The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1863-02-06
STREET CONDUCT.

Ci nLAsl
TO this important subject much attention has,
no doubt, been given by experienced teachers
and others, who seem to feel deep and lively
interest in the community. Yet from the rude
acts whic.s are SO prevalent, in fact, some of
which border ON the barbarous, one would sup
pose that proper street behavior, is some new
ly discovered science, just lately introduced,
badly understood, and but slightly appreciated.
If such conduct, as alluded to, is allowed ogo
on in our midst unreprimandod, and without
any word of disapproval, who is there amongst
us that could, or would, be found willing TO
draw aside the curtain which hides futurity
from our gaze, and there behold the unfortunate
victims of an early acquired, but deeply rooted
vice: A vice engendered and fostered by bad
associations; and, unfortunately, we may say,
encouraged by those weak, ignorant, and grasp
ing parents, who, in their hurry to acquire
worldly wealth, overlook their principal trea-
sure and clarge-ther children. To parents,
principally, must we look for assistance in the
redressipg OF a wrong, which every day is ma
king greater inroads upon the morals Of our
youth, and the peace and comfort of our citi-
gems generally. If they refuse to arouse them
selves, or evince an interest in the outdoor con-
duct of their children, then our cause is van
quished, all our hopes Of reformation gone for
although teachers can, and do, labor hard to
lessen the terrible evil yet their best efforts will
prove futile and useless, unless sustained in their
arduous task by religious parents, who not only
feel their responsibilities, but endeavor to fulfil
them; leaving the remainder to the care and
watchfulness of Him whose love we all expe-
rience, but from whose all-seeing eye none can
re-e-,--- sarsl nd lnrirs ;ssinne-
ton of many fond mother has deferred man
from pursuing the evil on which he was bent,
why, for moment, pretend to say that moth
er could not save and shield her son whilst
young and easily guided from an evil of the
worst character, if she but take the proper step
to insure success. 1t is no uncommon thing to
see mothers evincing the greatest anxiety about
their children taking contagious diseases; nay,
timid almost to nervousness, for fear they should
90 near the diseased child, and by contact, be-
come infected with similar malady; and yet,
strange ms it may seem, and inconsistent as it
is with duty and good sense, we often see those
very same mothers exposing their children to
the danger Of catching a moral plague more dis
gustng in its form and effects, than any scourge
ever seen or known; inasmuch al it kills the
soul, sears and hardens the heart, dethrones in
tellect, and disfigures them both morally, men
tally and bodily. From the various evils ari-
sing from permitting children to indulge in bad
language, and conduct so displeasing to God,
and so discreditable to an intelligent, refined
community, just now portrayed under the form
of a severe plague, we may well pray to be ex-
empted from, or, ut least, resolve to leave moth
ing undone, on our part, to prove the great de-
sire we have, that virtue and order should be-
come the characteristics of our YOUTH in place
of vice: and that in our midst, wise fathers,
careful mothers, obedient children, and judicious
teachers may in future prevail. PICKLES.