Alexandria Gazette

COMMUNICATIONS.
BURNING OF GUNPOWDER.

Mr. Editor: Can we not get through the Christmas holidays, without those noisy demonstrations of joy, with which our ears are annually greeted? I refer particularly to the explosion of gunpowder. If small boys, or grown boys, choose to break forth into turbulent expressions of gladness by themselves, let them do so; but they have no right to disturb their more quiet and peaceable neighbors. If they want to burn powder, and rend the air with their explosions, let them go without the limits of the city, and crack their pistols to their heart's content.

In the first place, this practice is absurd, inappropriate, and ridiculous. Why should these explosions take place now rather than in February, March, April, May or any other month in the year? if ever the public mind should be serious, it is at the close of the year. If ever, as individuals, we should think and reflect, and teach our children to think and reflect, it is at such a time. Surely it is no time for noisy mirth. Many of us have lost friends during the past year, and such sounds grate harsh discord on the ear of the afflicted. Besides, how ridiculous to associate such things with the sacred birth of the Son of God! If it were the birth-day anniversary of some naval or military hero, there would, at least, be a congruity in burning powder in honor of one, whose profession is intimately connected with that article; but to celebrate the advent of the Prince of Peace thus! It is, I repeat it, supremely ridiculous.

In the next place, it involves much expense of money, which is worse than thrown away. No one is benefited by it; and how many poor would be made happy by what is thus wasted.

In the third place, it is a dangerous practice. Serious injury has resulted from these explosions, in which boys are permitted to indulge. I have seen them sadly disfigured in this way; and even life itself is endangered. Besides, there are many females, our mothers, wives, sisters and daughters, who are shocked by these explosions, and who naturally recoil from such violence. A case of death occurred, in this place, not long ago, as the result of a shock, produced by a heavy explosion of gunpowder.

Finally, it is a violation of the law. There is reason for the law. It is a good one, and ought, therefore to be obeyed. Where are the guardians of the law? where the police officers, that no notice is taken of these open violations of the statute, for which, not a shadow of a necessity can be pleaded by the perpetrators? How bad the moral effect of these undisturbed violations of the law on the moral sense of the community! If you say, the law cannot be enforced, I deny it. I say it can be enforced, if the officers of the law shall only undertake to do their duty. Just offer a little reward of $20 for every case of conviction, and let an example or two be made of offenders, and see how soon they would be found out, and how speedily these annoying sounds would cease! They even began last week; and, shortly, it will be difficult, if not impossible, to walk the streets in peace. No one has a right thus to disturb the public tranquility. Will the proper authorities look to this matter, and give us one pleasant Christmas season? We have a right to demand it.

A CITIZEN.

Alexandria, Dec. 23, 1839.