The union Democrat., 1869-01-23

American children are rude, or i'll behaved
On the contrary. taey struck me as more
poite, more conslderate, more orderly, as a
general rule. than our own but they need to
be dealt with in different way You must
treat them as persons who have q will of their
own, and q right to exercise it. If YOU
appeal only to your own authority, you are
apt to get pert answer.
Remember who you are talking to sir I"
said an indignant parent to fractions boy :;
Il am your father, sir - well, who's to
blame for that?' said young impertinenee !;
"taint me -
One little boy, to whom have already re-
ferred, was making himself very disagreeable
on one occasion, when his mother had him
with her on a visit 10 some friends. She took
him to the bedroom, and told him that if be
did net behave himself she would shut him up
m the closet. "You can't. There aia't a
closet here" said the child, triumphantly.
'I'll put you into the wardrobe. then" !"
''No, you won't" II will" Try it ~
She took him instantly, put him in and turn
ed the lock. Thereupon Young America be-
gan to kick up tremendous noise inside,
battering the doors of the wardrobe as if he
would have knocked them off their hinges.
His mother, fearful that he would do mischief
either to himself or tie furniture, and remem-
bering that the house was not hers, tork him
out and said in great distress 80 George,
don't know what to do with you ~ don;
you?" said be, looking up into her face.
mo, indeed. don't" "Then.' said be,
''if that is so, I'll behave which be accord
ingly did, marching into the other room with
her, and conducting himself for the rest of the
evening like little gentleman. She had
capitulated-given mp the struggle for au-
thority. lie was now behaving on his Cwn
responsibility.
The case suggests another which illustrates
the same point, but has grotesque feature
of its own. A gentleman in Northampton,
with whom | spent very delightful week,
and who belongs to one of the old Puritan
families told me that for several years he had
tried whipping with his boy, but found it in
etfectual. On one occasion the boy was
caught in an oft-repeated fault. His father
took him to his room upbraided him for his
persistent disobedonce; reminded him
which was probably yunnecessary-thath he haG
several times been obliged. in the way of
paternal dutv, to apply the rod of correction );
that it seemed to have as vet been in vain !;
that he was much disheartened. and was at q
loss that to do with him. A bright thought
occurred to the boy. Fa'her," said he,
''suppose you prdy!!" The father was a
good man, and could not refuse to do this.
But having a strong suspicion in his mind
that the boy had suggested this Christian ex-
erclse IN order to escape punishment, he
prayed for the young reprobate first, and
whipped him afterwards. He told me, how
ever, that he had never been able to make
anything of the boy till be gave up fogging
and appealed to the boy s sense of what was
right aud proper.
This seemed to be general experience in
the States. In most of the American schools
whipping is diScopt ptinued and in many cases
prohibited by law and yet can testify from
my own observation, that the order maintain
ed in these schools is more perfect than have
ever seen in similar schools elsewhere. The
precocity of American children and the dem
ocratjc ideas that pervade society and filter
down even into the minds Of the Youngest,
account, probably, for the three facts--frst,
that American parents, guardians and teach
ers do not expect the reverence ard unques-
tionable obedience that is looked for and in
culcated with us second. that the children
there will not be governed by mere authority
and force; and third. that happily, as a
counterpoise, they become at an exceedingly
early age amenablc to reason.
THE SISTERS OF MERCY is no asso-
citation of religious character more worthy
of the gratitude of suffering humanity than
the Sisters of Mercy. This devoted and saint
like sisterhood, in the discharge of their duty
brave pestllence In Its most appalling forms
If they are not living exemplars of true re-
ligion we may look in vain for such exemplars
on this earth The following card which we
clip from the Examiner illustrates the truth
of our remarks
SAN Francisco. January G, 1869
TIE Reu. Mother Superior Of the Sisters Of
Nercy, San FTdnciSco-Please accept the
within check of $50. winch | intend for the
sustenance of your most valuable institution
| would at this opportunity mention that
while at the Smallpox Hospital, sick, | had
for the first time occasion to convince myself
of the excellency of the Sisterhood Of Mercy,
and while | estimated their value rs comfort
to the sick to the full extent of my ability, |
found in them, and particularly in Sister
Mary StaDislaus (whom | considered my
guardian angel such godlike beings as /
never could have been convinced were living
on this globe. l wish you wond consider my
small donation not as a compensation for
what received at the hands of your kind sis
ters (sueh could not be attempted with mon
ey, but merely as a small material support
of the most godly cause among mankind. and
of which you are Mother Superior. l am
with profound respect yours, etc. ETC.,
WM. KRoMER.
A CooL PRoPoslTIoN Government is
now automatically engaged, in connection
with the Alabama claims in an effort TO in
duce England to confess that she was wrong
in recognizing the so-calied Confederate States
as belliyerent power There is little re-
belliou in Cuba. The rebels do not control
more than one or two towns. Yet. bill has
heen introduced in Congress. recognizing the