Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1874-06-11

watchfulness. more steadfastness, mGre
wisdom, and more alertness we're requir-
ed, ON the part of the friends of temper
ance. than at the present.
Were it not that there is an eternal Om-
nipresent power in truth, we might yeH
despair of ever seeing great moral rev
olution wrought in the elements of soci-
ETY.. Our ultimate object in writing this
article, was, to draw some practical infer
ences in regard to the responsibility OF
those who have committed to them, amid
the influences of the present day, the
training of the young mind. The char
acter and destiny of every individual are
shaped to great extent by the course
pursued in their early training; and in
proportion to the unfavorable influences
that will surround them, as they go forth
into the world, is the danger that the
barriers of an early and virtuous educa.
tion will be swept away, and the good
resolutions formed amid chaste restraints,
will yield to the temptations and bland
ishments of vice. The frail bark may
ride securely on the unruffled sea, but
when the angry storm lsshes the waves
into fury, the strong built and well-man-
ned vessel is required to out ride the tenn
pest, and shun the fatal rocks.
Those who train the young mind in a
day like this, need TO lay broad and deep
the foundation on which 10 rear their su-
perstructure. They are training minds
not to repose in quiet shades and calm
retreats, but to go forth to action on the
arena of life, in day of unexampled ex-
elements and temptations; when, if rea-
son is not enlightened, and virtuous prin-
ciples be not thoroughly established, il
will be strange as fortunate, if the virtue,
aud with il the highest interests of the
individual, be not wrecked amid the war
ing elements around him.
But upon whom rests mainly the re-
sponsihility of training amid circumstan-
ces of such fearful momcnt-thc now ju-
venilc portion of our population, which
will soon become the constituent and
controlling clements of society?
Not upon the statesman, the minister oi
the sacred altar-nor even upon the teach
or of common or high school, though
.hpSQ oil orft t1oir ~,
or less degree, in the formation of charac-
ter; more powerful than all these influen-
ces combined, is that of the mother, who
molds and fashions the budding intellect,
and plants the germs of future character
The avenues 10 they outhlul mind, are az
accessible to her; the exquisltely fine
chords of the young spirit vibrate at her
slightest touch; the impressions which
her words and actions-in fact, her very
loohs-make upon the mind are deep and
imperishable. We utter an oft repeated
truth, when we say that the mothers of a
nation give il its tone and character; but
it is an axiom that can not be too fire.
quently reiterated or too strongly enforc
ed. The political and religious interest
of Amcrica-and to great extent that OF
the entire world-arc in the hands OF
American mothers.
Around our family hearth stones must
bubble up the pure springs that will fer
tilize and renovatc the arid wastes of onr
scathed land.
Mothers of America. Let us awaken
fully TO "A sense of our high responsible
tie' 1t is for US to say whether the
young immortals that now cluster around
cur lircsidcs, and hang upon our lips for
instruction; that are forming their prin-
ciples of action from our example, will
go forth into the world armed in the in
vincible panoply of virtue. or whether
they will go out weak and defenseless-
exposed To every attack of the enemy.
1t is our duty to preside at the foun-
tains of society. The noble river may,
in its onward course, have imrurity and
poison cast into its waters; but if the
fountains and tributaries arc pure, these
will soon be washed into the ocean. Let
us then, who have the care of the young
mind, whether as parents or teachers, la
Dor and pray that these fountains which
are to- swell the tide of our population,
be prepared to exert vivifying and salu-
tary influence upon the turbid waters of
society.
Plymouth, June lst, 1874
Mad dogs in LaPorte-cause: The
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