The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1916-10-29
AN ANCIENT AND HONORABLE INSTITUTION.

T~HE letter OF G. r. A. concerning
spanking for children has called
forth such flood of correspond
ence that cannot undertake to
print more than extracts from the
many letters. They are all interesting
and come from teachers, parents, and
children.
The post OF honor I award to the one
who Is probably the Oldest of the con-
tributors to the question. She states her
age at So and writes a long and interest
ing letter, giving her experience with the
orphaned family Of sister who died
leaving q houseful of little children 70
be taken charge of for some years by
our correspondent. She went with her
husband and her year old boy to the
bereaved home and did her best to fill
the place Of the mother.
The first clash arose between the aunt
and a girl of 10 or IL who was insubor-
dinate and in1pertinent. The aunt did
her best to persuade the child to re-
pentance, but without avail. The morn
ing Of the second day Of effo t and argu-
ment the strongest appeal possible was
made. She said:
a. If you are sorry and will tell me so
and will promise that so long as am
with you in your mothers place you will
obey me and never be impairment to
me again. It will be all rig -
ct appealed to her In every way l
could" writes this correspondent, "but
nothing I could say or do helped the
situation. 1t grieved me, for 1 had felt
we were at one in our bereavement. Her
lips were set tight, her eyes were cold
as ice. and no word would move her.
This was after twenty-four hours of
pleading and consideration.
Lying snugly under my bolster were
three good peachtree switches had pro-
vided in case they were needed. l had
prayed that they would not be wanted
and that God would help us both to do
what was right, laying the whole thing
on his shoulders. l realize now that he
had already done his part in giving me
conscience and brains wherewth to do
my duty.
When I saw she was immovable l
quietly turned the key in the door, took
out the switches, and told her was go
ing to whip her. 1 cannot describe the
establishment in her face and the dismay
as she met my eyes. After a moment
she came to me, putting her arms
around my neck and her face on my
shoulder. She promised me with tears
and caresses and from that day she kept
her word strictly and never, by word or
look, did she ever treat me with dis
respect. I have now many valued let
ters from her thanking me for what
l did for all of them"
The writer, who signs herself " Grand
ma tells of a somewhat similar ex-
perience she had with q much younger
child who was rebellious and how a
spanking brought her to terms She
concludes her letter:
:" / have to this day visions of nv
heels flying in the air when my good,
wise mother spanked me when / de-
served it. Yes. spanking is an ancient
and honorable institution and I will
add. a saving ordinance
The next letter Is much briefer. but
to the point:
read with pleasure and approval
the article on spanking and proper up-
bringing of children, particularly the
comprehensive letter from your inter
ested and interesting correspondent.
thoroughly agree with G. E. A. and de-
plore the recent tendency tc let children
do as they please and grow up as they
please, much to their own detriment. as
we'll as to that of their parents. ANY
one coins along the streets of any CITY
or village cannot fail to see many in
stances where the proper enforcement