The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1855-07-24
For the Standard:
A PLEDGE

| For the Standard:
APLEDGE
Written by lady, for gentleman 10 sign wllo is
accused Of rting, being hersefwilling to abide by
| the same rules. y
| PLEDGE.
We tho undersigned, do mutually pledge
ourselves to avoid for tho space of sixty days,
all flirtations, and oil acts which may be con-
strued into premeditation of the same; be-
Loving, that at the expiration Of said number
of days, we shall be convinced whether we
have been previously instgnted to such acts
and flirtations by something inherent in our
natures, or, whether we have merely been ac-
ting in conformity to the times.
Addenda:-We believe that Airtations are
productive of no good results whatever, but
tend to chill the affections and blunt the finer
feelings of our nature. He who can thus
careessly bestow bis attention, (taking tho
appearance of devotion,) upon many, SO that
each one thinking she has the whole, has on
ly part, creating reciprocation of feeling
which could be drawn forth only by a convic-
tion of corresponding one, is not worthy the
name of man.
| Answer by the gentleman. who concludes not
to sign the pledge until after farther discus
| sion.
Well Maggie;-Your pledge, so far as it
goes is all very well, yet if were to sign it
l should wish to have thorough understand
ing as to what constituted flirt. five are to
take the word firt, or Irritation in the general
acccp,ation Of the term, who is to be the judge,
the lirter, the ono flirted with, or the public,
4 who are only lockers on'
1t is considered point in law believe, that
the criminality of an act is determined by the
intention of the doer of the act. Now il en-
deavor to render myself agreeable to an indi-
vidual, or any number Of thom, because be-
licve it will enhance their happiness ns well as
my own more effcctually than to pursue an in
different, or opposite course ON to be called
a 8 flirt' for that:
Who is to sit in Judgment on his follow, and
say what his motives TO action are; We are
not all constituted alkc person with large
social faculties and bcneyolcnce, and q full
development of the love Of appreciation, would
bo much more likely to form strong attach
ments, and exert himself moro to please, than
one with different. or opposite organization,
and the samo, acting in two individuals of such
opposite characters, might proceed from en-.
tirely diilent motives believe with you, that
"firtatious are productive of no good es.lts
&c" but on the contrary are productive of
actual evil; and that he or she who out Of van
ity, or for tho purpose of deceiving, wantonly
trfles with the love or affections OF another, is
less than a man or woman. But at the same
time, | do not believe that every little polt-
ness, courtesy, or attention shown one of an
opposite sox, should be construed into dem
onstration of love, especial favoritsm.- =
Here is where much of the mischief lies
Before pledge myself, hope TO learn from
you what particular acts "tako on tho APP
pearance of devotion" when shown to lady
and what am to avoid in order to fulfill the
pledge. AUGUSTUS.
This eicts tho following from the lady.
Augustus fatter mo by giving seri-
Gus consideration to that which was suggested
by me only in jest, but which am perfectly
willing to discuss in earnest, and, as have
"thrown the gauntlet" it becomes me to main.
tain the warfare in behalf of my sex to tho
best of my ability, which is but small; and
should the cause suffer from my champion
ship, it must be attributed, not to the weak
ness of the cause, but to the ineffciency Of ia
supporter.
You arc right in wishing tho definition o
tho word " fiirt," perfectly understood. A co
quette is one who wantonly tribes with tn,
feelings of another. A Hirt is one who un
Willingly leaves behind him the same effect il
a degree, which coquetto does. "Who is t.
be the judge" Not the flirter, for wo shoult
not have righteous judgment, not the poo
thing flirted with, who knows not whether hel
: feet are safely resting on this mundane sphere
J or whether the azure clouds arc bearing hei
/, towards Elysium; Lot the public, for tia
Would DC too conspiccus and defeat the object
!. A mutual friend would DO more proper to TAX,
cognzance of our sins of omission and com
mission. Our own consciences might be ih'
Judge, were it not to be feared that certain
cross-cyed conditios would prevent It's discern
ing the nice hair-lino distinction drawn be
tween tho act Of flirting, and a prancworth,
desire to contribute TO tho happiness Of an
other" IN
The criminality of an act is determined b,
the intention of the doer when that intention
e can be discovered; If it cannot be, crcum
u stantial evidence has then to DO taken. If
person is convinced that ho is enhancing th
happiness Of another, 1t is well, and any &C,
or attention which will servo efTectually TO d
!. so, are to be commended But would bay
e you bear in mind my friend, that attention.
i. which for the time being may bring light I
tho eye, and smile to the lip. may be tb
. cause Of much after misery, innocent, bscaus
not intended, but IL The effect is produced,