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Show LOGAN CITY, NOVEMBER 13, 1879. A GRAVE QUESTION. An account in this issue of the Leader, of a fight between two little boys, will probably have the effect to awaken in the minds of parents a renewed consideration of a most important subject. The incident, though comparatively trifling in itself, is still very suggestive. Hoodlumism is growing rapidly in Logan, and unless something is soon done to check its progress, dire results may follow. Commonly boys do not become conspicuously wild or rowdy until they reach their teens, but here the opposite is the case. While among the youth, there are some who are just what they should not be in point of morality and manner, among the little boys there are very many who now rival them in wrong doing and who will, unless checked, grow to be much worse. No observant person can avoid noticing this. The larger boys tear down fences, carry off gates, overturn bridges, and in the early evening congregate at convenient points to insult people who may be obliged to pass their chosen localities. The smaller boys, to the extent of their strength, and impudence, copy them on all these things, and also in smoking, swearing, and fighting. Their rowdiness assumes manifold shapes, and either in the thoughtlessness or recklessness of youth they are guilty of practices which cannot be too much regretted. Since this article was commenced, we have been informed that the services at the Presbyterian church on Sunday evening last were very seriously disturbed by some of the youngsters of Logan. It is said that they became so rude in their behavior that the minister was under the necessity of expelling them. All right-minded citizens feel sorry that such things should occur, but many of them, with all their deprecation of unlawful conduct, do not taken the proper steps to remedy the evils or avoid continual repetitions. Every man and woman in the community should endeavor to accomplish something in the way of correcting existing wrongs, and thereby bring about a better state of affairs. Parents, desiring their children to grow up in honor and virtue, should adopt all reasonable measures of safety. Not in harshness and cruelty, but in love, charity, and long-suffering. Officers of the law and persons anxious for this citys welfare, should do all in their power to prevent the recurrence of the disgraceful scenes which in times past have stained? the fame of the youth of Logan and on every occasion, when a good precept can be inculcated or a proper example shown, should give to the children the benefit of the same. In this respect Logan is no worse but rather better than the majority of cities, even in Utah Territory; yet the room for improvement is very wide here. All proper license should be given to the young; and their lawful privileges should not be curtailed. It certainly is better to be extreme in leniency, than to be extreme in ???. But there is a happy medium, which, if it can be reached, will be a great blessing. The pride and the hope of any nation or church are with the youth; and especially is this true of the communities of the Latter-Day Saints. With all the great promises which are given to the children, and the glorious prospects which are before them, too much care and attention cannot be bestowed upon their training and government. As a rule they are ready to receive good instruction and righteous impressions. Occasionally they wander, but if they be shown the true and the false, sooner or later they will forsake the evil and cleave unto the good. To deal properly with young people requires more tact than is necessary for a diplomatic mission; and there are really just as few good rules of precedent in one case as in the other. Every parent follows his own excellent plan; and every writer on the subject advances his own original and infallible system. Many people say, deal gently with the erring one. While many others remark with Byron: Oh, ye! Who teach the ingenious youth of nations- I pray ye flog them upon all occasions. It mends their morals never mind the pain. |