Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1862-01-08
APrOper Education for the Young


One of the most important, and probably
one Of the least thought of duties, of the
present time, is the education of the youth
Of the country. Thousands of the wealthiest
citizens of this country have been utterly
ruined by the changes produced by the war,
and before it is closed doubtless thousands
more will be ruined. Many have been thrown
entirely out of business, and a large number
have only been able to save themselves by
turning their capital and labors into some
pursuit connected with the present war.
Some will make money rapidly, while many
will lose such sums as to change most Sc
riously the condition of their families.
One of the first duties, of all parents in
these times, is to bringup their children so
as to be prepared for great changes of for.
tune-prspared to use poverty only as means
Of calling forth greater exertions courage
and resolution, or to employ wealth with
out Ostentation or luxury, or idle habits or
vice. To be the same men and women, frank,
earnest, honest, open, friendly equally in all
possible circumstances Of outward wealth or
poverty. This is the highest philosophy as
well as one of the most beautiful effects of
religion. 1t is also one of the most difficult
aims of all trueeducation. Indeed this dis.
position practically carried out is an inward
wealth more valuable than any outward for
tune in its worth.
Next to this in Importance is it that each
family of young people should be educated
according to their expectations. If parent
because ne has been wealthy, in the hopes
that something will turn up" educates his
children to spend money largely, and not to
earn 1t before they spend, they may grow up
elegant as butterflies. Solomon in all his
gloIies may not have been arrayed as one of
these, and yet the temptations to some un-
worthy conduct to supply these wants and
artificial cravings will be so great as almost
infallibly to lead them to vice, degradation
and ruin, in some form or other. At least,
1t must be source Of constant anxiety TO a
parent, ard of misery to the individual so
educated. True mental education does not
make any one less capable of work, but it
renders him more able to perform the very
highest kind Of work-the work which 10
most profitable to society, and therefore most
remunerauve to himself But habits of ex-
pensive dress and entertainments, of wines
and horses, Of late hours, costly suppers, and
hosts of waiters-the habit of these things
once acquired in early life, beyond the means
of supporting them, all tend to make it
harder and more hopeless for family to earn
BY industry an independence. Or, il by
chance some member of the family, by great
sHertiOn, begins to acquire, a single week Of
pleasure will use it all up, and produce a
blank hopelessness utterly destructive of all
future e1ertion aud prospects.
On the other hand, there are not few
men through the country who make large
fortunes, and ruin their children BY bringing
them up with great expectations" perhaps,
but no corresponding education TO the
proper use ofwealth. Many of these parents
have ne taste themselves for many of those
objects that are really worth having where
Tho means are at hand 10 procure them. II
would Be folly for such TO pretend 10 enjoy