The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1858-02-09
SELECTED FOR THE DEMOCRAT.
THE RESPECT AND LOVE DUE
FROM CHILDREN TO PARENTS.

Mr. YATES: presume to send You what
conceive an excellent piece, copied from
the N Y. Observer. If it meets your ap-
probation please give it a place in your
paper. NJ.
at is not the reluctant performance of
an appointed task that fulfils the spirit of
the Fifth Commandment. 1t is not the
willing and prompt fulfilment of duty,
that answers the requirements of that law.
1t demands a sentiment of respect that is
never wanting in the breast of youth who
has his heart in the right place.
The proud spirit ofaehe young. especially
in the present day, too often shows itself
in throwing off reverence for the parent,
and assuming an air of independence that
will not brook restraint, and pretends to
great contempt for paternal authority. 1t
is bad sign when child becomes bold
enough to lay aside the tender names of
Father and Mother, or those briefer and
more affectionate titles of Papa and Mama,
to which our infant lips were accustomed,
using in the place of these words of endear-
ment those coarser terms, the ''old man."
or the s'old woman, "-affecting to have no
special regard for the parents who bore
him-literally casting off fear, and refusing
to recognize the relationship of parent and
son or daughter. A father once said to
me that when walking in the street he over
heard his own son speaking of him as 'the
old man. and it cut him to the heart,
if the boy had pierced him with a knife.
The habits of domestic intercourse have
undergone a great change III modern times,
perhaps for the better. perhaps for the
worse. But it is said that when the elder
President EdN ards entered a room where
his children were seated, they rose always,
and remained standing until their father
had taken his seat. Two generations ago.
this was common practice in many fami-
lies. 1t was an extreme of respect for pa
rents; but it is far more worthy of being
observed than the contempt of parents
which in thousands of families has taken
the place of reverence.
Obedience and respect are to be render
ed with love. There is nothing in the
world of human affec tons, deeper, purer.
and more enduring, than paternal love.
Beginning long before the object of it is
conscious of the love it receives, strength
ening with every day and night of helpless
infancy. and Frightening with the budding
beauties of childhood and youth, it lives
and grows, surviving the waywardness,
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and ripper years. 1t lives even on the
grave of buried profigate, and when the
parent has become a saint in heaven, if
sorrow ever enters that abode of bliss, it
yearns in the parental bosom over child
not there.
Such love demands. and has right to
demand. the love of child in return. The
mother is the first object of the infants
love; and that first emotion ought to be
cherished with peculiar fondness, and kept
bright and pure while the life of that moth
er lasts. All other earthly friends may
forsake and forget. But when the sad
hoart, siok with disappointment and in
gratitude, turns to the breast on which it
beat first, it finds it just as warm and loving
as in its morning hour. That is friend
to love. There are no claims on earth so
strong as those that bind you to your pa
rents that gave you birth. You may love
your brothers and sisters: and by and by
you may love one whom you may take to
your side as a wife orhusband-but never,
never while life lasts let any love diminish
that which you give your parents!
This affection must be shown by words
and deeds. 1t is true there are great
many ways of showing our feelings, and
there are some who think it hardly worth
while to make any show of feeling at all.
They may love their friends but they keep
it all to themselves. They speak when
they are,spoken to. but they never scatter
around them niles and flowers and gentle
loving thoughts that gladden. those on
whom they fall. Happy is he who can
make others happy by words of love.
This is a joy which every one may have
and give. How sweet it must have been
to our first parent to hear the voice of Eve
in the garden when he found her at his side
How sweet to the mothers ear the first
words that her infants lips are able to
pronounce! and then as those lips grow
wiser and the heart is filled with stronger
passions, and the mind is cultivated and
improved, how does the parent love to hear
words of kindness from a child Children
rarely think of this. They never feel the
full force of it till they come to be parents
themselves.
Speak kindly, speak very kindly and
very frequently in kindness to your pa
rents. They must reprove you for your
faults. Their language may be severe,
and you may be half inclined to think they
do not love you, bnt believe it not. 1t is
for your good they chde you. Receive it
in love, and speak to them in tones and
words that will tell them how much you
prize their tenderness, and how deeply you
regret your faults. Slow them your love
by loving deeds as well as loving words
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