Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1867-01-23

FATHER RYAN's LECTURE. -Aotwith
standing the inclemency Of the weather
and the slippery condition Of the sidewalks
Masonic Hall was we'll filed last evening
on the occasion Of the lecture in behalf O
the Tennessee Benevolent Association
The Reverend gentleman was escorted &c
the rostrum, by his Honor Mayor Brown
and introduced 70 The audience. Accom-.
panying him were the Rev DR. Bunting Of
the Presbyterian Church, and the Rev. DIR.
Young Of McKendree Methodist Church,
who occupied seats on the rostrm SeYe-
eral others Of the clergy and gentlemen Of
the city were also on The stand.
After q brief Introductory notice Of the
object Of the lecture, and the cause il was
intended 10 subserye, the lecturer announced
lis theme, "Tke S8etul and Religious Degeae-
rrcg u TIC Tims.' We have not space oF
time, az this writing, 10 follow him through
It's exposition. lie pointed ont the signs
and sources Of our moral decline az q
people as exhibited In the profigacy Of
the press, and the prostitution Of the pull
pit, in the decay Of home influences, and
the growing worship Of mammon; and
passed in scathing review the prominent
vices Of the times. He showed their iraYit-
able tendency % work national ruin II not
checked
The lecturer spoke without notes or
manuscripts, but treated his subievt in
brilliant style, and well repaid those who
heard him.
We are pleased to be able to announce
that at the urgent solicitation Of the Asso-
citation, and many citizens, Father Ryan
will lecture again ON Friday night, We
trust the evening may be pTopitiona, and
advise all to 60.
A QuE CTy.-Our city has been,
during the cold weather that has been upon
rs, very orderly and quiet. No startling
crime has been committed nor outrage per-
petrated, and indeed few arrests even for
minor ofenses have been made. There is
no more orderly city than Nashville, morris
anv city governed by better officers or
guarded by more efficient policemen.
The FREQUENCY OF FREs-A Few
Worms OF CAUTIoN.-The frequency with
which our city has been visited with de-
stnlciiye and disastrous fires, during the
past few months. IS a subject Of important
and grave consideration. In several locali-
ties Of the city, and often right in the heart
Ofbusiness, Wondering rubbish and charred
walls present themselves 10 the eve Of the
passer-by a. mournful monuments to the
destructive powers Of the sweeping fire.
king.
All large cities, especially those which
are densely populated, are subject to fires
and destructive confiagrations, bat when
such terrible yisitati0ns become scenes Of
nightly and weekly repetition, the result
is, or should be, to arouse feelings Of appre-
hensiou and alarm, and produce increased
vigilance on the part of tenants and proper
ty-hOlders 10 prevent so much and such
frequent losses.
As TO what has been the cause of the
many fires affecting us of late, accidental
OF otherwise we shall not pretend to say,
bat will venture the assertion that not
enough prudence and vigilance TO prevent
accidents Of this character have been OBJ
served. Persons possibly without intent
or motive, have become more negligent in
regard 10 fires than they have been in
former times. Several reasons may operate
10 produce this indifference The storms
and passions and crisis Of the last four years
have probably tended 10 make men, in the
aggregate, more careless and reckless
then, again, the immense business done of
late years by heavy and responsible insur-
ance companies, almost al men, in every
sort Of business, procuring policies, securing
parties against loss, perhaps, in many IN
stances, superinduces a carelessness and a
neglect for the safety of premises and
stocks which might not exist. Insured
against loss by fire, any way, the same ne
cessity does not exist, in the minds Of
many, foriaithful supervision and guardian
ship over their effects that might otherwise
prevail.
To prevent a recurrence Of these fires,
let every citizen, tenant, merchant and
landlord and man Of business, exercise the
utmost care each over his own principles.
Let there be no defective Aues, no danger
Ous stoves, no loose matches carelesslv
scattered around, no combustible material
in close proximity to the Fireplace or the
stove, aud no wooden ash-boKes. Let
every one be strictly careful over his own
premises and he will not only save his own
property, but prevent the endangering and
destruction Of other peoples This is an
important subject and demands the atten-
ton Of every good citizen who desires the
prosperity Of the city and the success Of
our business men.