San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1895-09-08
PERSONAL RIGHTS.

OF personal rights as existing In
the child and the scholar at school,
it is in order to follow the growing
human as emerging from its min
GRITTY it attains majority and is of
legal age to act and speak for it
self. There is however an inter
vening period, particularly in the
case of girls, which it may not be
wise to pass over in silence. The
earlier maturity of the girl, both
in mind and person, compared
with the boy,is generally accepted,
and this fact is recognized in
the statutes which commit the
legal care of the young woman to
herself when she arrives at the age
of eighteen, Withholding that
authority in the case of the young
man for three years longer. 1t is
with this young woman's rights
that we have for little to do.
Human nature is human nature
the world over, and it is very I'M
wise policy that leaves unconsid-
cred any thing that vitality con-
Germs the subject considered, on
the ground that it is too early for
sx1ch consideration. The time for
such consideration is when the oc-
casion of it arises in fact and not
when it should arise. Theory is a
sunken rock on which great ships
are wrecked. Facts are all that
the practical mind can consider, or
all at least that can be profitably
considered and their results ascer-
tanned. 1t is useless then to say
what ought or ought not to be, the
greater matter is to understand
what is. 1t is not what ought to
be the status of a young woman
approaching her majority, but
\; whatare her sentiments,
s, Mpira ions, her tenden-
cies, her wishes
The average Eoung girl at six
teen years of age begins to have
notions. Her 4 thoughts naturally
gravitate away from herself and
her fellow girls and incline to
move in the direction of the other
fellows. The theory that she is
entirely too young for, the society
of the other sex, may be all right,
but the. fact that she does not
think so outweighs the theory a
ton. This tendency of hers is
stronger or weaker, just as it has
come to her that way by inheri-
lance and environment. She is
not to be held accountable for an
inheritance that yourself as par
ents willed her, nor for an environ
ment for which you are much
more responsible than she posi-
bly, can be. What are you going to
do about it? Ruthlessly repress
it, as though it was criminal?
Give it loose rein and let it do its
own regulation? Educate the ten
denotes, directing them to the least
possible injury? These courses are
all open, the child is yours and
you can save or damn as you
elect.
This discourse is aimed at set
ting forth the rights which that
embryo woman has in herself and
to herself. While it is your prov
ince as parent, and particularly as
mother, to direct, counsel and
guide, it is not your province to
force inclination unless there is
positive danger and a real neces-
sity. Remember that in ninety
nine cases out Of a hundred you are
the guilty one, if such necessity
does arise. If your lovingness and
care, your wisdom and motherly
direction are properly exercised
before your daughter has reached
this interesting age, your loving
counsels viii be now sought and
there will be no disposition to run
counter to maternal advice, unless
for good cause.
The wise mother avoids such
cause, for her maternal instincts
and experience teach her that HUI
man affection cannot be coerced.
AS the wind bloweth where it lis
teth, SO do the young affections