The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1890-06-13
TEMPERANCE COLUMN.
kINsLrr ". 6. T. o:
6IiidF.a.. Right. Ana WFoGs;:;
BIZ ABBY AsoKroN DIAz.

themselves sone one should make It
for them, that children have some
rights which grown folks ATE hound 20
respect. And; fist, it should be con-
sidered that they are human beings.
They do not grow sp into human bo-
ings, but are born such, aiid as such
have all the hunaii characteristics.
We can, therefore, Judge by our own
sensations just how a child would be
affected by any given manner Of treat
ment. This common nature is too lit
tie recognized. Many people seem to
think that in their behavior to children
accepted standards may be set aside.
Children as a class are in a sense
helpless and defenseless. The bower
which controls them is absolute. Not
infrequently parents and others take
advantage of this absolute power, and
treat children with a discourtesy and
rudeness, with an unkindness, iniuS-
tice, unfairness which they would be
ashamed to exhibit towards crown
people, and which, if shown, would
be judged worthy of general condem-
nation.
But childreH can never be Judged
by a jury of their peers. Their stand
point is not that of grown folk. Their
reasoning is based on a comparatively
small amount of knowledge and eI-
perience. Much that in after life be-
comes fixed and settled does i'll child
hood remain crude and but partly ufi:
derstood. Yet child conduct is always
judged from the adults standpoint.
This cannot be otherwise, but stclf be-
ing the case, and because such is the
case, We may put plea for mkteV.
Not plea for weak indulgence; there
Is plenty Of that. Not a plea for sever
ity; there Is plenty of that. And
these remarks are not directed against
but against certain methods
of child treatment which are obiec-
considering children as hu-
man beings, and sharing the common
nature. Ridicule, for instance. How
sensitive are grown folk to thisi How
it mortifies and rankles and eu.bittsfst
They would sooner take almost any
affront than to be laughed at. Yet
with what frequency are children made
subjects of ridicule. Perhaps in COM
pany, or at table, child makes a re-
mark, or uses PHRASE, which to the
grown people; with their superior
containS an element of alb
surdity. Instantly there fs, d burst OF
and tie b6ot ctiffd IS filed
with modification, perhaps not shown,
but felt, nevertheless. But grown up
blunders are courteously ignored.
Children have another grievance
in the injustice and unfairness often
shown them. Take ownership, for in
stance. With children, as with adults
what they own is absolutely their own:
Sometimes grown person has need OF
some article belonging to a child, or
wishes to be given 20 some otifef child
and the fightful owner is SO coaxed:,
and blamed and shamed, as to be ac-
tually compelled to give up the article
In some cases it is taken without ask
ing. No grown person would be treat
ed thus. There is other ifIjustfcs. In
families a child is punished at one
time for behavior which at other times
has been allowed, the punishment or
depending on certain cohdi-
lions of the parent. Then there il
questioning. "When you are ignorant
my dear, always ask" says the fond
and serene parent. siHow your
tongue fliesi Don't ask any moro
1uestionsl" says the same parent, il
or nervous, or cross. or
not wishing to give answers.
Sometimes a disagreement arfseS
between a child and a grown person
the details Of an occuraDce
of no great moment, witnessed by
both. The child may be right. for
child eyes often see details which
would be scarcely noticed by an adult
occupied will affairs of more import
ance. In such cases some one clothed
with the authority of years may per-
order the child to stop talk
ing, thus implying, on its part, incor-
and even blame for persistipg
in its statement.
Do as you would like TO be done by
is pretty safe rule: Adults do not
like to ne found fault with before folk:
do not like their peculiarities of face
Or figure, or disposition to be made
the subject of remark; do not like to-
be everlastingiy nagged; do not like
rudeness, inpolfteness;
Injustice, uhfaifhess. It
seems pity. it seems mean that they
take advantage of their position to in
flict all these upon children. True;
for child-training there are ways, and
ways. Let US consider some Of them.
Re-submissienists in Kansas are
somewhat noisy, but liquor always de-
velops that element and when they
claim that more liquor is sold IN Kan
sas than when under the license sys--
tenn the statement is simply absurd;
for if it were a fact why should the
liquor dealers of other states who sup
ply the liquor drank here be 30 very
anxious to have our prohibitofS law
repealed. They are not noted for such
self-sacrifics as this &ouid involve.
Though I have no doubt that much
liquor is drank fn private places. yet
the temptation is not before our boys,
and a generation is growing up that
has never tasted and perhaps never
even sne7ied liquor Of any kind.
'sSnake bites" are not nesrIy so num-
erous as formerly; and "snakes I'm
boots" are Of very rare occurance,
Il child IN one Of our primary schools
in spelling his lesson came to the word
s'saIoon," and was asked by the teach
er to define it, which he c0uld not do,
having never seeh one. IS not that
something to be. thanKfuI for, that
children Of school age are not familiar
enough with the word 'ssaloon'' to be-
able to tell what it means: