PHI LOS 0 P H Y . - Classic Works of Apologetics Online

238 RighlJ if PatelllJ.
right to such authority, and in support of that au",
thority to exercise such discipline, as may be necessary
for these purposes. The law of nature acknowl.
edges no other foundation of a parent's right over
his children, be~ide his duty towards them (I speak
now of such rights as may be enforced by coercion.)
This relation coruers DO property in their persons, or
natural dominion over them. as iscommonly supposed.
Since it is, in general, !Jecessary to determine the
destination of children~ oefore they are capable of
judging of their own h~.ppiness, parents have a right
to elect professions for them. ..
As the mother herself owes obedience to the father;
her authority must submit to, his. In a competition,
therefore, of commands, the father is to be obeyed.
In case of the death of either, the authority, as well
as duty, of both parents devolves upon the survivor.
These rights, always foHowing the duty, belong
likewise to guardians; . and so m11ch of them, as is
delegated by the parents or guardians, belong.s to tn.
tors~ schoolmasters, &c. .
From this principle, "that the rights of parents
loesult from their duty," it follows, that parents have
no natural right over the lives of their children, as
was absurdly allowed to RomaiZ fathers; nor any to
exercise unprofitable severities; nor io COIllmand th2
commission of crimes ; for these rights can never be
wanted for the purposes of a parent's duty.
Nor, for the sanle reason, have parents any right
to sell tileir children into slavery. Upon \\Thien, by
the way, we may observe, that the children of slave::;
are not, by the la\\-· 0f nattlre, borll sla~.·fir, as
the master's right is derived to him through tfe pa ..
rent, it can never be greater than the p~rent's own.
lIenee also it appears, that parents 110t only pervert,
but exceed their just aUthority, when they consult
t h eJr · own am b·
Itlon,
.. Interest, ur
· .,. h
}JrejUU1~(:!, a.~ t e
manifest expense of thdr chilJren's happiness. Of
which abuse of parental power, the following are iIl-
1 ,. f·" h .
'·i;lT1C(\~: t le SDtlttIllg' tll) 0 da~!g. tets and younger