American Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1855-1860, 1860-02-23
For Tho I.Apsss,s, o,,.,,..

a. a. n III
The question possesses more interest than
superficial Observers will readily perceive.
Involving ss i does, train Of cOnaequen
ces that are yet in the future, and the ul.
innate Of which may be fearful to many
families, now happy and prosperous or at
east appear to be SO, Its d subject that
1,would labor faith nlly to bring before
the minds Of parents. II my faith. woald
sa.isfy me that Ishould accomplish some
good, but ! fear cannot. | will not how.
ever forbear . short effort.
Il is the kind Of training, and the gener-
al circumstances that surround our chill.
dren, that I am disposed to quarrel with.
l know that it is difficult, perhaps inpossi-
bic in many cases, to use any Kind ofwords
10 e9onneiling young people, that can be
understood by them, in such a way as to
cause them to believe tha. our plans are
better than theirs, or that our experience
in the affairs Of life She uld be any guide
for them. Having marked out path for
themselves and strewn It with flowers, they
are impatient Of any kind Of bindrance, or
check to their anticipated pleasures. And
right at thispoint parental authority be.
comes imperions: and tits the shrinking
back from its efficient exercise, which en-.
dangers thehappiuess, and too often ruins
the future, Of thousands who otherwise
mightbe happy and respectable in long
course Of life, What then shall we do with
our children? know thai the difficulties
to bssurmouuted BY parents are many.
and sometimes serious. They come more
from outside influences, than from any
causes which exist at home. 1 will emu,
merate some Cfthem. In The FIRST place
as society is constituted at present, It re-
quires as much meafis now to sustain a
young gentleman from ten to twenty
years OF age one year, as forty years ago;
it would have taken to keep Eve, including
a quarters schooling. for the same term
A young gent now, can't think OF getting
through the year with less than $500, to
$500, whereas formerly young man Of
economical habits, would think $3.50 per
year, with boarding in, good wages. and
at the end Of few years; would have e.
nough saved 10 commence business, or, at
least, to enter quarter section Of land
1t requires as many dollars now, to fin.
'isa young lady, and to bring her out, as
1t used to take to educate a whole family
of children, and give each oil tRem a mar
risge portion, if the number did not ex.
coed FIVE or six. And after all. such young
ladies and gentlemen are as general thing
no more Qualified to comrnshce the conflict
Of life, than children bndet teh Years, Of
ten much less So
II has often been my lot to listen 70
something like the following, from fathers
more especially. ~ am perplexad to
know what 10 do With my children; the
subjec, troubles more than / ever expect.
ed TO Be troubled about family affairs.
am heartily sick of Of tho silly fashions
and folles of the times: / know what my
duty IS, To myself and my mily; and yet
| scarcely feel competent to tie task Of
oVerruliug tie feelings of my wife and
children. Custom requires that my chill.
dren 10 be respec table, shall be equal to
others, in the style and costlness Of their
dress. And while my Judgment utterly
condemns, either the propriety or justice
Of being compelled TO submit to s or 10
feet in width, Of crnoline; 8 to 5 new
styles OF boOnets, in the year; with twice
the number OF dress, fall prices and sty les
And because my ..heighbor's daughters are
taking music lessons, aid attending the
dancing school. I cohnot bear TO see my
daughters mortified and shedding tears,
because they cannot be permitted TO the
same accomplishments: My sons too,
thust have an quail amount expended on
them or they will be laughed at. | said
was sick Of these follies; shameless, sin
ful absurditiesl hm more; 1 am perpexet
to know how to meet the expenses: my in
come. with all my exertons. falls short
/ find myself falling behind annually; my
taxes are higher, and still higher; many
little dues, l would be glad TO meet but
have not the ability; and l am constantly
compelled to m Ike other debts 10 keep "
with the times. II I become peremptory,
am told that my children cannot marry
respectfully, unless they are equal TO 9th
srs. in accomplishments. 1t is pleaded
that daughters must not soil their hand
in the kitchen: hy boys must not learr
trades, for such are not respectable. They
must have professions. My heart ache
att the PROSPECT before them; l car power
ty and wretcbedhess awaits sobie Of them
What is the renedy?I cannot long stem
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