The Russellville Democrat., 1881-09-29
INsTRUCTION OF RoYs.

lnere IS perhaps no subject more worthy of the attention of the pres ent age than that of educating our boys in what they ought to know and practice when they become men. How sadly and shamefully, indeed, do we neglect this most important of all responsibilities and duties and upon which rests tho happiness or misery of the millions who are daily tresding in our footsteps from child hood to old agep What can it be then, that they ought to know to in- sure happiness and avert misery? It would perhaps be almost :mpossi- ble to enumerate in this short ar. ticls the very many great and indis penssbie requisites essential and ne cessary. But we ceneeive it not amiss to specify few. They should be honest genuine and true. An education which did not embrace or include these would fall short, would be utterly worthless and add noth- ing to nobleness of character. To be honest, genuine and true in their conduct, intentions and actions would add more to dignity of man. hood than that of being learned in all the sciences and languages of the world. Better, by far, would it be that they could not read or know even the first letter of the alphabet than to be false in heart and con terfeit in life, wanting in honor, pro. pity and self respect. forfeiting their rights in society as the peers and equals of the noblsst in the land. They should be taught that veracity and unblemished reputation is worth more than culture or wealth, earthly power or position. They should possess a sufficiency of self esteem to be pure in thought, word an action, honorable and manly in all their dealings with thelr fellow men, and in the close observance of tho geld en rule of doing unto others as they would they should do unto them" The man who is wanting in self respect, who is impure in his thoughts, dealings and language, no matter whether he be old or young, so he has attained that age necessary to discriminate between virtue and vice, who would indulge in immoral, smutty and indecent stories and examples, is calculated to poi son the society and very atmosphere in which he attempts to move and associate, and should be banishsd from their midst as lcpsr, putri lying sore, morally unclean and ! hideous.
 Boys should be unselfish, noble and manly, extending at all times kindness and courtesy evldsnslng, a due regard for the feelings and com. forts of those with whom they as sociate and by an observance of gen uine reverence for old age, proper respect for the sacred religious or ganizations of the land who have in view the interests of Christian civil. ization and tho moral advancement of the human race and the fulfilment and execution of the laws under which we live. They should be taught that to labor is not s dis. grace. and that honestly pursued is crsditable and pralseworthy. They should be self reliant and endeavor by industry and perseverance to be self supporting from boyhood to old ago. likeness and dependence upon others is unworthy, unmanly and even disgrsceful, when it can pos sibly be avoided.
 They should on the other hand be sdmonishsd of tho many crying evils and temptations constantly visible and surrounding them which must be avoided, summed and resisted with holy horror, as bane to their prosperity and enjoyment, their res probability and happiness, drain upon their purses, an injury to health and to their constitutions. The use of intoxicating drinks, chewing to- bacco, smoking cigars, visiting and resorting to gambling and drinking saloons, houses of ill ia me, places of vulgarity and dsbauchery, profanity and the countless vices which follow contagiously thersfrom. What is more detsstably absurd, ridiculous and abominabls than to see dimin. utivs little boy scarcely three feet high with all the pomp and conss-