--solemn exhortafions--re.
minding men o.: their common inheritance
Here are The prude severe, and gay coquelte
The sober WIDOW, and young green virgin,
Ciopp,d like Iose betre Ills fully blown.
Or hafis wolth disclosed. I.'f .'a5if
Yet as this is emphatieally an age o
Progress we must submisslvely and grace
fully bow to its fesistless strides.