The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1874-06-04
RANDOM THOUGHTS.
BY THE EDITOR.

Last week l called attention to an arti-
Senator Yates, and promised to refer to
the matter this week After the paper
had been printed l noticed that the
printer, in making up had got the ar
ticle badly mixed but it was all there.
Was Richard Yates born drunkard
Mr.. Hoffman, in his speech last Friday
night, said that no one is born drunk
ard. The theory is that it is all mat
ter of education. l do not believe this.
There are two sides to this question, as
to most others. On one side we hear
such questions as these: "Can the ETH
opian change his skin p Can the Leop-
ard change his spots {? Gan you make
whistle out of pigs tail?' etc. On
the other hand it is said Train up a
child in the way he should go, and when
he is old, he will not depart from it"
o'Tis education forms the common mind
Just as the twig is bent, the trees inclined"
Then we have sermon upon sermon,
in countless numbers on the interview
mentioned in the third chapter of John
The preachers are all orthodox on this
subject, and assert, without any fear of
contradiction, that bad men can be radi-
cally changed, and become good men.
When told that not one in ten thousand
that processes this change ever exhibits
it for any great length of time, it does
not weaken their theory. 1t is no use
to tell that they may possibly be mista-
ken in their understanding of the case
But think it would be better to make
the effort to reconcile every part of the
scriptures to facts which are established
beyond all question by the observation
and experience of mankind Call it
Phrenology, Darwinism, Infdelity, or
what you may, men of thought and OBJ
servation cannot avoid coming to conclu-
sions which are warranted by convincing
evidence
"Was he born SOP Yes. A physiog-
nomist-a student of human nature, can
read mans character-his SOUL as read
lily as he can read his handwriting. The
Almighty writes more legible hand up
on the human frame-mainly upon the
human head and face, than the most ex-
pert Spencerian penman can write upon
paper. Some time ago I was travelling
on the cars, when l noticed respecta-
bly, dressed gentleman on the train, who
was polite and affable. But to me, his
countenance was most repulsive. His
neck, jaw, and face generally, told me
that he was gross and animal in his ma
ture, and he could not be otherwise.
His under lip was rolled out, purple,
much as 1 had seen in bull dogs of fierc-
est and most brutal character. | was
told that he was a minister OF high
standing and fine talent. No matter
There he was, and the hand writing was
by one who never blots a letter or mis-
spells a word. Quite recently l learned
that this good man takes sides against
the temperance movement, to the great
edifcation of the liquor sellers.
l am personally acquainted with two
or three men who, although not related
in any way, are singularly alike in per-
sonal appearance. I will not describe
their appearance, for fear they might be
recognized. l cannot describe them bet
ter than to call them petty scoundrels
They a0iU lie and cheat. Their great
failing is to create small debts, and then
by trickery-shufiing their property,
taking the benefit of exemption laws,
etc, never pay their debts. / have seen
these men join the church, profess to
"get religion" and have no doubt that
they struggled heroically to attain
higher, purer, better, more honest life.
But you could not trust them. They are |
the same meE still. "Were they born
so p Yea, verify. l have known men |
many of them, who have striven
against intemperance with determine
tion almost super-human. They would
take the pledge-take the most horrid |
oaths, even go before a magistrate and
have an affidavit drawn up. sign it, sol
emnly swear to it, that they would not |
drink Intoxicating liquors, and their