The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-10-28

day, Congress VIII convene
WoRDs TO PARENrs.-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 no ade-
quate return for these benefits; we can only in our
turn, irnpart them to those who TO follow u.s.
and by the faithful performance of this duty
can prolong our salutary influence in the world,
and pcrpetuate blessings to unborn milions.
And this is an individual affair. Our Efforts may
be the efficiently oxerted by concerted action
but the responsibility for the neglect Of this dutys
to rest upon each individual Are acting under
a conviction of this truth? How many ofthe men
and women of Washington giving to the subject
their earnest and serious attention. Few indeed
Each one appears to regard the matter a some
thing his neghbor should attend to for him. and for
which he has no accountability. How unworthy
this is Of political principles, and of the rcli-
gious faith by which profess TO be guided. They
who wish to act conscientious part in relation to
the subject will look upon il they cannot
disregard without condemnation and disgrace.
! But what is each to do, since all cannot be
teachers and directors? All, VIC reply, can and
should be advisers and contributors. There is no
man too ignorant to benefit our public and private
schools by manifcsting an interest in them. There
is no man amongst US too poor 10 encourage them
by his contributions. There is no man whose adj
monitions to the youth of our city would not at
times turn them 10 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 cncourag cement or indulgence
of those who older, these practices would not
be pursued. II the words Of stern condemnation
and reproach, or Of earnest remonstrancc and per-
suason, were daily addressed TO them, their ca
recr in crime and folly would be brief, and the in
fluenco Of even the bumbest 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 they will into the snarcs
and temptations that beset them at every step.
Chdren-whosc parents most unaccountably
gard them as free from all pernicious practice
may be heard nightly in the streets u,teung the
most obscene language and wicked blasphemics.
They are mistaken who suppose these exhibitions
proceed alone from the poor and vulgar" Vul-
garity is scarcely manifested less by the children
Of the thrifty and we'll TODD than by the poor and
needy. The propcnsties Of all arc alike: the only
distinction exists between the we'll taught aud we'll
controlled on the ono side, and the neglected or
pampcred on the other. The youth who IL in
structed in a good school, and whose parents con-
stantly inquire into his progress, and whose home
is the scene Of his hours Of recreation il never
guilty Of the practices we have described; but he
who attends no school, or in the hours Of vacation
wanders wherever be lists, is seldom free from
! them.
In the performance OF his duty the writer Of thcsc
remarks has occasion TO observe much Of the free
intercourse Of boys with each other throughout the
/ r n
by the presence Of thosc having control over them
and it would often be in his power TO relatc such
truths to parents respecting their children az would
cover them with astonishment and confusion. Yet
they persist in hugging to them tho most blissful
ignorance of the tendencies Of their culpablc
and shameful neglect.
Whoever desires rightly 10 perform his duty in
| this matter will ever have his own children under
the control of a good instructor safe within the
precincts of his home; aud he will DO all in his
| power 70 induce the imitation Of this conduct by
othcrsaround him. when this shall be rightly at
tended 10, fires, and riots, and drunkenness, aud
obscenty, and profanity, and murder, will be less
| frequent than Of late in Washington Bur rRoDA-
/ bly, NOT TILL THEN.
! a Doc AT FAuLr-on Saturday afternoon last
a man who was very Dutch and very drunk sat
/ down somewhat involuntarily upon tho pavement
| opposite Office, to the delight Of a number Of
/ well dressed boys who gathered around bin, and
| TO the evident modification Of large, good look
/ ing yellow dog, who appeared 20 be his companion
The dog formed prominent and by far the most
| dgnifcd figure in the group. What his reflections
were, he looked steadily upon his helpless mas
ter, will not undertake to report, especially "a
he did not give them uttcrance but ours respect
/ ing him we're certainly Of compassion and regret
! his estate
! We were once acquainted with respectable
! pointer dog, Of whom Il was said that he would
\ turn homowsrd in contempt and leave solitary
! upon the field any bunglng sportsman who would
| twice in succession fail 10 bring down HE game