Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1845-11-04
EDUCATION OF CHILDREN.

iAo"S'C' icPuOitSdi we are III ieeIlng
abroad and among our fellows. it cannot b.
denied there is in most homes very rigic
and often tyrannous rule maintained oIel
the young. There the fiat from which
there is no appeal, controls The movement:
OF the little troupe of little men and women
and Tor years they are mere machines sub.
ject TO the absolute will Of others. This
state of things is marked by another char.
asterc feature, the idea with most parents
that the fair child so pretty and so attrac.
tive in infancy is but young demon in
disguise, that il is an incipieEI imp which
is TO be watched with fear and perhaps
scourged and coerced into goodness. The
sense of a tremendous coming struggle
with something singuiarly perverse and
difficult is upon The minds of parents, and
they rush INTO fight with one who has
neither the power Of aggression or defence.
The common feeling seems TO be that chill
dren are liars from the beginning, land must
be logged out of the propensity to false
hood ; that ifthey use their own judgements
they are sure 10 go wrong; that they will
not honor their parents unless forced TO
the performance of exacied Difference, nor
incline 10 read good books unless subjected
10 their notice as task. This mode of
reasoning keeps the parent and child for
ever under mutual misrepresentation, and
leads TO formation Of those very habits
which it was in'eEded should not be form
ed. In many houses the children are for
ever in tears. unhappy even in life's NOR.
ming freshness. and those objects which in
n consideratc family are The light and Joy
Of them all-lhe precious little Jewels
which reflect brilliant hopes around them.
and which we carry next our hearts with
feelings of tenderness, for there are 10
suitable words-are through paternal means
alone, often the source OF the greatest sor-
row. The system which is pursued, often
with the best intentions we admit, of Chi
ding, scolding, punishing,a and making chill
dren furnishing and making children I'M
comfortable and wretched for every oct
VIII ch we choose TO disapprove, Will end
in destroying the best affections of the
heart We have known the finest children
ruined by harsh treatment even from well
meaning parents.
Our readers will now ask Us what is the
proper course to be pursued. Oar answer
is, appeal to reason and affection. Con-
slider that children have the same feelings
which we ourselves possess, and should
have corresponding treatment. Lay a
side the law Of cruelty and practice that of
kindness. Children should have above all
things, good examples before them. Would
you have them amiahle, present the exam
pie and they will initiate it. Treat them
as intelligent beings,no; as slaves; explain,
reason, advise; never be harsh in manner,
rude or violent. The advantages of ex-
emplar and mature judgment are means
enough to give weigh, 10 our counsels and
so extend our influence over these little
ones.
The true Influence to be sought in the
government of children is that Of lore ana
respect.
The want Of skill and tact shown in most
families IN the treatment of young children
has led to succession of generations oil
men and women, who have entered upon
the duties of life quite unprepal ed for them.
All the reforms proposed by philan'hro-
pists and philosophers would fal! indeiin-
itely short Of that which should perfect the
domestic and early training Of children
Mankind seem TO be very much in earnest
in altering and restraining the vices and
bad habits Of society after they are formed
All seem TO forget the better opportunity
of training up children in the way they
should 60 Now and then some intellectu
al person awakens TO the importance o.
this view Of the subject, and we occasional
| Iy see appeals to the mothers of he land,
as the real guardians of the countty's hon
or and prosperity, but after an efforto Two
The principle is lost sight of and forgotten
We conclude by urging upon all our read
ers who have families, to make the expert
ment al once, of ruling their children will
kindness and reason. Treat them as com
panions, as persons in whom you contide
and whom you love. The difference vii
soon be perceived in the change of ihei
conduct and the development of the mos
delightful traits of character. Happy is
the home where affection guides the feet o
the young.-[N. Y. True Sun.