Meigs County telegraph. [volume] (Pomeroy [Ohio]) 1848-1859, 1857-02-24

The higher the good, the more intense the
evil1o which it is thus changed; SO to the
evil and deptaved, home may, and often
does, become the theatre of all the low
and beastial passions to which the human
mind can abandon itself in its lowest de-
gladation. And as by the universal and
all-pervading laws of affinity, like will ev-
er attract to itself whatever is congenial TO
its state; such home necessarily becomes
the free resort ana chosen nestling-place Of
vile and groveling spirits whose very
sphere contaminates and blights whatever
of innocence and native goodness is found
in those within its circle; but which under
other circumstances, might have been de-
veloped into the full proportions of true
manhood. The effects of the influences
and associations of such home, will like
wise follow its unfortunate subject through
all time, and in all places. And although
he may change the whole habi.s and asso-
Citations Of his early life, and by effort and
perseverance do much to repair the mis-
chief, yet we apprehend he will never be
able, wholly, to efface the impressions made
upon him in his early "home"
If these things be true, how in
conceivably important are right home in
fuences. And that they are true, we think
only needs reflection to satisfy every one.
That the deep yearning of the heart for a
quiet resting place, which itcalls "home, "
is an mate sentiment implanted in our ma
ture by God himself, is manifest from its
universally. And that it was given for a
benefcent purpose, is as certain as that
"His tender mercies are over all His
works" That it is one Of our strongest
instincts, every one may know from his
own consciousness. Who has never eXpe-
rienced the intense, underlined and indes-
cribable longing called "home-sickness"
We are, in fact, so constituted, that, what
ever its surroundings-"be it ever SC
homely, there's no place like home. -
For good or evil, then, human destiny de-
pends more upon home influences than up
on all others.
We were led to these reflections by an
incident that occurred this morning while
we were standing on the corner of the
street with friend. A number of chill
dren were together, looking at some object
that attracted their attention, when bright
looking boy, apparently about ten years
old, came slyly upon the group, and with
a sudden change of manner and flush
upon his face, roughly seized upon small
ler boy, that seemed to be his brother, and
with rude, violent shake and an obscene
oath ordered him to "come home." The
smaller boy resisted, and fight ensued,
in which both took up rocks to throw at
each other, while language was used by
both, that ought to have brought a blush
Of shame on the cheek of the most aban-
doned. Each stormed, and threatened the
other with the clicking" which "pa''
would give when he could catch him.
Leaving out the oaths, dialogue in the
following style was kept up as long as they
were in our hearing:
Big boy. you'll catch it when you &C
home. Pail give you fits"
Small boy. "No he won't neither
You'll git licked, yourself; ma won't lei
him whip me-
Big boy. "You'll see. If ma gives
any of her jaw, he'll lick her too"
And these children, with passions reused
into fury-with hatred ranking in theil
young hearts, and with such feelings fo1
heirparents were on the way to meet those
parents, in thatplace which they called and
which was all they ever knew of home
Whose children they were, and what oc'
CURED when they reached that "hell or
EARTH" we are thankful we do not know
The scene, however, common as it is,
made us inexpressibly sad. 1t seems tc
us, if there is sight on our sin-disordered
earth that could make the angels weep, il
is childhood surrounded by such inhuen'
ces, as tend almost irresis tably to theil
ruin.
We have here givena very unvarnished
account of very ordinary incident in oul
streets. And we venture to say, there is
not day passes, that our citizens do not
witness scenes of juvenile grossness and
depravity, far exceeding what we have
here shown. Do we all realize, that those
reared under such Influences are soon tc
take the place of those upon whom the
order and progress of society now rests
What is to be the moral heritage of the
future, ms it is to be transmitted through
us? Are we doing what we may for the