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. (Bditprial from tho Etude.)' ;
. In.the quaint and picturesque Quaker county
seat, West Chester, Pennsylvania, a bronze tablet
lias just been placed upon the front of the ilne
now Court House building,- Tho tablet reveals
the Ten Commandments of Moses. This is a
Bplendidthing for, the few, who stopping to read,
need auch a reminder in that God-fearing com
munity. " At the same time it is typical of, the
historic blunder of our Solons in beginning
ethical training at the wrong end. Long before
the time tho offender reaches the Court House
lie has forsaken his need for the Ten Command
ments. What is the result?
America is now confronting a menace which
thinking men and women witness with the great
est gravity. Whether it is known as graft, prof
iteering, "taking a chance and getting away with
it," embezzlement, homicHe, or by the real
names, stealing, lying, banditry, murder or trea
son, makes little difference. America is under
going an era of criminal deeds altogether un
paralleled. In the city of Chicago last year, for
Instance, there were more homicides than in all
England and Wales, including London, which has
three times the population of Chicago. Our
cataract of crime, from petty bribing to the
most horrible and brutal offenses, has astounded
the country.
It is very easy to attribute tliis to the "war,"
to the "times," to "prohibition," to "undesirable
aliens," etc. We Americans have a very com
fortable way of excusing our own shortcomings.
However much other factors may have contri
buted, the truth remains that our menace is
largely of home manufacture. We ,are respon
sible, and we imfst realize that responsibility ii
we are to provide a remedy for future genera
tions. The public school-system of America is un
questionably weakest in the most significant of
all factors in education Character Building.
While music in itself does not build character,
its stimulating, ennobling influence, it's power to
serve as a unifying force in all assemblies, its
effect in training the mind to exceedingly rapid
and accurate action, make it an indispensable
background for the more direct character-forming
activities. Let us consider the very serious
problem and perhaps . suggest what part music
shall play in its solution.
No fault can be found with the thoroughness
with which "Readin', ' 'Ritin' and 'Rithmetic"
have been taught in American public schools. Yet
tho great fdet that truth, honor and honesty
first, and truth, honor and honesty always, must
rise supreme in the conscience of man with his
contact with all his fellow men, is the outstand
ing essential in any system of human education.
Unless the child is taught this fact, so that it
remains as a lifetime guide; not only is all his
other schooling worthless, but other knowledge
may. actually be dangerous to the state that edu
cates him.
Mr. Ponzi,, late of Boston, now of the state
penitentiary, was exceedingly good at figures (or
shall we call it higher mathematics?) The jails
are liberally supplied with some of the most ex-
. pert penmen of tho times. There are thousands
of criminfilg who are able to read remarkably
. well, som.e in several languages. "Readin, 'Ritin
and 'Rithmetic" are and always will bo es
sentials; but they will never take the place of
ethical training and aesthetic, inspirational de
velopment, especially In these days when count
less families have severed their, relations with
the church.
Obviously, ethical training is the. solemn duty
, of; all religions. But what religious, moral and
ethical training does the child receive in thiB day,
either in the home or in the church?
The 'Methodist Protestant Church reports that
there" are now 58,000,000 persons in the bound
aries of the "United States who re not In any
church, Protestant, Catholic or Jewish. The
process of evangelizing such a. multitude would
take a lifetime. Meanwhile, what is happening
In'the way of building up a proper conception
Lot right or wrong, justice or injustice, service
or injury among the children, of such a group?
With the flickering of the spiritual candles the
world is but a. step from moral chaos. In Rus
sia it exists of this moment.
Vet, no matter how ugly the reports of ethical
paralysis, there are in America toda an enor
mous number of splendid, upright, square, clean-
Give Him Time to Digt Whut Ht H.
I ut f&l I As WNG A C ? jl . AS LONG AS A V
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From the Chicago Tribune.
minded constructive people who will, at the right
time, see to it that the high ideals which we love
to call AMERICAN will reach out to those who
do not at present understand or appreciate them.
A SORRtf SPECTACLE
By no stretch of imagination can one understand-
why Women should like to attend xt prize
fight. New York society women suddenly have
become patrons of the art of fisticuffs. Miss
Anne Morgan, daughter of the late financier, was
at the ringside last Friday night when Messrs.
Leonard and Mitchell fought to a knockout in
the sixth round.
The sprawling, sprewing Mitchell, for it was
he who was knocked out, must have been an ele
vating sight to Miss MorgaL, whose life has been
that of culture and devotion to the elevating
elements of life. 'The fact that the proceeds of
the fight are intended for the war-stricken folk
in France cannot be offered as a satisfactory
excuse for Women attending the affair.
Prizefighting is the most brutal occupation
of civilized man. The physical development and
cleverness which goes with it can have no elevat
ing Effect upon the minds of those engaged in
it or for those who see it.
The Herald, as its thousands of readers know,
is ail extremely liberal newspaper, granting to
everyone the right of freedom of thought and the
pursuit of happiness in the individual's chosen
manner, but it would feel that it had neglected
its duty to the morals of the nation did it not
condemn tho presence of women at fighting ex
hibitions. There are millions of refined, home-loving
women in America who are giving long hours of
their time to properly instructing sons and
daughters as to right living. When women of
the prominence of Miss Morgan and those of
her class attend a prizefight the news Is spread
"broadcast. What are the sons and daughters in
our homes to think when they read of "society
women in evening gowns" seeing Mitchell go
down to the mat, into unconsciousness, under the
brutal blows of Leonard?
Miss Morgan is a charming woman, who has
used her great fortune to alleviate in many
lands. She has contributed liberally to" the arts
and sciences. She certainly has not contributed
to the morals of her country by going to a prize
fight. In apology for her, it is fair to presume
that she was over-persuaded through her be
nevolent activities to take part in the -exhibition.
Miami Herald.
PRESIDENT-ELECT AT MIAMI
Miami skies smiled on Warren G. Harding
yesterday.
A delightful ay It was, filled with charm for
the distinguished visitor and those whom he met.
From the hour he arose until evening, when
he sailed away for a fishing trip, tho day was
filled with pleasant incidents for Mr. Harding.
The president-elect had luricheon at the Flam
ingo hotel and later in the afternoon made a
return call at the home of Mr. and Mrs. William
Jennings Bryan, where a very interesting and en
joyable hour was spent.
Mr. Harding's party consisted of Senator
Frelinghuysen, his physician, Dr. Ely; his secre
tary, George B. Christian, and Frank B. Shutts.
During their rambles through Mr. Bryan's
estate at Villa Serena the cameramen to their
great delight, were permitted to make free with
the distinguished party.
At 6 o'clock Mr. Harding and his party went
abroad Carl G. Fisher's speed boat, Shadow VI,
en route to Cojcolobo Cay club, where they will
spend several days on a fishing trip. Mr. Fisher
Is acting as host on this trip and Capt. H.
Thompson will be chief guide. Miami, Fa.,
Herald.
If these February half off sales are genuine,
they ought to result in bringing a great many of
the women to believe In the doctrines of collec
tive bargaining; .
JJ-.t.t VtKl, BTt,
i2i.liigL. J'kMiiiMMi&ilStaLJs,
