The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1890-11-15
FOR THE MOTHERS.

Mamma Fred Brown says when he gets
to be man, if he has any power, he VIII let
the women vote"
"Well my son, tell Fred Brown that if all
the boys grow up to be the men they should
be, there will be no need ofthe women voting
the men will all vote right"
This conversation has been in my mind so
much since l overheard it that it has set me to
thinking about the boys. From my window
l can see some of them on their school play
ground. Over their heads floats a new flag
lately raised upon the schoolhouse. 1t had
turned their thoughts into new channels.
They begin to feel its importance. They be-
gin to realize that they will one day be citizens
under its protection, and casting their votes
on matters that effect the welfare of the coun-
try it represents Do they ever think what
kind of citizens what kind of men they will
be? do.
But it is not the boys alone on whom the
responsibility of good citizenship rests, and it
is not directly to them l am writing. Who
then? 1t is the mothers. If they would but
they have already what is better than
the ballot. They have the power to influence
all the ballots of the future.
"How can they do it?"
Let them impress upon the boys that they will
be the men by and by; that some Of them will
be the rulers and the officers of the govern
ment, and that their votes shall decide
whether right or wrong shall triumph. Teach
them first of all to build up a true and upright
character Teach them to be loyal to their
country by being loyal to God. Teach them
always and everywhere to reverence his
name, and never take profane word upon
their lips.
Teach them to be pure in heart and lips and
speech, and to never laugh at vulgar words.
Teach them these things, though they say,
as one boy did say, "But, mamma, sometimes
the fellows put it in SO funny we can't help
but laugh"
Teach them that it is neither manly, wise nor
funny to smoke and drink.
Teach them truthfulness, justice and honesty
in all things, even their games.
Teach them unselfshness and a spirit of
seeking the good of others.
Teach them that it is better to be upright
and trustworthy than to be rich. On the other
hand, teach them to avoid extravaganza and
useless expenditure of money.
Teach them to beware of borrowing and to
''avoid debt as they do the devil"
Teach them to avoid boys temptations
now that they may be strong to resist man s
temptations by and by.
All this in general, and much more in detail,
is the work resting on the mothers to do. Is
it not as high an honor as il would be to go
to q town hall, and, in the midst of crowd
of smoking, drinking men, cast ballot for
some reform that could not be upheld by pub
lie sentiment?
Methinks it is time for the mothers of our
land to bestir themselves. to work while child
hood and youth last, for the character of their
sons For if they all grow up to be upright
men. exemplifying the principles of religion,
temperance and purity, our beloved country
will be saved from many evils which now
threaten its prosperity and peace.
"Pshaw !" do hear some one say? Some
old maid wrote this who thinks she knows
how to bring up boys" Some old maid''
did not write it, but veritable mother, one
who feels all the difficulties in the way of real
izing this high ideal, but a mother who is
striving to stand between her boys and the
worldliness and sin which would hinder them
from attaining it-ChYistidn at Work.