The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1856-06-03
[BY REQUEST
INSTRUCTION FOR THE PEOPLE.


In description by the author of 1.-THE
U. S. Naval and Astronomical Expedition
of the rude and brutal character of some of
the emigrants to California, that State is
called ''our accursed golden country" Such
traits of character are considered to be
generated by the unhallowed thirst for
gold"
We fear such charge may distract atten-
ton from more important causes of reck-
lessness and offences, which contrast with
the manners of civihty and kindness which
bors-who complain of us; we think the
early instruction which children receive at
home has much more to do in causing rude
ness and insensibility than the desire for
gain, which is generally diffused among
mankind-with many virtues. Amy other
''unhallowed thirst will be attended with
similar consequences, and cannot properly
be charged against metal-obviously de-
signed for important uses among men.
The same objections now made against
emigrants to California were formerly made
against seamen, for a long time regarded
as a distinctly offensive caste of men. If
their improvement we shall discover some
in the manners, instruction and advances of
those-who control them-as well as in
other means taken for individual instruction
on shipboard. In the very copy of the
Charleston News, 5th May, we read that,
1.-The U. S. ship Portsmouth is the first
United States vessel that ever left the port
of Norfolk having entirely dispensed with
spirit rations by the voluntary arrangements
of the crew.
Yet it becomes us to consider the variety
of preparations for the comfort, health, in
struction and humane treatment of the
sailors, which have gradually led to such
an abstinence by willing restraint. 1t is
not going to sea, nor digging for gold, that
teaches the conduct complained of. To
attempt to fix such basis for lhe evil will
only delay other sources of instruction and
advantage. The whole COMMUNICATIVE
Nation, is interested in the conduct of every
individual of our society. The laws require
obedience sometimes--whenp proper instruc-
ton has not been offered. Moral law
preceded punishment! We are too much in
tho habit of snnnrine AWAY tho Importance o
of morality or civil conduct in life, and to
think a certain want of good manners and
gentleness of demeanor, not becoming our
independent position Morals or manners
are often of more Importance than the higher
mental culture, which cannot, in all, COM
pensate for their want. Civility, courtesy,
kindness and good manners. formerly char
acterized the people of the Isthmus-we
presume since the opening of the Rail Road,
and to promote that improvement, many
changes have taken place. Rude negroes
from Jamaica, some other Islands and por-
tions of the Continent have impressed a
different character--as the multitude of
mixed races of all countries have changed
the name of ''citizen'' into one of degrada-
ton, there. We want good schools, i'm
proved school-masters and mistresses! Not
only to teach letters and arithmetic, but to
impress some feelings of humanity and
mercy into the hearts of scholars-towards
others. The poor heathen Indians of South
America often exhibit more of the virtues
we call christian, than are found in certain
classes of the most civilized countries of
Europe. We need instruction in ''the
principles of morality, as we'll as in those
of Algebra in our schools. We should
begin with the teachers!
A TRAVELLER.