The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1859-07-28
AdnlirabIe Article.

g QUR Country RIGHT or WRONG y
There is ut least as much justice and pro-
prcty in another exclamation-yiz our
friends-our children right or wrong for if
patriotism, or the love Of country, renders the
first feeling admissible, surely the natural and
stronger love cf ones own offspring, and the
intimatcs Of our domestic circle, offers an
abundant cXcnsc for the other. We well
know itis not wise, or perhaps consistent with
the teachings of religion to give our sanction
to what is positively wrong what we KNOW
to be wrong aad get il 4 choice Of evils, may
we, and should VIC not, select the least.
child, in spite of our best efforts, by education
al influences ana home discipline, such as we
have been able 10 nGaiutaih. may reach adult
age an ungoycrnable, foolish, or vicious per-
son; and besides the pain and anXieties caus-
ed al home by son or daughter under these
circumstances, society, eventually, perhaps,
the law becomes offended by one having the
strongest natural claims upon onr interest and
affection. If, at such a moment, we join with
the world, and in nm unforgiying spirit of
stern Justice, drive this child from home and
our protection. running the risk Of bringing
greater misconduct and perhaps ultimate ruin,
ON all sides we hear loud eXclamatons Of
- heartless parent!' unnatural brute " If,
on the contrary, we still allow our natural love
to govern, and stand by the erring, renewing
CIgr private efforts TO correct the evils Of 4 life
that Is precious to us-then, it is "bind indul-
gcnce = . parental infttuat;on, and encour-
agcmcnt to wrong doiug!' What course is
left for the parent, but to endure the worlds
rsproach or scorn, and still obcying the best
impulse of tke heart eZclain-'' my children
and my friends, right or wrong y
Impartial or Indifferent judges will freely
condemn and abandon, perhaps punish the
mistakes or Faisdecds Of our children it is an
unforgiving world we live in, spite of the
heavenly injunction" YEA, SEVENTY TINES
SEVEN shalt thou forgive thy brother" We
are, percllauce, the last, the only hope from
which crriuE humanity may derive the oppor-
tunity to mend and at the very period when
the ignorant and condemning world is most
severe and unforg}yiUg, it may be that poni-
tcncG and reformation have reached the
heart, where folly ana wickcdncss mad so
lately ruled. This is especially true of the
Young and inexperienced, in whom character
is ever undergoing change, and where, iif error
and vice starsle us, it is mostly through the
apt teachings and evil influences o. older sin
negs-of wicked and designing men. If, then,
our country is wropg, let Us still protect and
defend her, until she gets old CROUCH and
wise enough 10 be rlght; and so too with
trends ard fanj.v-let us be slow to abandon
those that are near and dear to Us, when error
clouds theirpsth. R. L. B.
a few days since We received a copy
of Ftt@gcraiTs city Item, of Philadel-
pAia, with the above article marked The
writer Of it evidently means we'll enough,
but he has not half done the work he un-
dertook-unless in writing it he was ac-
tuated by some selfish aim. The true
expression Of the sentiment which he has
made his theme would be,-"our friends
our children. right or wrong lit
:sneag 1oeH try aad right hen1" We
do not believe iu upholding either chill
dren or friends when we hncqg they are
in the wrong. On the contrary, we be-
lieye that it is our duty, by kind and zeal
GUS efforts to endeavor to reclaim them to
the right. We arc not a father, but we
are a son, brother, friend and as such
we protest against the incompleteness of
the sentiment of "R. L. B."-ED. JoUR. I
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