The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1890-11-22
FOX TIE MOTHERS.

Alaulihd, ilCb llO"u says WHeu hC
gets to be man, if he has any power.
he will let the women vote.
Well my son, tell Fred Brown that
if all the boys grow up to be men they
should be, there will be no need of the
women voting the men will all vote
right.
This conversation has been in my
mind SO much since | overheard it
that 1t has set me 10 thinking about the
boys. From my window | 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 i'm
portance. They begin TO realize that
they viii one day be citizens under its
protection, and casting their votes on
matters that effect the welfare of the
country it represents. ID they ever
think what kind OF cltizens, what kind
OF men they will te2 | do.
But it is not the boys alone on whom
the responsibility of good citizenship
rests, and il is not directly to them |
am writing. Who then2 1t is the
mothers. If they would but realize
their opportunity they would see that
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 it2
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 government, AMI that
their votes shall decide whether right
or wrong shall triumph. Teach them
first of all to build up Il true and up
right character. Teach them to be
loyal to their country by being loyal to
God. Teach them always and every
where to reverence his name, and
never take profane VOID upon their
lips.
Teach them TO be pure in heart and
lips and speech, and i never laugh at
vulgar words.
Teach them these things, though
III, say, as one boy did say, "Blt,
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 truthfuIness, justice and
honesty in ali things, even their games.
Teach them unseIfshness and a
spirit of seeking the good of others.
Teach them that it is better to be
upright and trustworthy than 10 BE- rich.
On the other han1 teach them to avoid
ss noasa y useless expenditure
Teach them to beware of borrowing
and to "avcid debt as they do the
devil"
Teach them to avoid boys temp
tations now, that they may be strong 10
resist mans temptations by and by.
All this IN general, aud much more
in detail, is the work resting on the
mothers to do. Is It not as high an
homer as 1t would be to go to town
hall, and, in the midst of a crowd Ct
smoking, drinking men, Cast ballot
for some reform that could Tot lie
upheld by public sentimentP
Methinks it Is time for the mothers
OF our land TO bestir themselves, to
work while childhood and youth last,
for the character OF their sons. For II
they all grow up to be upright men,
exempliyipg 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 l 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 realizing thi:
high ideal, but mother who is strlv'
ing to stand between her boys and the
worldliness and sin which would hinder
them from attaining it.-ChyiStian a.
| Work.