The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1852-05-17

YOUTHFUL ROwDIEs--Our attention was called
on Friday TO the fact, that number OF boys and
halt grown youths cOngregate every afternoon in
the vicin ty of Marshall and Third streets, and
amuse themselves with stoning the windows Of
dwellings and the Illuminating quadrupeds in that
neighborhood Very recently they pursued cow
belonging to gentleman residing on Shockoe Hill,
and pelted her with switches and stones leading
her res ular John Gipn race, until she absolute.
ly fell down and died from exhaustion On Wed.
nesday last the same party pursued fine white
cow, and cornering her in 4 lot, located on Mar
shall, between 3rd and 4yh streets, whipped her
with sticks until either thelr strength or the sticks
gave out and then using her eyes the centre of
target, kept up running fire OF stones until their
sport Was suddenly stopped ~ the ownerlof the
unfortunate animal. the head OF the poor brute
was severely cut, and she was released from her
tormenters in almost dying condition. This
species OF juvenile amusement should be stopped
and ii the parents of the youths engaged in it
not curb such conduct, the police should ny their
hands at it.
The unlimited license which msny children are
allowed, as regards their ocomotion ard action in
public thoroughfaI has proved source of great
eva All lLt past DIS IL VIII cdteI III
The organic alton Of the various juvenile cat-clu6s
that meet to fight and stone another, has sprung
out OF want of proper restraint il keeping boys at
home or lis vicinity before and after school hours
Allowed to roam the streets at pleasure the sors of
our most respectable citizens may become the as
sociates OF yagrants idlers and taevs and il was
but few weeks since tnat chronicled the arrest
OF boy about l. years OF age, Of very respectable
parentage, who was found IN company with no.
toriOus young thief about the same age Immediately
after the stealing Of some haudkerchiefs by the lat
ter.
II men are known By the company they keep,
and have the judgment 10 decide as 70 who their
associates snail De, are not boys peTpetua!y liable
TO injure their good fame and have their u4yrals
corrupted ~ being allowed 10 associate with
whomsoeyer they may see f;-inexperienced as
they are in detecting halfgrown roeues or con-.
panions OF doubtful o. pa character We desire
that parents should ponder these matters we'll and
consider whether they doing their whole duty
to themselves, and the future prosperity OF their
children By allowing them TO roam uurestricte Ily
at large In the retired village, almost exempt
from the temptations and crime Of the large city,
such privilege may be allowed with impunity-
but the numerous offspring OF shame and misery
that swarm our thoroughtares and crowd around
the theatre doors half clad, who rip out fear.
fu! OATH or ltf handkerchief with the skill of a
veteran criminal, are not calculated TO exempiy
the virtues of honesty, morality, industry to the
children OF the industrious and respectable. II was
but day or two ago that We recorded the arrest
of boy not II years OF age, who stole some segars
from store on Main street. Upon his examjua.
ton it was found that he had frequently stolen
small artc!es-and MS demeanor before the Mavor
was that OF a hardened care.naught criminal, and
not OF the innocent, happy, guleless child. We
could transcrbe several such scenes enacted AZ the
bars Of our public justice-5ut it is task alike
loathsome and heartrending. An a wtul RESPONSE.
oiiity devolves upon the guardians of our youth,
and misplaced laxity of restraint now on their
part In respect to their wards may develop its eff
fects in future penitentiary confinement.