The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1897-04-02
JASPER INDIANA. FRIDAY. APRIL 9, 1897


instinct and hereditary leanings?|
How then shall it know the pleas
ures of childhood and the joys OF
mature age, or perform its duties a
man or woman, unless 1t bel
equipped at starting with sound
constitution and good disposition?
Who can perceive the latent powers
that may be its natural heritage?
When Julius Caesar was excised
from his mother, who could have
foreseen that the premature weak
ling would lay the foundations Of
the greatest empire Of antiquity?
We should like to see genuine por-
traits of the childhood of the worlds
notable ones. Cleopatra's, for in
stance, in her early maidenhood !;
Aspasia when she was a little in
nocent girl and played in the gar
dens of Mietus or hers at whose
feet millions daily worship, the Vir-
gin Mary of Bethlehem. Let US
treat them tenderly, human mites,
however they may have been begot-
ten, for who can tell what their
future will be. The puny arm may
some day hew down monsters, the
lisping prattler may become Socrates
or a Shakespeare. The little peas
ant, a Christ to purify sensual
world.
The best natures may be ruined by
injudiicous training or evil sur
roundings, and the worst corrected
if acted upon in time. Character is
not moulded all at once. Every
thing with which it comes in con-
tact influence it for good or for evil.
!, 1t is here where the mother has
such vast responsibility, for il
rests with her very largely as to
/, what the character of her child shall
be. She has already moulded its
, body, she has now to mould its
. mind, to correct evil tendencies and
, TO develop the good. Almost all
good sons and daughters have had
good mothers. Therefore all men
should be careful in the selection OF
!, wives, as women in the choice OF
husbands. There ought to be moth
. ing Of the haphazard in SO momen-
. tous union as marriage, which
I must be a blessing or curse to 9
. long line of descendants.
/ The lives of children should be
as free as possible, and no restric'
, tions imposed unless necessary.
The frivolous hindrances to their
temper, depress their elastic buoy
, ancy of spirits, and encourage them
to be little prigs and deceivers. No
sort of deceit should ever be prac-
tised toward them, for deceit begets
deceit. No theologic dogmas nor
. catechisms should ever be taught
them, nor their loyalty in believing
be abused by fictions told as truths,
for all these breed hypocricies.
Let them rather be allowed 10
formulate their beliefs for them
selves when they are of an age to
decide, and to hold fast that which
is good. Otherwise they may be
compelled in casting off their early
creeds to become skeptical OF all
goodness. In the education OF
childhood it would be far better to
inculcate a sense of honor than re-
ligious belief, because the later is
often flung away in latter life,
whereas honor will stand by them
to the end. Honor will preserve
them in moments of difficulty, and
sustain them beneath oppressive
circum stances. A religious devotee
may be a sneak, cheat, or liar,
but man Of honor, never. What
virtue is to virtuous woman,
honor is to an honorable man. HeI
preserves it knowing that once lost
it would be irresparable. The con-
sitiveness of childhood makes it the
most favorable period for its cult
walton. In the words Of Addison -
"Honor's sacred tie, the law of kings,
The noble minds distinguishing per-
fection,
That aids and strengthens Virtue where
il meets her,
And initiates her actions where she isl
not"
London, Eng, March Is, 1897.
Evansville Courier. The propo
sition to create new cabinet posi-
ton to be called the Secretary OF
Commerce is not surprising in this