Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1856-03-20
1 or he Chronicle.

have onCeatO d To point out wltt we be-
licve to be a primary cause Of the fearful
prevalence of moral delinquency exhibited
in the character und conduct &C vs
number OF the rising generation. But we
are not disposed to cast all the blame up
ON the method pursued to obtain knowledge,
| nor yet unduely ceBsure those, whose busi-
ness 1t is to mpart instruction. For their
neg lect, whether casual or willul, fuils TO
account for every case OF want Of correct
principles Of moral upr ghtDe.s, inasnuch
as we know that "a majority, perhaps, OF
the public instructors of our county are
decidedly in favor Of, aud exert quite a
material influence on the sile OF youthful
III raliy and virtue. There are other
causes in operation and other deeterous
principles at work, spreading their bancIul
influence and exeriing their poisonous pow
er upon the very heart OF our social man.
ners. And if they are not checked, il their
evil course is no. turned aside, or entirely
reformed, they will ever present an efectual
barrier in The way of moral improvement
though all our public instruction should be
virtuous and correct. We purpose there
fore, to call attention 10 another eau. Q
which it is to be feared is very materially
incre asing the tide Of tvi, that is overrun
ing our land; that is, the want of proper
and efficient home discipli, e. 1t may be
for the waEt of enlightenment on the sub
jecl, yet we confess TO a decided ucquies-
cence in the truth of that ancient maxim
OF the wise man, Train up u child in the
way he should go; and when he is old, he
will not depart from H." But from some
cause or other it appears evident that this
training is in great measure becoming
deficient, indeed in many instances it seems
to be entirely reelected How often DO
we fnd it the case that children OF respect
abe, nay even professedly pious parents,
are subjected to no rules OF FIRMLY govern
ment whatever, bat nre left TO take what
ever course in life they think best AnG
is it to be wondered atm view Of the
many shares that are laid to cntrap the
simple and unwary, by the vicious portion
: Of mankind, and the many ent;cing and
captivating forms that vice is made TO as.
sumo, and the many apologies that are put
! forth IN excuse of a course of crime, and
the gorgeous decorations. and golden cover
ings that are employed to hide the deadly
poison that iu'ks beside the pathway o!
sensuality and degradation,--is it, we ask,
any wonder, that left almost entirely to the
control Of snch infu,nccs, they shall 60
astray, Join in combinations Of evil, an
finally tecome wrecked Of every moral and
,irtuous principle.
Some individuals seem to think that their
duty to their children only requires them
hta;. lao. Il In;.
place them in circumstances and under in.
srnction where they may acquire a certain
degree OF intellectual culture aud their work
is done; they have no more concern about
them. Being thus abandoned, as it were,
IL they should chance to shave any atten-
ton paid to the cultivation OF their moral
natures by their teachers, it is considered
all well and good, but that is ouly a mat
ter Of seco ,dary cons detation, and is never
ven that Iromineuce tina, it should hive.
Besides, a this, If the Instructions they
may psrchsnce thus reoaiva, aro not faith
fully and rerseveringly followed up ~ the
family circle by the enforct IN mt OF strict
and who esome discipline, it is but throw
ing labor away. II parental auth rlty is
SO Lax as to have no control over the virlu-
GUS character of children, it 10 mot TO be
expected that ,hrse, cnder whose care they
are temporarily placed, should exercise any
very extended influence for good, over their |
conduct, when it should thus be done in |
opposition 10 the influence and teachings
OF the hreside. 1t Is the testimony Of the
thousands of our race, who have become
eminent for their integrity and virluous
character, that they received the elements
oil Il cir grevtn, ss and success, while under
the control OF vir:uous parents. Though |
many that enjoyed these favors in the days
OF their s'uth, have. ,by the pow'r OF
perverted education, been plunged alter
wards into the gulf of both mental and
moral ruin, yet they are but exceptions to
a general rule, and form but small numb.
or. when compared with that great multi.
tude that have been r.ined for the want of |
such control. The soil Of the youthful
heart is generally very prolific. Aud the
frat seeds that are there sown will be most
likely TO yield the greatest harvest in after
lie, and exert the most powe fal influence
upon their iu'ure desliny. I( the seeds of |
vce are . wn, in a ! pr, bablty the homes,
will be one OF Cine; il thu seeds Of virtue,
II may be one Of moral greatness, und
worth.
There are other individuals, whose con.
duct toward their children seem to say.
they are too good to be placed under any
reslraint They perhaps act as they do.
lssm wan, OF better knowledge, or their
conduct m,y spring from false notions OF
the powers of habit. They suppose that
IL they are inclined 10 be vicious and reck-
less while yelLg, yet when they arrive at
The yoass Of maturity tlcy will bsoouo
aAhamsd ~ thfir oonduot, and through he
'tren Jthsof teIr oSn ioLerent pride, and
her esunsp,iop of virtues pa,hs,will break
'Htkest hainsNof vice that have hitherto ,
round them, and choose ahc follow thai ,
which is exemplary and correct. Little we
ear, do such persons understand the fear.
ul power tha u confirmed habit exercises q
'ver the wost enlightened Judgment. A.
we'll might We undertake to stop the torrent
n its course, ss to attemp, to shake off
he slsvish chains. 10 which long con. .
Ft1 1aI .,f t.,l,,