The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1872-06-19
Children.

Perhaps in nothing greater discrep
ancy of character is manifest, than il
the notions entertained concerning
children. There are those who secret
ly regard them as little better than ne
cessary nuisances-their noise dis.
tracts, their irquisitiveness bores, theil
eager enthusiasm wearies, their little
faults and blnnders provoke. Such
people look with establishment on those
who seem to find pleasure in this rest.
less seething part of humanity, and
could they reconstruct the world, one
of the first changes they would inaug-
urate would be to have all the inhabi-
tants enter it ready grown up. We
are happy to believe, however, tina,
this class is small and decreasing one
Few can resist the animating and
cheering influence of fresh, ardent and
impetuous childhood who find no i'm
pulse of admiration at it's free and
bounding vitality; who have no smile
of sympathy with their exultant joys,
or tears of pity for its acute, though
brief sorrows. A far larger number
see great beauty and find much amuse-
ment in children, but regard them
mainly as lovely playthings-dolls for
grown-np people to dress and fondle in
hours of leisure, but to be set aside
when the serious business of life de-
mands attention.
1t is we'll for tho children that hui
manity contains something higher for
them than either of these. The love
whose birth in the heart of the parent
is simultaneous with the child's birth
into the world is its greatest safeguard.
1t transforms the care, labor and self
denial that would have been burden
into a joyful duty it lifts the little one
from being an irksome trouble or an
amusing toy into its true place as a
human being, having unbounded ca
pacities to he developed and limitless
powers to be unfolded. No one, into
whom some portion Of this true love
mingled with reverence is not infused
is fit to have any charge of children,
either in their educational or social
life.
Yet parents are not without danger
of thinking their love to he all-sufic-
ing for the welfare of their children
1t is the foundation on which they must
build, but the superstructure is yet to
be reared. There is no daty of life for
which there is less accountability to
public opinion or less interference from
others than that of parental training
and culture. Yet there is none which
requires more Judgment and watchful-
ness. There must be appreciation of
the greatness of the task, of the impor-
lance of the responsibility there must
be faith in the capacity that is to be
developed; there must be patient and
arduous self discipline, that no unwor-
thy example refute the teachings of the
lips. The child is not wax, to be mold
ed, or stone, to be hewn into whatever
shape you prefer-it is living, think
ing, feeling, rational being, with ener-
gies to be aroused, powers to be awak-
ened, moral sense to he cultivated,
Judgment to be guided. 1t is free
agent, with individuality and will that
must be recognized and respected
The object therefore should be, not to
stamp our own minds upon the young
but to animate theirs; not to make
them think our thoughts, but to quick
en- their own not to impart knowledge
SO much as to inspire the love of truth ;
not to impose arbitrary rules or beliefs,
but to enlighten the conscience and
kindle aspiration.
There are few better inheritances
than a happy childhood. 1t is of itself
a preparation for the duties and trials
of life-a fund on which we may draw
in long years to come. When children
are continually thwarted in their plans
and opposed in their desires, when
their efforts meet with no appreciation,
their eager hopes and condolences with
no response, and their fears and trials
with no consolation, they will grow up
to believe happiness to he o myth and
momentary qualification the only sub
stitate. But where wise and loving
parents combine to make sunshiny
home for their little ones, where they
respect their feelings, sympathize in
their pleasures, soothe their troubles,
and lead them gently into paths of vir-
tue, they give them not only real
present happiness, but also an ideal
one, which, in after life, they will pur-
sue and overtake. A bright conception
of home joys, and the appreciation of
their simple sources, are the best foun-
datiOns. The natural cravings of child
hood are not for wealth or its appli-
ances, they can be happy with frugal
fare and simple habits, if they may
only enjoy love, sympathy and appre-
citation. Their ply steal, mental and