Mothers the Best Teachers
By Editor
Mothers the Best Teachers.—We think there is a great deal of truth in what the Denver Republican says, in speaking of the teachings of eugenic societies and other organizations anxious to exploit the sex question. It declares that it should be left with mothers. In the first place, we feel there is no question at all but that children ought to be taught, and ought to be taught in a careful, proper way, the secret of life; but we believe, after all, that the one to do that, above every one else, is the good, pure mother. When it is taken into schools and into all sorts of circles, it is likely to do more harm than it does good. Mere knowledge of itself will not save. It needs a stronger, more sympathetic, more tender, more powerful hand than any society can exert, to hold the young from being led astray, and this generally is found in the mother. Let the efforts of the people who are so burdened be put forth to help the mother, and let the mother come in connection with her children. Of course it is sad that there are so many mothers who are ignorant, careless, seemingly unconcerned, regarding their daughters. It is these, doubtless, who have stirred up the reformers; but to enlighten children, and then turn them back to such uninstructed mothers, is likely to do more harm than good. Enlighten the mothers, and help them to help the children. "Harper's Weekly" of October 19 well says that "the Cedar Grove, New Jersey, school board that wants its Canadian high school pupil to declare allegiance to the United States flag every morning, has misapprehended its duties." It has. It certainly does not foster respect for a country to command arbitrarily that outward homage shall be paid to its flag. And along a parallel line, it does not arouse respect for religion to enforce it. These are lessons taught through all the ages. Guglielmo Ferrero, the historian, in a carefully prepared article for the press, says that the Balkan war now so strongly under way is the struggle between the barbarism that Turkey represents and the advance of civilization. He is not sure whether the present will be the deciding war or not, but he thinks that the time must soon come when a war will be waged, before which the old barbarism of the Ottoman must give way. A striking cartoon in the Brooklyn "Eagle" makes the dime novel responsible for the reign of thievery and vice that is giving New York City so much notoriety at present. Pernicious reading-matter and strong drink are twin evils that are doing their full share in cursing the world.