Thank you for visiting SNEWPapers!
Sign up free
Editorial
September 22, 1827
Constitutional Whig
Richmond, Virginia
What is this article about?
Excerpt from Pres. Smith's sermon on Industry, discussing the dangers of idleness, including how idle companions foster intemperance, neglect of families and trades among the poor, and contribute to political factions hostile to good government.
Clipping
OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
Effects of Idleness—
"But from no cause are the idle more exposed to danger, than from companions like themselves. They mutually mislead and ensnare one another. Their evil habits and their sinful passions acquire additional force by being separate from the good, and associated only with the bad. How many do we daily see falling, by this means, the victims of habitual intemperance! How many, among the poorest class of society, giving up the active and diligent pursuit of honest, though humble occupations, for the contemptible and ruinous habits of sauntering and tippling, leave their unhappy families to suffer at home?—How many, who ought to live by their daily labor, do we see turning malicious tale bearers or ridiculous politicians, and regulating, in their pretended wisdom, the affairs of state, while their own trades are falling to decay? These men make up the mob of faction in every country. And your idle politicians, your lounging patriots, and men who have embarrassed their circumstances by their own folly and neglect, are always hostile to good government, and are ready for any disorder in the Republic, whenever they can find a wicked and a daring leader."
—[Pres. Smith's sermon on Industry]
"But from no cause are the idle more exposed to danger, than from companions like themselves. They mutually mislead and ensnare one another. Their evil habits and their sinful passions acquire additional force by being separate from the good, and associated only with the bad. How many do we daily see falling, by this means, the victims of habitual intemperance! How many, among the poorest class of society, giving up the active and diligent pursuit of honest, though humble occupations, for the contemptible and ruinous habits of sauntering and tippling, leave their unhappy families to suffer at home?—How many, who ought to live by their daily labor, do we see turning malicious tale bearers or ridiculous politicians, and regulating, in their pretended wisdom, the affairs of state, while their own trades are falling to decay? These men make up the mob of faction in every country. And your idle politicians, your lounging patriots, and men who have embarrassed their circumstances by their own folly and neglect, are always hostile to good government, and are ready for any disorder in the Republic, whenever they can find a wicked and a daring leader."
—[Pres. Smith's sermon on Industry]
What sub-type of article is it?
Moral Or Religious
Social Reform
Temperance
What keywords are associated?
Idleness
Intemperance
Moral Decay
Family Neglect
Political Faction
Industry
What entities or persons were involved?
Pres. Smith
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
Dangers Of Idleness And Its Social Consequences
Stance / Tone
Moral Exhortation Against Idleness
Key Figures
Pres. Smith
Key Arguments
Idle People Are Exposed To Danger From Like Minded Companions Who Mislead And Ensnare Each Other
Evil Habits Gain Force When Associated Only With The Bad
Many Fall Victim To Habitual Intemperance Through Idleness
Poor Individuals Abandon Honest Work For Sauntering And Tippling, Leaving Families To Suffer
Idle Men Become Malicious Tale Bearers Or Ridiculous Politicians, Neglecting Their Trades
Such Men Form The Mob Of Faction, Hostile To Good Government And Ready For Disorder