The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-10-28
Local Matters.
On Monday, December ID, five weeks from thi;
day. Congress will convene.

uaJ, SOHS icSs WAL SOilNChS'
WonDs TO PAREHTs.-The instruction of our
children is the important duty of our lives We
have received life, and have been protected,
nourished, and educated. We can make ade-
quate return for these benefits; only, in our
turn, impart them to those who 10 follow us;
and by the faithful performance OF this duty we
prolong our salutary influence in the world,
and pcrpetuate blessings to unborn millions.
And this is an individu al affair. Our Efforts may
be the efficiently exerted by concerted action,
but the responsibility for the neglect of this dutyis
to rest upon each individual. Are we acting under
a conviction of this truth? How many of the Inen
and women of Washington are giving to the subject
their earnest and serious attention, Few indeed.
Each one appears to regard the matter a some
thing his neighbor should attend to for him, and for
which he has no accountability. How unworthy
this is Of our political principles, and of the rcli
giou5 faith by which we profess TO be guided They
who wish TO act a conscientious part in relation to
the subject will look upon il they cannot
disregard without condemnation and disgrace.
But what is each one to do, since all cannot be
teachers and directors? All reply, can and
should be advisers and contributors. There is
man too ignorant TO benefit our public and private
schools by manifcsting interest in them. There
is no man amongst US too poor to encourage them
by his contributions There is no man whose ad-
monitions 10 the youth Of our city would not at
times turn them to the right path, and often pre-
vent the pervcrsion Of time and talents by The thou
sands who daily loiter in the streets, and whose
evenings are passed in the practice Of the worst Of
vices. Without the encouragement or indulgence
Of those who are older, these practices would not
be pursued. II the words Of stern condemnation
and reproach, or of earnest remonstrauoe and per-
suasion, were daily addressed to them, their ca
recr in crime and folly would be brief and the in
flucncc Of even the humblest man and woman in
our community would be felt and acknowledged
How is il now, however? So far from the exist
cncc Of such condition Of sentiment toward the
young generally, fathers and mothers do not
entertain it toward their own offspring, but per-
init them to wander as they will into the snarcs
and temptations that beset them at every step
Childrcn-whosc parents most unaccountaby re-
gard them as free from all pernicious Practice
may be heard nightly in the streets utteung the
most obscene language and wicked basphomes
They arc mistaken who suppose these exhibitions
proceed alone from the "poor and vulgar" Vul-
garity s scarcely manifested less by the children
Of the thrifty and well TODD than by the poor and
needy The propcnsites Of all arc alike. the only
distinction exists between the well taught aud we'll
controlled on the one side, and tho neglected or
pampcred on the other. The youth who il in
structcd in a good school, and whose parents con
,tantly inquire into his progress, and whose home
il the scene Of his hours of recreation, il never
guilty Of tho practices We have DESERVED; but he
who attends school, or in the hours OF vacation
wandcrs wherever he lists, is seldom free from
them.
In the performance Of his duty the writer Of hcsc
remarks has occasion TO Observe much Of the free
intercourse Of boys with each other throughout the
city, when they feel wholly free and unrcstraincd
by the presence Of those having control over them,
and It would often be in his power To relate such
truths to parents respecting their children would
cover them with establishment and confusion. Yet
they persist in huggng TO them the most blissful
ignorance Of the tendencies Of their own Culpablo
and shameful neglect.
Whoever desires rightly to perform his duty in
this matter will ever have his own children under
the control of good instructor, sofe within the
precincts Of his own home; aud he will DO all in his
power TO induce the imitation Of this conduct by
othersaround him When this shall be rightly at.
tended TO, free, and riots, and drunkenness, and
obscenity, and profanity, and murder, viii be less
frequent than Of late in Washington. BUr PRoEA-
BLY, NOT TILL Then.
a Doc AT FAuLr.-On Saturday afternoon last
a man who very Dutch and very drunk sat
down somewhat Involuntary upon the pavement
opposite office, to the delight Of a number Of
well dressed boys who gathered around him, and
to the evident modification OF large, good look
ing yellow dog, who appeared 10 be his companion.
The dog formed prominent. and by far the most
dignifcd figure in tho group. What his reflections
were as he looked steadily upon his helpless mas
ter, will not undertake 30 report, especially
he did not give them uttcrance; but ours respect
ing him certainly Of compassion and regret
that he should be found in company 80 far beneath
his estate.
We we're once acquainted with ? respectable
pointer dog, Of whom II was said tina, he would
turn hnmcwnrd in conlefnnt end leave solilary