Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1839-01-26
From the lions Advocate.
MATERNAL RESPONSIBILITY.

MATERNAL RESPONSIBILITY.
The station of a mother is the most accounta-
bic that human being sustain, affecting, by
the manner IN which il Is sustained, not only the
mortal bat the Immortal interests Of those upon
whose mind she makes the first rnpressIon-uPo
which she traces characters permanent, often be
yond the reach Of tins circumstances. She
moads the wax when It is most ductile. She
sets IN action q train OF causes which will 90 down
through all corning time. The causes will 90 on, .
long after she has gone to her eternal home, ele-
yatlng mmorials to virtue and honor, or urging
them onward i'll sin, and passion, and woe. The .
extent and power Of their influence have been but
little appreciated and acknowledged Hence, the
mass Of mankind fail TO consider what weight
Of obligation and degree of responsibility the
child brings into the world with him for his pa
rents. In the Joyous feeling with which he moth
er iavIshes her fond embraces upon her smiling
bahe-in tbs parental pride with which tho tather
regards this pledge OF mutual a.eton--r'rely does
either seriously resolve the future DESTINY Of this
new immortal, re-. - how ueafv that destiny
Is connected with taar conduct. Parental ob.iga-
tious neither recognised nor felt by the great
nuItitlIe Of parents. Rushing, they frequent
~ Do, iatD The marriage state from the mere inn
Paise %. passion, wIth3ut t0rcth0nght on prudence,
they become parents without one right impression
ia reference 20 the duties which deVOve upon
them MANY regard their children as pretty play
tatngs, That must be well taken care OF, and be
taught, some Nay or other, whatever will set them
oft t. the best advantage. They are utter stran-
gers Of course, 10 any idea Of the Important duty
Of forming theIr characters, and Shaping their tu-
tufe destiny right. Nd Que who has adequate
conceptions Of the connection which exists be-
tween the parents conduct and chd's destiny, and
notices the manner IN which domestic duties are
neglected. can be surprised at the evil and suffer
ing which abound in society.
This connection, however overlooked, is init
mate and lasting III It's inAue.ee. In vast ma
I3rity of cases, the influence which Is eterted upon
the days OF early childhood, the principles which
are then imbbed, and the bias which IS then given
to the mind, determine the character and fix the
destiny for both worlds fhe child leave the pa
rental root with has passions unchecked, and with
no restraint imposed upon those vicious propensi-
ties which inherent IN our nature, he will, in
all probability, rush on IN the ruInous course OF
selt-indulgence, and 60 down to a dishonored
grave. Ii, the other hand, the lesson of self
control has been ciiectualiy taught him, he will
probably retain the habit through life If the
principles OF industry, rugaiIty, economy, benev-
olence, and pcy. have been carefully lnstIlled in
to his mind, his after life Will be constant and
beautiful exhibition Of them.
Now, as q mother IS tho guardian and guide OF
the days of infancy aud youth, she is constantly
with her children, 1t is her voice which they
mostly hear, her countenance and actions which
they see, and her example which they continually
behold IN those years when they most ImIa
tive. must she exert the greatest influence 1T
the torma ton Of their character Many causes
indeed, contribute their auxiliary assistance N
the process Companions, brothers, and sisters
the father, and the scenes by which the child Is
surrounded, all perform their part; but the mother
does the The first being that the chile
: knows is It's mother. To the young heart, the
mother is the first object of affection and reve
= renee. Her eye and voice-her tears and hel
smiles--her caresses and reproofs, ARE the subjects
: of inttn;ile observations The feelings, passions
T ana expressions Of the mother, viii become i'm
: perceptbly and almost necessarily the feelings
= passions and expressions of the child. No earth
B, iv Influence whatever and combination o
i causes effect much in promoting the happiness
Y or misery of individuals and of our race, moth
z, ers Hence 1t Is that the influence which shall
: at length redeem world must come from
y mothers lips. She who first in the trans
o erosion, Is destined to be the principal human in
h strumentality in restoring the to its print
# tive purity.