Weekly New Oregon plain dealer. (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1866-1867, 1866-11-16

plain before a reformation can d.
wrought. Coercion cannot accom-
plish this. Hence to all the salu
tary ifluences Of the law, and O
public opinion, must be added tn,
gentler ones of affectionate regart
for the welfare of the wrong docr
he must be made conscious of YOU
sympathy and his Judgment reached
by the language of conviction ant
persuasion. The channels givin,
access to the heart, and direction
to the impulses and purposes of MAJ
are innumerable. Instead of giving
the cold shoulder to the man in his
sober moments, who is addicted tc
excessive use of ardent drink, it is
your highest moral and social duty
to manifest not only but to FEEL an
interest in his good and welfare
The heart may be reached by such
influences and a lasting reformation
produced. This influence is illus
trated in the case of a lad of scarce
ly twelve summers, who on going
to the door on the approach of his
father in a state of intoxication,
observing his condition shrank back
from the door. The father observ-
ing his conduct called the lad to
him when discovering blood on the
face of the boy, he asked what
caused it. The boy hesitatingly
replied, I've been fighting, father,
"Fighting! what have you been
fighting for Dick?'' Don't want to
tell, father" Immediately the
father enragcd in proportion as al
cohol had robbed reason of its throne
began chastising the little boy,
thrcatning to beat the life out of
him unless he told why he had been
fighting. At last the boy says,
father, don't strike me again and
will tell you. ''What was you
fighting for?'' "Why," said the no.
ble little fellow, "a boy out there
said you was a drunken old fool and
I just thrashcd him for it, The
result of this interest Of a mere lad
in the reputation of his father pro-
""sf|Da (laasStaipsh (laStaip 1efaEmatiien,. .~......s
up the youth of the land rests an
overwhelming responsibility, that
must eventually tell fearfully of
the woe, or in cxtacics of the happy
future in life, from these social in
auences. People should be so
taught and trained in youth as to
know and profit by the ascertained
results of human experience. But
it is the privilege and duty of every
human being arrived at the maturi-
ty of his faculties, to use and inter-
pret experience in his own way.
And this Interpretation is seldom
wrong. when it may not and its caus-
es, be traced directly home to the
indulgence of some kind friend and
perhaps doting father or mother.
GO with me through the streets Of
New Oregon, when drunkenness and
revelry are making night hideous;
90 with me and look in upon those,
who, around the gambling table and
the festive board, are wasting the
vigor of their manhood and throw
ing away their earthly substance,
and behold the almost prattling
children, Of tender and indulgent
mothers, looking upon the debauch-
cry of this midnight revel. Thus
are children educated in the schools
of vice, and as age natures, habit
and association with vicious
persons, not judgment, lead them
drunkenness. Oh! the pangs of an
affectionate parent upon the first
knowledge of mis-step Of a spoiled
and petted child. Parents! your
highest duty to your children, your
selves, and yonr country demand
that you make your homes attrac'
tive, and that TINY in social enjoy.
'ment spend their evenings there
amid the smiles, and with the in.
structive lessons impaired only in
the family circle, and around the
family altar.
| Another responsibility and one
whose consequences, we cannot shu1
| is the social influences Of our owl
acts. 1t is really of Importance
not only what men do, but als'
what manner of men they are, thai
do it. Our system of education Ii
such that from the highest class O.