Daily Iowa State Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1856-1859, 1859-04-03
81 n u AY R r A DI \ q !.


II is impossible to pass through the
streets OF large cities, or country towns.
without hearing profane language. And
this, too, very frequently from the lips Of
mere children. The vice is at once immoral
and irreligious. and it appears on the in
crease. Can nothing be done TO check and
restrain 1t! A law exists against it, but it
Is rarely enforced. Would it not be well
Tor the authorities to make one or two more
examples We are told by foreigners that
in no civilized country on the habita5ls
globe is this odious vice practiced to go
fearful an extent The case is sufficiently
deplorable in the Northern cities, but 1t il
worae in the Southern and Western. In
the former, the ignorant and the illiterate
are the chief offenders, but in the South
and West, even individuals Of high charac-
ter and polished minds, are frequently found
to forget themselves, and employ language
every way discreditable. Nay, they are
astonished when told Of the vice, for they
are unconscious when they practice it. The
habit has grown upon them from year to
year, until at last. they find it difficult to
converse, even upon an ordinary subject
without the introduction Of an oath or an
II reminded Of this infirmi-
ty, they either get into passion, or deny
that they employed offensive language; and
thus. Of course it becomes painful to con-
verse with them upon the subject Wehon-
estly believe that two thirds of the person
al difficulties rencounters and murders that
take place in the South and w est, should be
attributed to the improprleties of speech.
In the first place, sharp words are employed.
then violent epithets. and these are often
followed by blows and blood she'd The in
dividual who cannot control and command
his tongue is very apt to lose his temper,
and then to raise his hand for the purpose
of striking blow. The moment that this
is done it is impossible to imagine the re-
suit The protane in speech cannot be pure
in heart. The crime, moreover, is altogeth-
er fruitless and unnecessary. 1t cannot do
good and it may do harm. The parent,
who is in the habit Of employing improper
language in his household and before his
not only sets a shocking example,
but absolutely invites his offspring into the
ways of wrong doing.
What, to the properly regulated mind,
can be more shocking and startling, than an
oath from the lips Of a youth The idea
is at once formed, either that the morals Of
the young blasphemer have been sadly
neglected, or that he must be naturally
wicked and perverse. And yet, in this re-
find and intelligent community, it is no rare
occurrence to hear half dozen young men
together. and interspersing their
with oaths and imprecations
Some who of course are sadly deficient in
imagine that they thus mani
fest extraordinary valor. Others, strangely
enough appear to fancy that the listeners
are looking on with admiration. Others,
again are st lost to the decencies Of life,
that they l. w no better and mistake pro-
family for poi"l.
The difference betwee a gentleman and
ruffian, is frequently recognised by the tone
Of conversation. The former may be at
tired in the coarsest habits, yet courtesy
and good breeding will be detected the
that he opens his mouth. The lat
ter on the other hand may be a perfect model
in dress, but if regardless of the proprie-
ties of language, his true character Twill be
seen in an instant Language is, indeed, to
The mind and heart, what dress is to the per-
son. And this will apply, not only to BIAS
phemy. but to the coarse and vulgar tone
that is 30 often INDUCED in at the expense
Of taste, feeling and good sense. What
good purpose is secured? What object is
Why should profane language
be used at all on any occasionl 1t is not
only specially forbidden. but is in violation
Of ell the proprieties Of life, and it is fire.
luently attended with the most serious con-
sequenses. Again, therefore, we cherish
hope, that some effort will be made by |
those who feel an interest in the morals Of |
the community. to check and restrain q
habit by which We are already sadly dis
yraced, and which appears to be increasing
70 rapidly.