Mexico weekly ledger. (Mexico, Mo.) 1855-1956, 1888-01-05
u IT RIaarf
An Open ouestion-some Good
Argument AeAinst tho
Juveniles. ss4
10 the Rditor Of the Iedeef.

40 tne Editor Of the Ledger.
MEXICO, NO., December 29.
Christmas, with all itss Festivities is
here again. The school children
have two weeks that they scarcely
know how to spend. There will
be, probably, party to attend
nearly every night. Don't you
think these children's parties
should be made ~ harmless a. pos
sible9 For several years past, il
has been quite common thing in
Mexico, for little girls from twelve
TO sixteen years Of age to 60 out 1t
night to parties, each escorted only
by some little boy who is not in
any way related to the girl. These
young couples return to their re-
spective, parents about midnight.
The Aforesaid parents know moth
ing of the way the evening has
been spent except what the children
tell. Now, do you think this is
proper7 Isn't it just scandalous2
The precocity and freedom Of the
children Of this generation is some-
thing marvellous. Such license was
not permitted or tolerated among
respectable people. even in the
crude civilization Of this Western
country, twenty-five years ago. II
is very vulgar in parents to let
their daughters 60 about at night
with so little protection. It isn't
good for the boys either. They
learn to be too familiar and disre-
spectful. No girl ofunder eighteen
years should be permitted to 90
out at night without a chaperon.
And q young boy or man who is
nota very near relative-father or
brother-is not q suitable chaperon. 4
When your daughters have become
bold, forward, pert, fast girls, viii
the thought that ssthey have had
good time," compensate you for
their lack Of refinement and mod
esty? The boys are chivalrous and
ready to escort the girls, in imita-
ton of their elders, if it is expected.
Parents should tell their girls it is
not to be expected or permitted.
The parents in sthigh lifeo should
set the example in this matter.
Have you ever indulged the delu-
sion that all the rude, vulgar boys
and girls belong to the families Of
so-called "common people?u
Then it is time your minds were
disabused. The fact is, that some
of the sorriest specimens of .1adies
and gentlemen" in all this broad
land ofours belong to the would
be aristocracy. Fathers and moth
ers, if you cannot personally es-
cort your daughters or furnish q
chaperron, keep them at home. AZ
ter they are through school, il win
be time enough for them to receive
the attention of young men. The
attention of boys should always
be under the supervision of pa
rents. Parents should be invited
oftener with their sons and daugh-
ters. 1t will make the old folks
feel younger and happier to go inta
the society of young people, and
the presence ofthe older ones will
tone down the boisterousness of
some of the young ones who have
neyer been in the society of any ex-
cept those of their own age. 1t will
be means of mutual culture. If
a halt is not called, and some
changes made in the present state
of social affairs, it is to be feared
that the future young lady and
gentleman of Mexico will be very
rapid, to say the least, and win
likely make some of these confiding
parents open their eyes-when it is
too late. / would like to hear
from the parents Of Mexico on this
subject, through the columns ofthe
daily LEDGER. X