The Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, Ohio) 1853-1861, 1856-01-19
THE PERRYSBURG JOURNAL.
Conversation.

servation, public lectures, and by conversa-
ton. Each of these has its peculiar advan-
ges and each its adopts Many read much,
even too much, and think too little All
people observe, but the good or evil impress
ions which are made upon their minds are
only shaped by the intellectual, moral, or
sensual medium through which they look
Almost all attend public lectures, and the
ringing appeals of the living speaker elevate
their standard of noble efforts and fire their
minds with high and holy ASPIRATIONS only,
as before, they possessed vital mentality and
goodness of chara cter. And they will i'm
prove by it in proportion as they appear I'M
the assembly for advancement in real worth
rather than to g see and be seem. But BY
conversation we have means Of knowledge
which is universal which takes within ltsI
scope the whole human family, and even ex-
tends in an inferior manner to Inferior AMI
mails, they having language more imperfect
than that of man in proportion as they are
less important in the world.
But if the human species possess superior
conversational powers, they were undoubted-
ly given them for higher and more sacred
object than merely carrying out their british
designs, and gratifying their grasping, sordid
appetite, this the chimpanzee and mon
key can do as we'll as man. They were Civ
en- him for imparting and securing knowl-
edge, and discussing and establishing truths.
And indeed no principle is thoroughly elucl-
dated, believed and founded, till it has been
made the subject Of conversation around the
private fire side. 1t is there more than else
where that language puts forth its Hercuean
power and exhibits its beauties to win its
subject and enforce the views of its possess
or. 1t there throws off the boisterous style
Of the public harangue, and the restraint OF
popular opinion, and assuming an easy, atfec-
tionate and confidential tone, 1t draws out
intuitively the real sentiments Of the speak
er, in expressions which perhaps he would
not dare to iterate upon the rostrum, and
twines itself in mystic folds around the lis
tener, till their views are consolidated and
they say they are agreed. Here woman has
her influence. In the peculiarly STILL deep,
flowing stream of influence which converse
tion possesses, mothers, wives and sisters
may exhibit the intrinsic worth of their
tongues, and turn the tide of corrupted SEN
timent with power more potent than that
narrow mind would suppose who would cut
woman off from more efficient means of
good, and who only takes superficial view
of the great river of noble action, without
tracing it back to its various obscure foun-
tains. And even woman herself may not be
aware of the great good few words aptly
spoken may do, till she sees their effects.
Thus while our sister state Indiana, was del
uged in intemperance, and its Legitimate off.
spring were stalking abroad over the state
regardless of law, and the appeals of the vic
Tins Of runs seductive influences, prohib-
itory bill passed both houses of the legisla-
ture and was presented to the executive fol
his signature. But alas for the fraility OF
governors,-he was about to stamp his veto
upon it, when his wife steps up, with q
heart swelling with the love of her own sex
at least, and sends her stirring appeal:
through all the avenues of his soul, and over
whelms him with an invulnerable argument
graced by a peculiar conversational elo
quence which woman alone possesses, and In
diana is saved.
But to give the subject more .practica