Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1874-03-20
what, shall We do with our BOys,


STATE Board Of Agriculture Manufactures and MiHingI
The theme before MS is not new ii mas
claimed, and will claim, serious, earnest
attention. Even in the specific meaning
which it was intended to giye ii here, and
which makes it appropriate to the object OF
this gathering, it is not new one, but one
often considered. What shall the farmers
of Vermont and all of us settled on and
among her hills, do with the boysP What
shall the boys do with themselves? we
say what shall we do with our boys, be-
cause they all belong TO us in sense; not
a citizen but has an interest In them. As
the school belongs to each and every citi-
zen. as he should have an interest in ii,
help support it, making it his school, so
these boys are ours. But ii may be said
the theme is not in keeping with the spirit
Of the times. Change it a little and every
ear will be ready to hear. What shall we
do with our girls? Yes, woman-for these
two hundred and fifty years and more in
this blessed land Of light and liberty, so
oppressed and wronged, not allowed place
in the halls Of legislation, or on the judges
bench, or among tie jurors in the courts,
not even allowed to vote; and yet, II per-
chance she has a little property, enjoying
protection in its use, some pet Alderney OF
Jersey heifer, or herd of them, why she
must be taxed 10 support the government,
or walk in mournful procession and see
those same animals that she has watched
over so tenderly and profted by so abund-
antly, sold under the hammer to pay the
taxes. And yet, with all these wrongs,
even with the recent sad walls that have
come TO us from the good old State of Con-
necticut before us, l venture 10 say that
this question as il is has some claims 10
attention, and that If it is answered prac-
tically the girls will find something noble
and worthy their best eudeavors 10 do 10
tit themselves for positions TO which thOy
will certainly be called.
But to the question. Care for the boys at
home, early; not simply for their physical
wants--this to be sure-but for their habits
of thinking and acting for the influences
that give impression as 10 the object of life.
Teach them early that there is work TO do
here that industry is an essential TO sue
cess and happiness; and that "idlencss will
clothe man in rags" in a good many more
StllSeS llidu OLt. ANU lGt IL DO uhhCASNObh
that it is honorable and ennobling to work
somewhere and in some way and he who
thinks 10 live without It's an enemy TO him
self and curse to society. Men are trying
to ignore this law of labor so distinctly an
nounced by our Creator; and so the fraud
and the dishonesty, the speculations, into
which they plunge so recklessly; the pub
lie and private robberies so alarmingly
prevalent the almost inconceivabe at
tempts to get possession Of pecuniary
means without rendering fair equivalent.
The place 10 arrest effectually this fearful
evil is at our homes, by practice and pre-
cept, instlling different principles into the
minds Of the young. Study adaptation if
you please, but secure application. Let
it be understood that work is the price Of
any thing that may be called an honorable
success. do not mean by this that the life
of the boy is to be made one of slavish toll,
incessaut delving from morning 10 night,
through all the days of the week and year.
Make the work pleasant, as easily done as
may be recognize the need of rest and
recreation. And so I say in the next place,
make home pleasant and attractive; use
your best efforts TO have the boys feel that
home is one of tie pleasantest places for
them. Much may be done by the outward
and inward arrangement of our houses (;
by the surroundings Of them. Let the
boys feel that the house was made for their
comfort and enjoyment, even the sunniest
side of it. Let the best outlooks be faml-
lar TO them. Let it be known and felt that
there are times at least, when the best rooms
In their pleasantest aspects are to contrib
ute to their enjoyment, and that there can
be home efforts TO attract, instruct and
amuse even, in a healthy way, rs well as
from home. Do not shut up the parlor on
ly to be opened when some uncle and his
W life come to see you from the West, or the
notables OF the town pay you formal Wis
it, or some city cousins come to spend with
you few days, or some young man that is
not cousin wishes 10 have little private
talk with the elder daughter. But some
times, at least, let the home family be the
honored ones. And then let il be the en-
deavor to have the house and buildings
about it, and all their surroundings, safe
educators. ] marvel sometimes when see
the lilly contrived, unpleasantly located
houses that are so frequently found, with
all the surroundings to match and yet ev-
cry day group OF children are taking in
impressions and forming habits that will
abide by them through life. And llthese
may in some good measure be remedied by
little thoughtful, intelligent planning and
effort. 1t is not for large OUTLAWS in this
direction that plead. 1t is to be secured,
substantially, by means very moderate.
And then let the yard, the orchard, the
field, furnish means Of instruction and en-
joyment, as well as opportunity for work.
am sure that those fathers and mothers,
or other friends who are doing what they
can 10 educate and elevate their boys in
these ways are doing good work for them
selves and for the public. But there must
be schools for the boys. We have them
and on the whole probably no better place,
for a time, at least, can be found for our
boys than the common school such even
as we do have and may have in our rural
towns. We certainly make scholars thai
compare well with those trained amid Q
greater array of machinery for the pur-
pose and we might make more Of them
and better. Make first the school house
what have said the home should be-ele,
waiting educators-and then select with
great care the ones TO guide the efforts o.
the pupisi and then look after the whole
matter with an interest at least approx
mating TO that we give to the herds and
the fiocks, and the coupons and the notes
There is something here clal lining the at
teution Of the farmer, and those with ma.
ny labors and cares upon them. It is well
that they devise means TO improve their
lands; to increase the product and the val
ne Of their diaries and their sheep am
glad to see enthusiasm aud persistent eff.
Il. L., h,,f frin lie Iot