Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-01-19
THE GAZETTE.
WEDNESDAY MORNING.. JANUARY ~, 1852.
1COM M~uNICATED.


Virtue, like its opposite, Vice, is not pecu-
liar to any class of society, but pervadeS It's
eyery branch; and whether found IN the
palace or in the howell, it is the same meek
expositor of the goodness of the human heart.
and sends forth its modest light to direct the
wandering step in the path of pleasantness
and peace. There is no compatibility be-
tween the two. The vicious shun the viz
tuous, and can never be made to appreciate
rightly that pity which the latter evince Tor
them.
Interest and affection present many ties 10
bind mankind together. and cause them 10
hecome familiar with each others acts and
habits. Being susceptible of rapidly receiv-
ing good or bad suggestions, the mind Is to
a greater or less extent, influenced by its sur
roundings; and how to associate intimately
with the world without falling into some of
its snares and pits, should be the interest OF
all: for in order to make the best OF the very
dubious space of time which is apportloned
to each one, we should constantly Woo the
sunshine Of virtue, and seek earnestly to
eyade even the shadow of those murky clouds
of vice, which sweep like a terrible storm
over the soul, and enshroud it in darkness
and devastation. Therefore, great caution is
of the utmost importance IN selecting such
persons as are TO be the recipients of those
feelings which one heart is ever ready to de-
vote to another.
Habit acts upon habit, and so far beyond
the control of the will is this influence, that
an individual is often within the very grasp
of vice before he is aware ct 1t. Hence,
''eyil communications corrupt good morals"
md in our intercourse with the world we are
placed in a condition in which we are to be
morally benefited or injured. The society
of the virtuous is always pleasing, while that
of the vicious is noxious and revolving, and
an individuals resistance to Its wlles IS In
proportion to the degree of moral training TO
which his intellect has been subjected: for
the mind is prone to absorb whatever is pre-
sented 10 it. Under certain influences it be-
comes passive, and when freed from moral
restraint, soon loses its purity, and learns to
regard with derison those powers before
which %yirtuous spirits bow in reverence. 1t
Is. too. more rapidly debased than elevated,
and when once the barriers which conscience
offers 70 vice are broken over with impunity,
the heart soon forgets its shame, and goes
down, down, until the face of reformation is
turned aghast, and the wretch dies in his In
famy: and when those who once knew him.,
approach his body to look upon 1t tor the
last time, they hold their breath lest they
may be corrupted by the foul air which seems
to surround his inanimate form.
Evil association creates bad thoughts, tos-
tiers vile intentions, and leads to lying, arson,
LARCENY, drunkenness, adultery, blasphemy,
murder, and self-destruction and the first
study of every parent should be not only to
SWAY his children by the force OF his own
example, but to allow them TO associate only
with the good, the wise, and the vlrtuous
and to check at the very budding any habit
which would lead them to mean conduct and
grovelling dispositions: for the fre-slde OF
home is the place where the seed OF virtue
most rapidly takes root, whence 1t spreads ID
after life, like the branches Of a luxuriant
tree. 1t is emphatically during infancy and
childhood that the basis of the man OF honor
able feelings. or that of the rake Of des:pica-
BILE ways is formed and as soon as the intel,
lectual powers begin to dawn, parental
authority and wisdom should march unwav-
eringly with them until the young mind is
thoroughly imbued with ~virtuous sentiments;
for 80 surely as a parent neglects the lmpera-
tive duty Of watching and directing the men,
tai growth Of his child, so will he in nine OF
ten cases wish his child had never been born,
or hope that the earth may open and swallow
him ; for inst as the mind is inclined by cul-
ture. 80 it will lean, and never, ms a rule, IN
after life depart from its bent. Habits form
ed during childhood and youth generally in.
dictate the character of the future man. and
constitute the SUM of his honor or his dis
honor, his happiness or his misery. How
many youths whose names daily appear on
the lists of violations of decency, law and or
der, owe their degradation to the negligence
of their parents in not directing their minds
Alright by timely counsel and punishment,
How many parents cheeks now burn with
the blush of chagrin as the voice of m
bears TO their ears the report OF some dread
full act committed by one Of their children,
Well do such parents deserve to blush. ana
the words, II neglected the moral education
of nv children" should be written on the
brow of each, and 60 with them to their
graves for they who silently omit to punish
evil acts and bad associations, morally MUIR
der their children, and are responsible for
their departure from the way III which they
should 60.
xadr;o Jonuory IL 1859.