Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Or The Causes Of The Decay Of Our National Morality, And On Some Modern Schemes For Its Renovation.
people themselves point the way : for people can neither be led nor driven into amusement . We would let the lower orders do what they please to amuse themselves ; and , on whatever occasions they think proper , by mixing with them , whenever the time seemed appropriate , and the nature of the recreation perfectly innocent , the rich and powerful may perform an infinite service to their country , and a grateful and
graceful compliment to their fellow-creatures ; and without derogating from their dignity , may learn to feel as much pleasure in allowing others to participate in their enjoyments as they now do in their exclusive p leasures . The business of the government is to secure from the march of building , spaces near great towns for sports and exercises , and to remove all restrictions whatever on dramatic and musical
entertainments . To provide education for all who want it , is a material step , and one which unfortunately our government has declined to interfere with . When they become more enlightened , or another succeeds , they will learn what a wonderful power , for all good purposes , a universal education would g ive them . Partial education always leaves a multitude of bad examples to corrupt their betters . How much contamination our
country-people have derived from witnessing the dirty and careless habits of the swarms of Irish who have inundated us of late years . The nature of the education should be materially changed . It is not enough to teach a boy to read and write , and repeat a certain portion of doctrine . Books should be prepared , teaching morality in its extended sense , independent of particular creeds , and as means of earthly happiness and prosperity ; others describing , in a condensed manner , the laws and constitution , and the principles on which these are founded : such instruction begets veneration for established customs and institutions , as far as they agree
with national justice ; and , of course , where they disagree with this , they should be changed . In a general scheme of education , the most rapid mode of educating mechanics and artificers should also he considered , as it would better their condition in society ; for though labourers abound , good workmen are very scarce , and are well paid . At present , the best energies of the cleverest men , instead of being directed to their work ,
are directed to writing and spouting , and organising unions , which increase discontent . If by these , or any other means , a popular opinion in favour of morality and law could be engendered , the people will not only observe more moderation in their enjoyments , but would second the government in the adoption of any legal means for the correction of gross offenders .
Such a state of opinion having heen formed , but only when such a state of opinion was quite evident , might we venture to punish drunkenness , in all classes , by some light but disgraceful penalty . The stocks in country places answered the purpose well ; in towns , something else mig ht be substituted . Abiding such a time , legislative interference
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Or The Causes Of The Decay Of Our National Morality, And On Some Modern Schemes For Its Renovation.
people themselves point the way : for people can neither be led nor driven into amusement . We would let the lower orders do what they please to amuse themselves ; and , on whatever occasions they think proper , by mixing with them , whenever the time seemed appropriate , and the nature of the recreation perfectly innocent , the rich and powerful may perform an infinite service to their country , and a grateful and
graceful compliment to their fellow-creatures ; and without derogating from their dignity , may learn to feel as much pleasure in allowing others to participate in their enjoyments as they now do in their exclusive p leasures . The business of the government is to secure from the march of building , spaces near great towns for sports and exercises , and to remove all restrictions whatever on dramatic and musical
entertainments . To provide education for all who want it , is a material step , and one which unfortunately our government has declined to interfere with . When they become more enlightened , or another succeeds , they will learn what a wonderful power , for all good purposes , a universal education would g ive them . Partial education always leaves a multitude of bad examples to corrupt their betters . How much contamination our
country-people have derived from witnessing the dirty and careless habits of the swarms of Irish who have inundated us of late years . The nature of the education should be materially changed . It is not enough to teach a boy to read and write , and repeat a certain portion of doctrine . Books should be prepared , teaching morality in its extended sense , independent of particular creeds , and as means of earthly happiness and prosperity ; others describing , in a condensed manner , the laws and constitution , and the principles on which these are founded : such instruction begets veneration for established customs and institutions , as far as they agree
with national justice ; and , of course , where they disagree with this , they should be changed . In a general scheme of education , the most rapid mode of educating mechanics and artificers should also he considered , as it would better their condition in society ; for though labourers abound , good workmen are very scarce , and are well paid . At present , the best energies of the cleverest men , instead of being directed to their work ,
are directed to writing and spouting , and organising unions , which increase discontent . If by these , or any other means , a popular opinion in favour of morality and law could be engendered , the people will not only observe more moderation in their enjoyments , but would second the government in the adoption of any legal means for the correction of gross offenders .
Such a state of opinion having heen formed , but only when such a state of opinion was quite evident , might we venture to punish drunkenness , in all classes , by some light but disgraceful penalty . The stocks in country places answered the purpose well ; in towns , something else mig ht be substituted . Abiding such a time , legislative interference