The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1884-07-12


Many persons are wondering what
the women of the w. G.. 7. u. really
mean by the term scientific instruc-
ton" which they notice more frequent
ly than formerly in articles on the sub
ject of Temperance; also what they are
aiming TO accomplish by it in the pub
lie schools if their plans are carried to-
successful issue.
Many teachers claim to be already
teaching Temperance principles, and
so they are in very mild way. by cas-
ually remarking now and then to their
pupils that whisky drinking is morally
wrong and that it degrades, debases and
impUVerishes those who indulge in the
habit
To teach Temperance truths scientific
ally includes much more than this. It
is to give regular lessons on the nature,
of alcohol, its effects on the different
organs of the human body, and the
changes that. slowly but surely take
place as the blood becomes poisoned
and carries this poison to every part of
the system.
The State provides for the education
of its children and demands in return
that they be sent forth armed and
equipped to defend the laws of free
people, in short that they be good citi-
zens. The greatest obstacle they meet
in their path is intemperance. They
are constantly tempted to indulge in
the so called social CD glass, and one of
the most important questions of to-day
is, How can they best be taught to re-
sist the temptation which leads to the
moral, mental and physical ruin which
lies in the cup of intoXication? The
answer is, by scientific instruction, and
the best place where such instruction
can be given in early life is in the pub
lie school. There are few teachers who
would consider themselves prepared to
give regular and systematic lessons on
this subject without special preparation.
The work to be thorough and perma-
nent must be done as well as that in
arithmetic or grammar step by step
from the simple statement which a child
can understand to the more difficult
ones as the pupils develop a capacity
for higher grades of mental work.
AS long as the matter of having such
instruction in the schools is optional
with School Boards, so long will it be-
done in a half-hearted manner by
large number of teachers, under the
impression that change in the admin
istration of school affairs will perhaps
be,the signal for pause in the teach
ing already begun. To secure per-
manency in this work. to inspire teach
ers with laudable ambition to excel in
this line the State must make it OBJ
igatOry in all schools under its control;
a matter easily accomplished by pass
ing law requiring the effects of alco-
hol and tobacco upon the human sys-
tenn to be regularly and scientifically
taught
The Legislature of Vermont, with a
keen insight into the needs of the
future, has passed such bill, the prin--
cipal clause of which reads:
BE it enacted, that See 10 of the School
laws OF Vermont are amended, adding to the
list of require studies in the public schools
elementary physiology and hygiene which
alcoholic drinks, stimulants and narcotics
upon the human system"
New Hampshire and Michigan quickly
followed her example. Do you ask
what is to prevent Illinois from having
similar law in operation? Ask those
legislators who did not dare to vote
against it, yet did not want it to pass
how the bill was manipulated when
presented last winter A still more de-
termined effort in that objection is to
be made. For the sake of our future
citizens let us plead for it; for the sake
of mothers who would thus be spared
the agony of beholding promising sons
90 reeling into drunkards' graves let
us work for it.
If every person as soon as convinced
of the need and eXpediency of such a
law would earnestly set to work to con-
vince one other, how rapidly little
leayen the would leaven the whole
lump and public sentiment would soon
demand such law as right, while
legislators, whether personally favora-
Die to it or not, would not dare to vote
In opposition to the known wishes of
their constituents. --En1jIy z. Keener,
IN Union ,SiOhni