Weekly graphic. [volume] (Kirksville, Adair Co., Missouri) 1880-1949, 1882-03-24
Another Slde Of the Question.
Bv Far Play.

AHethee Sids Of the Question.
By Far Play.
In the GRAPHIC of March 10th, Their
appeared IN article from the zen Q
Phoenix, which cannot pass by with
out q remonstranoe. How long mus
webe compelled to hear the Oft repeated
phrase, Mothers, the destiny Of thi
country is in your keepings'; wher
everybody who thinks, and reads, ant
observes, knows tina. it is not true. W.
could cite you to unnumbered instance!
where all the bad traits child possess
ed were copied or inherited from the
father. Who is it teaches the child te
swear, to chew tobacco, to cultivate
obscene language, to use intoxicating
liquors? Is it the mother, or the faith.
1f Who ever saw a mother who even
approved Of such habits, or allowed
her children to practice them if she
could help herself. But--the mothers
influence for good is counteracted by
the fathers bad example. Think You,
that the destiny Of those children is in
their mothers keeping 2 or is the father
equally responsibles Andif-as Phe.
nix says--the destiny of this country is
in the keeping of the mothers, it is m
Just that they should shoulder all the
responsibility, and yet not be allow
ed to help govern; and if woman is not
fit or capable OF governing, for heavens
sake do not expect SO much from her
influence. This theory of "Woman's
influence" is a very pretty little fib !; it
looks nice on paper, and sounds nice
when the weaker and the stronger YES
sci are in close conversation, just be-
fore the irrevocable knot is tied. But
the reality is far, very far different. The
Athers do most OF the governing at
hoae; and if matters progress nicely,
and the wheels ofthe domestic machin-
cry run smoothly, and without unnec-
essary friction, the head of the family
takes all the praise. But If things 20
wrong, they are generous enough to let
the wife have the blame.
When was child, l used to hear
my mother say. (when speaking of
colored girl who lived in the family |
you can't make whistle out ofa pigs
tall" and in my childish ignorance l
wondered what she meant by it; but I |
can see now. the justice of the saying.
We cannot expect every boy to be hon.
est. talented, industrious, healthy; for
shat have they to start with! Some
children are born with weak minds
WITH depraved appetites, with natural
:endency to steal or lie, or get drunk,
IS the case may be. Let such a child
'e taken from its parents when it first
zones into the world, and placed in a
'enecly honest. pure, christian family
md there be brought up with no
of his antecedents, and the l
hanees are forty.nine times out of fifty
hat some Of the inherited evil tenden-
les will crop out in after life. Is the 7
mother only. responsibles 1t is true a
S Phoenix says, that the world needs v
men Of "high and noble aims;" and v
here are many such in this world. t
he proportion Of good to the bad Is a
robably greater than ever before.
rue, wehear ola great deal Of corrup. :
on IN church and state; but that is no
roof that goodness and honesty does h
OF exist; for everywhere We 60 We find
eroes. Nov, my dear Phoenix, don't u
quite so severe on the mothers. Let Il
lie old man have a chance, and if the Of
lildren are not properly trained, let CT
le father take his share of the blame. IT
he truth is that eternal vigilance is W
70 price of a well-govemed family, :, ),
sd father and mothers both must learn "
govern themselves. The average -,
Their and mother is too much occu- ..
ed in the race for wealth, to be able a
bring up their children. The con- SC
quence is, they come up. TO
nome LETTER. re
"