Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1873-02-20
Sd. Never resort to stratagem in the

management of children.
Nor do | approve of the fogging
method of family discipline, SO often
practiced. | do not mean here to call
In question the propriety aud necessity
OF sometimes resorting to severity in the
government of children. Ibelieve there
are times, when literally, to ''spare the
rod" is ''to spoil the child" that these
are cases in the treatment of which the
severest punishment is not only the first
and only remedy, but an expression of
the greatest kindness. And this severi-
ty is more often made necessary by the
mismanagement of parents than by any
other cause.
The system of family government
which here condemn adopts flogging
as rule. Corporal punishment so en-
ployed, appeals to the lower nature of
the child, and hence, does not secure the
object in view This rule is blow for
every offence. 1t does not recognise
kindness as the necessary accOmpani-
ment of severity, and management as a
better way of preventing the evil
4hdhy a NLllN 1lCSo DCCh 81 lOuSAIJ
treated in his home relations, that he
knows of no other disciplinary agency
but flogging, and this alike for every act
of disobedience, and he supposes that
the penalty, like penance, atones for the
crime. To him the fear of suffering be-
comes the only motive for obedience,
and he is degraded from a moral and
accountable being, to the condition of
ha animal n IriCa 70
resort to such treatment. The pursua-
sive and bribing methods of mismanage-
ment are yet to be noticed.
l admit that persuasion and every
other mild measure which tends to in
duce good behavior, are legitimate agen-
cies in family government, but they are
not to take the place of authority. The
moral power of gentleness, forbearance,
kindness, good example, wholesome
counsel and proffered reward, should be
recognized in the discipline of children,
as we'll as the moral power of reproof
and punishment. The liability of mis-
take is not in the use, but in the abuse
of these agencies.
Moral suasion has its own proper
sphere in the management of the fami-
ly, to prevent evil. When the passions
are unruffled and the loyalty of our chill
dren is unquestiOncd, it is GOd-like to
win and control them by the power of
affection 1t is God-like, also, TO rebuke
and chastise, when they have abused
our love and broken away from our au-
thOrity.
This rebellious spirit manifests itself
in different ways, according to the dis
position of the child and the circumstan-
ces of the case. Sometimes, in cool and
deliberate disregard of our wishes;
sometimes, in sullcn and determined
hostility; sometimes, in passion that
vents itself in screams and angry tears;
and sometimes ia open resistance. In
either case, it is wrong and ruinous to
attempt 10 cJar the rebel into obedience
The effort may succeed, and it may fail
In either case, authority which is the
only legitimate controlling power. in
such instances, has been either entirely
set aside, or greatly weakened by an
appeal to argument. lnctficienCy is
thus confessed, and control over the
child, absolutely lost.
Bribery is still more objectio> able, as
a means of securing obedience. This is
not rewarding fidelity, but purchasing
submission. In the first case real merit
is compensated; in the second case, a
price is paid for doing what obligation
and duty demand.
In the former instance there is an aC-
knowledged allegiance to parental con
troll and submission to parental authorj-
ty: in the latter, the protfered reward
becomes the motive to action, and loyal
tv is sacrificed to seltishness. Paying
children for obedience. is not the eXer-
else Of authority 1t is ruinous bar
gain; a bounty upon impudence and
INSTRUMENTATION. The child soon learns
that disobedience is currency in the
family market, which will purchase The
desired indulgence; and if slight of
fence will induce the mother to give a
single piece of pie, cake or candy, stub
bornness will purchase more, and fierce,
open war, still more. Hence, every
bride thus offered, tends to weaken still
more the sense of filial obligation, and to
strengthen the selfish appetites and pas
siOnS. PARENS