Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-02-04

foCi'tF ll Nlie Solth tAdl pTeHu''A $50
wonderful results the home was 'ltIIailv
the most cherished and potent element IN
Our growth ana prosperity-ir tle iorn'1-
ton. upbuilding. and finishing Ok inc noble
and lofty manhood and wOmtnh001 Of
our people. All the cGucauo1. train NJ.
and culture OF our chiidr-n w-Ie begun
ard grounded IN the homes % 5ur people.
u mattered not in what direction or
under what forms the bfanc1cs o. or go
oiol institutions grew and iioursh'd the
root OF tho great tree Of our civ.c NE ana
power WAS planted in domestic l"alih'
purity. Intelligence cultivation, ana re'i-
g.oa. The mother was the teacher, the
father was the preceptor. The .-lier mem
tcrs Of the family-the sisters. he broth
ers the cousins and the aunts.-were the
guides and patterns OF The younger All
tho members Of The fdmlly-al the inmates
of the homc-aCted and reacted the one
ON the other until there WIS gradually
and almost impcrceptibly. from infancy 10
old ag-. that Improvement ana ctiuvaton'
that elevation Of the heart and strength
cning OF the mind that are ever the rc~ult-
ant benefits Of the attritOn OF mind with
mind. the free interchang. Of 5cutim- nis
opinions, and cOnylCtiOns-the incubation
Of experience AMI wisdom which
was often nlumined with the divine
fash OF impulse ana generous feel
ing. and that attractvencss ana exquisite
charm of comfort and goodness and love
and reverence that cluster and rpen
around the home in which indwel purity,
sanctity. charity. affection, obedience de-
ference. learning and high ana hoIy
reverence for God and His laws.
ILLUSTRATED HER PAST.
From these homes Of the people Of the
South came the great and glorious men
that have Illustrated her past From
them came her WashingtOns. her Henrits'
her Marshalls. her Lees, and her Jack
sons. ana the great multitude OF won
dcrful mcn and women who have made
glorious and luminous her history ana
her achievements in public ana private
Iifc. From them came her political power
and magniiicence that fashioned TINS
great republic Of liberty ana popular
glory From them came her splendent
jurisprudence that has eNcelled I'm lucidity
and strength all the judicatures Of the
world. From them came that mastery
and burning eiuquencc that lightened
whatever ii touched into splendor and
flashed conviction on the soul. From
them came that Yirllc thought ana IN
dependence that have made our race free
men and upbuiders Of the freedom Of all
nations and the wonder Of civilization.
From them came the valOr and hardihood,
the matchlcss SKIN and process Of our
soldiers. that have rendered our fax
famous ana unCOnqucred throughout IN"
world. From them have come that pro-
found learning ana brilliant wit that have
added more lustre 70 our annals than
the achievements Of our arms or the
glory OF our laws. From them came that
amcnity and courtesy Of life and of
manners that have revived all OF tho
craces and cleganccs of the zenith OF
French policneSs and etiquette without
the faint of French vice and impurity.
From them came the sweet and gracious
/ charms and splendors Of the women OF
the South who in the gentle bOsOms IT
their sex bore the souls Of heroes and
with their Chastened beauty and grace
blended the purity of saints. In hne
from them came all that WAS good and
grand i'm the excellent ana glorious in
situations and systems that prevailed in
our midst in the golden DAYS that are
past ere we were tainted with the new
order OF things that 80 many praise
and laud without reflection and admir-"
without that understanding judgment That
comprehends the present status Of our
people, and their home life
ITS INFLUENCES.
These glorious things were accomplished
in the home and by the influences Of the
home. The home was the one beloved
place OF all others II was the spot that
our h.. Is and all our best affections turn
cl 10 Ger. with love and unqucnched de-
sire. Around the child It therw It's hal
lowed influences because the same influ-
Cnce wrought on the mind and heart Of the
parents. Far into the life OF the young
( man and woman II east its sacred light.
! like lofty beacon sheds its lustre DER
the sea. lighting up the dark places and
the crooked paths that are ever the por-
ton Of all men and women when drawn
from tbs ties and affections Of home. and
ever flashing tn their eyes bright lights
10 guide them back to the surest asylum
/ and harbOrage OF the heart and the soul,
the affections and the sympathies, the
strengths and the sanctions Of the home
that temple that Is nearest to the sanctu
/ airy OF the living God. The home was
made eminently attractive. All that could
be done t. hcighten its charms were stu
diously sought. Books spread their wOn-
derS and glories, their delights and fasci-
nations, In rich varieties before the eager
minds OF the young, while the ability and
affection of the parent directed the read
ments were gentle. decent. anl pure, and
while aTordns pleasure. lurel willing
feet hands. and bodies 10 health amt
, strength. The eyries OF the race that were
to plume their flights like eagles were
made In the country. in The pure air OF
Cod and in the broad fields ana thu free
( domains Of nature away from the vices
and cOrruptions of city life. where hardy
souls were reared ia hardy bodies AMI
IT. all. al. s.t.r.
doris Of Gods forests and mountains and
skies. where the eye caught it's hue aHd
light from the sky. the lungs power ami
health from the fresh and unpoilu,si
breeze ami the erect AND manly form from
thu statue OF the erect and noble soul
within. Thus an that was best rad grand
est was thrown around the young AMI mo
old. and was cterualy produced ami Zee
acted. until Xix AN infinite varied of
bright mirrors. each heart aud each NE
reflected the hrhts that are the most glo-
rious in nation and a pcople-the lights
Of virtue goodness. valor. purity, culture,
and religious probity
SHOULD NOT LEAVE THEM
But il is sad To- reflect that these
things are changcd-haVc In most Iu
stances passed away. We are s'ekinS
after new things and forgetting the excel
leuce and the glory of oil. We are iol-
lowing notions ana devices thut are mn
ported here from other countries and
other parts of our own country. the
ney, things are antagonistc 10 our civili-
zation and will prove destructive OF our
peculiar and efficient system of living
unless checked. We should not leave our
ancient opinions and rules of life"
These matters demand deep ana careful
thought and prudent action
Have We any homes now? Can you
point out any that come up 10 the fun
meaning and high standard that they
ought 10 reach? \ few, yes. very few!
Most homes are but dreary places. The
oarents fail 10 make them happy and
cheerful. and then wonder why their
/ children seek the haT-room. the pool
table the corners of the streets. and the
thousands OF other seductons that await
their sight and that allure them to de-
struction and vice. ana take them away
from the holy Influences OF the home, the
chaste ministraI!ons Of the mother, the
pure example OF the father.
when taey attempt 10 render home a
pleasant place they crowd into cities and