Weekly Trinity journal., 1876-09-02
A PROBLEM FOR PARENTS.

school, pass under our Office window anC
their merry voices, sweet with the JOY
Gus tones Of childhood are waited to oul
ears. The future Of this rising genera
tion is something that should command
serious consideration, for the state of so
ciety in little mountain towns is sucl
that the childhood of the parents O
these little ones can give but little from
the school Of its own experience. With
the best of wishes and intentions in ref.
erence to the after life of their offspring
it is after a matter Of almost utter i'm.
possibility to so guard their morals and
bring them up fitted for career Of use
iulnesa as parents might wish. Yet il
people would look upon this matter in
the right light, and take some measures
Of precaution, some of the evils to which
the youth OF such places as Weaveryillc
are exposed, could be mitigated, if not
entirely done away with.
1t is a lamentable fact that there is
but little employment to be obtained
suited to the young Of either sex. The
avenues to labor SO common in older
countries where population is more per-
manent in character, are here almost
wholly closed. The openings for boys
and girls to learn useful trades do not
here present themselves, or if they do
it is only to limited extent. Outside
Of the farm labor in which a part of
the youth can be engaged, the lighter
kinds Of labor, suited to the boys OF
that age which has attained a common
school education and does not, or can
not aspire TO the higher branches. is
performed by Chinese. The same may
be said Of the kinds Of employment
suitable Tor girls. This is one Of the
bad features of society in the State at
large, and its direct tendency is to keep
young men and women at school or at
home, when they should be engaged in
learning an occupation which will fit
them for the battle of lie. 1t is TO be
hoped that the movement now in pro-
gress to thoroughly investigate the Chi
nese question, may result in legislation
which will relieve US of the incubus.
and though it will probably make but
little difference at the present time, its
effects cannot fail to be seen and felt in
few years more. tits only by taking
hold Of this subject in the right man
ner, that we can pave the way for tos-
teriag habits Of industry in the genera
ton soon to take our places, and there
by fit them to become honest and use
ful members Of society.
1t is not alone in matters pertaining
to industry that The customs Of people
in our mountain towns IS in fault. The
habit Of gaming in public, SO common
as to be little thought Of cannot but
have n very demoraIizing effect upon
boys and young men. Man is naturally
prone 10 imitation and when he does
not initiate the virtues Of those whom
he is inclined to pattern by, heis apt to
initiate their vices. Lead Us not into
temptation" is the prayer Of the Holy
Writ, and it is in being tempted that
the secret OF men't ruin always can be
founG. IT would be folly to attempt to
restrain or stop men from gambling.
and any law with that object in view
would wholly fail Of its purpose. The
passion for gaming is inherent in the
human race and with some men it will
be gratided at every hazard Sumptu-
airy legislation may check and guide
this passion, but the experience of older
countries goes to show that that is all
which can be done. In those States where
gaming Of any kind is made crime at
law, the vice is followed secretly aud
its votaries find ample means to crafty
their desires. 1t is in the fact that this
secrecy is compelled, that many young
men grow up, form habits OF life which
fit them for its duties, and after marriage
shun all associations calculated to lead
to eyilcourses. What we need are laws
to prohibit public gaming, that the
youths now growing up in our midst
may not become 50 familiar with the
sight, that the moment there can be no
further restraint put upon them by pa
rents and guardians, they are educated
to take part therein. To attempt to go
any farther than this would be useless,
for no law can be enforced in letter or
in spirit unless it be sustained by the
weight Of public sentiment.
The way to secure needful legislation
is to have such necessary measures dis
cussed prior to the time when the law
making power can be called upon to
act. Otherwise it is apt to be crude
is looked upon as too radical, and in
this manner is not satisfactory. Espe-
cHlly is this theeaSe in regard to sumpt-
uary laws. 1T is the part Of wisdom to
ioresee and provide against any condi-
tion Of affairs calculated to be Il source
VI A"t"Io uuh"pDlHtHs. IHe HOoulual
ism which is now the curse Of San
Francisco and other large cities, arises
from the same causes which, may rear
youth tor a no better condition in small
er places. What we need first of all is
employment, aud next 10 this n con-
cealment Of the vicious practices Of old
er persons, which young men think it
only Il sign OF smartness 10 initiate.
s----s--ses---s-----s
Is the course Of all the discussions
growing out OF the reconstruction Of the
Southern States and the changed status
OF the negro, j. is noticeable that Demo-
cratt never charge the Republican party