The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1874-06-25
The Conduct of Boys.

In calling attention to some scandalous con-
duct of certain boys in that city, the Augusta
COnstitutionelist makes the subjoined capital
remarks by way Of impressing parents that
they cannot be too careful in watching over
their offspring:
The most repulsive sight to a foreigner of
education and refinement in America is the
impertinence, disobedence and depravity of
many children, who exhibit these traits of
character at the most tender age. Much of
this evil has been fostered by foolish and in
dulgent fathers and mothers, who seem to
forget that the boy is the father of the man,
and as the twig is bent so the tree inclines.
We have no doubt that the minds of very
many youngsters have been grossly perverted
by dime novels, Police Gazettes, Days Doings
and similar publications Of the day, which, in
some instances, older folks carry to their pure
homes and thus help poute the atmosphere of
their fresides. These scandalous off-scourings
of meretricious and scrofuous press are also
put in the way of boys at some of the book
stores and we have more than once been
shocked to see little fellows, of dangerous
age, poring and gloating over CARTOONS which
might make the most hardened libertine blush
for humanity. The hope of the South, in the
future, must be based upon the rising genera
tion. If those who are to take our places,
grow up with principles of honor and chastity,
in body and mind, the country will prosper
every way. If the souls and intellects of youth
are poisoned at the source woe to the parents
and guardians who are, in any manner, respon-
sibe; woe to the unhappy children who g.
forth clad in darkness instead of light; and
woe to the South, which has already been pun
c1,oJ ho d.
livered from any deeper calamity!
From the McDuflie Journal we learn that,
among other bad habits, "a number of small
boys ofThomson and vicinity, led by a few who
are old enough to act better, have formed
themselves into a regular gang, for the purpose
of destroying every birds nest, and extermi-
mating every helpless young bird they can find.
Even the mocking birds-the glorious songsters
of our Southern homes and workmanship not
escape their wanton cruelty. Every tree bush
and thicket, in and around the town, and even
the lawns, yards and gardens of private resi-
dences are invaded by these mischievous, bad
ly-raised youngsters, to carry on their brutal
sport"
1t is sorrowfully stated also, that the parents
of some of these boys are among our best
citizens--bright and shining lights in the
church-but are singularly blind to the fact
that their children are contracting habits in
youth which will surely follow them into man
hood.
1t is to be hoped that these parents are not
so selfshly intent upon gaining heaven for
themselves that they grow careless of the per-
dition of their children. Surely, the souls of
these little ones will be demanded by the
Eternal of such parents. Not only do these
boys rob the nests of birds, but they are said to
frequent groggeries, keep bad company and are
travelling devilward at rapid pace.
What is the use of making money, building
factories, and expanding commerce if the spr-
itual nature of youth is getting to be rotten to
the very core?