Democratic Sentinel, Volume 5, Number 20, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 June 1881 — Cultivation of Self-Respect. [ARTICLE]

Cultivation of Self-Respect.

A child that is uniformly treated wish courtesy, with consideration, with justice, will unconsciously deem himself worthy of such treatment, and will become worthy of it, unless he is by nature wholly base; and he will unconsciously treat others as he is treated. It is a fearful thing to give a child the lie, to accuse him of stealing, to accustom him to unexpected and unmerited blows and cuffs. He may merit punishment, but the wise parent never will admit into the household vocabulary the terrible words ‘ ‘ liar” and “thief,” and will never permit in himself or others the hasty blow, the bitter taunt, the stinging epithet. The refined and educated parent can never tolerate such language as we have indicated. Bitter words are more cruel than blows and inflict more lasting injuries. Care in the choice of associates will do much to foster self-respect in a child. Some mothers think their sons and daughters can go where they choose and play with whom they please, and come out all well in the end. There never was a greater mistake. As well might one think it no difference what air we breathe. Children are quicker than we to catch the tone of associates, to pick up slang words, bad grammar, vulgar ideas—these often seem to be taken in through the very pores, as typhoid poison is, when least expected. Care in the choice of reading will do much to foster due self-respect in a child. The boy who grows up with a familiar knowledge of Washington, of Franklin, of Lincoln, and other great men who have been the" glory of the nations in which they have been conspicuous, will be far more likely to find his mind filled with noble images, with high ideals, with lofty ambitions, than one who reads sensational newspapers, dime novels, and the comic almanac. Any soil that yields abundantly must contain in itself elements of fertility, and barren soil may have elements artificially supplied to them.

In a class of little girls at school, the question was asked, “What is a fort ?” “ A place to put men in,” was the ready reply. “What is a fortress, then?” asked the teacher. This seemed a puzzle, till one of the answered, “ A place to put women in.”