"THE RIGHTS OF CHILDREN."
[TO THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR. '1 SIR,—The Liverpool " Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children," and the proposed formation of a kindred society in London, demonstrate the prevalence of a new principle in the public mind ; yet possibly some do not perceive the tendency and extent of the principle involved. No such society can long exist, nor do much good work in the way of rescue or prevention, without falling foul of the present legal status given to children and minors, which is that of a slave or chattel. No child, even if eighteen years old, can claim legal protection against its parents as a right. A society, with special powers for the• purpose, must claim legal protection for it; and the exist- ence of such a society is a recognition on the part of the" public that children have " rights." The right of "freedom to exercise the faculties, so long as such exercise does not interfere with the like liberty in others," is one which does not depend upon the number, strength, or weakness of such faculties. Children, therefore, as well as women and men; are entitled to appeal directly to law for protection. The existing and proposed societies will, by their operation, do, much to bring this just principle into notice. Parents. have no more a "divine right" to abuse or assault their- children than to assault or abuse women or men. The mere embodiment of this principle in a legal enactment would' be a potent aid to the object sought by these Societies ; and the separation of parent and child, necessarily so often wrought by those who desire to protect or rescue the child, become less imperative. It is towards this we are tending. Would it be any loss to the community, or to themselves, were parents thus impelled towards a reign of love, and not a reign of terror P
The justice of this principle is made more conspicuous if we regard the effects which follow from failure to recognise and act on it. If every abused or ill-treated child is to be taken off the hands of its parents by the State or by private benevolence, we put a peculiarly grateful premium upon parental barbarity ; nay more, we deprive these parents of the humanising influence these little ones, whom Providence has permitted them to have, may exercise upon them if left free to do so. We thus not only "do evil that good may come," but we do two evils in seeking to effect one good ; and this, because we use the wrong means. By giving to children and minors the right of personal appeal to law against cruelty on the part of parents, guardians, or teachers, we in no wise diminish the love of parents towards their offspring or prevent its reciprocation. No law can ever make parent and child independent of each other, any more than a whole legislative code can make men independent one of another. No dire social revolution need, therefore, be feared from the passing of such an Act. Mutual respect and love are never injured by equal freedom, but always increased. To lead by love—by the consent of the will—is the only real leadership ; and is, therefore, more important in family life than in any outer sphere. It is, indeed, the necessary prelude to the harmonies of a similar law of love in all the relationships of life. How can we marvel at the existence or growth of the lawless classes, or feel surprise that children, compelled to obedience under a brutal reign of terror, seem to need similar compulsion when they become those " children of a larger growth " called men ? " The angels " attendant on children " do always behold the face of the Father in Heaven." They see and know His love towards the little ones. How must they thrill with horror at the scenes of brutal compulsion, not altogether rare even in so-called " respectable" families !
It would be mere sentimentalism to conclude that compulsion
is not sometimes necessary both with children and with men ; but it need never be accomplished by means of brutality or personal assault. The natural recoil of outraged natural laws, if permitted to act freely, will secure this in the gentlest pos- sible and most effective manner, for these natural laws are the laws of Him who is infinite Love and Wisdom. In so doing we rouse no personal enmity, and justice—an infinite justice— makes its voice heard in the heart of the transgressor.
These Societies for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children should claim and agitate for a legal enactment which shall guarantee to children the same freedom from assault now granted -to women and men. The mere existence of such a law would. prevent the need of frequent appeal to it.—I am, Sir, &c., J. L. F.
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