Nashville daily patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1855-1857, 1856-07-29
DIPPING
"Vice songs US, even in our pleasures but Virtue
consoles Us even in pains"


consoles even in our pains"
In devoting an article to the subjectndicated
in the above caption, some of our lady readers
may think we are transcending the province
of jour nalist, and overstepppg the line OF
editorial duty. Not so, fair reader; it is the
legitimate sphere of the press to endeavor to
correct abuses wherever they may be found.
lis duty is TO condemn the wrong as well as to
uphold and speed the right. An evil and per
nicius habit is none the less reprehensible from
being exclusively practised by woman.
That the rougher sex has many vices is in
deed too true, but that fact cannot be, offered
by gentle woman, in eTtenuation of a practise
fraught with so much evil as is that of - dip
ping" Mans contact with the communicating
influences of the outer world, is calculated to
lower the standard of moral conduct which
was imbbed ia the lessons Of infancy and
childhood, at the shrine of mothers love.
Woman's sphere is higher and hoer than that
of mans. To her is committed the charge OF
moulding the character, if we may so speak, of
mankind. With her rests in a preponderating
measure, the virtue and ha 1piness of the world
The adage is as true as it is trite, that
Just as the twig is bent, the trees inclined"
"Woman," says the poet, twas heavens last
best gift to man." She was the browning glory
of creation. She was the personifcaton of
virtue, refinement, grace, loveiuess. That any
of these attributes should be destroyed by any
cause, is greatly to be lamented; and how unA
fortunate it is that many lovely women will
contract, indulge and crafty habit, the ten
dency of which is to weaken every desirable
element and elevating trait in her nature, and
destroy her life.
That the abominable vice of snuff-dipping
accomplishes these results can be substantiated
by the most incontestible proof 1t is vulgar,
unclean, pernicious and low, and its tendency
is to weaken the finer feelings aud corrOde the
sensibiIities of tie heart In proof, we need
only cite the notorious fact that the most aban-
doned class of womankind are the most slavish
devotees to this detestabe practise. 1t gives
a saffron complexion to the skin, leaden dull
ness TO the eye, heaviness to motion, and
stupidity to the mind. Il produces excessive
expectoration, clogs up the respiratory organs,
and from being swallowed with nourishment
and finding its way into all parts Of the body
through the agency of the blood, it enervates
the whole system. it is a monster gnawing
at the heart-strings, and which eventually
breaks the strong cord of life asunder. Indi-
vIdual instances might be mentioned in which
the premature decease Of "the loved and lost"
was traced Immediately to this cause.
The evils which follow in the train of this
revolving habit should not fail to elicit atten-
tion. They are not confined alone to the slav-
ish votary of Maccaboy and Rappee. They are
entaied upon succeeding generation, aud are
exhibited in the shape of diseased body, an
idiotic mind, an unnatural frame, or a weak
and effeminate physical and mental organiza-
ton.
OF all practices TO which people are addicted,
there is the least excuse for snuff dipping
There is perhaps the same appetite for il with
those who are confirmed in its use, that leads II
drunkard to his cups. Both vices belong to
the same category, with the difference that
strong drink is no, so deadly in its effects. How
any lady of sense and refinement can dip" we
confess is beyond our comprehension. The
subject considered socially, morally or phys-
cally, leads TO the same resuIts-the same con
illusions are arrived az. A more detestable
filthy, low, vulgar or injurious practice does
not exist among any class OF people on the face
Of the earth. In the name of decency self
respect and all that is good ladies, those OF
you who indulge in this habit, discard and es-
chew il at once and forever.