The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1890-03-17
Mrs. Chants Address to the chl,dre,

40 the Edttor Of the Press.
Under the head of "a Memorable Occa.
sion," the Sunday Telegram of Yesterday
puohshes lengthy and highly satirical effu-
sion lnveighing against what is so called
the amazing stupidity of people Of SO usual
good Judgment as the members of the Christ
mas Club" In securing the dismissal Of the
schools last Wednesday afternoon. in order
That the young people might be given an OPP
portunity to attend the lecture of Mrs. Or
mission Chant 10 City Hall. In continuing
the writer Of the article says that the cat
calls and noises of crashing settees on this
memorable occasion" were such as have
seldom before been heard in the hail. and
that If the children had been in school,
where they would have been ut for mere
sentimentalism, they could have been learn
ing lessons OF decorous conduct.
What renders the article in question of
particular absurdity, is the knowledge that
the writer was not present ON the occasion
OF which he speaks so confidently, and must
have relied for his information upon the ve-
racity of some person untirely unfamiliar
with the ways of children in general and
wrongly ascribing to them the mature discre-
ton and consideration of older people.
looked for that tranquility and quietness
from them, which usually characterizes
concourse of their elders. As one who had
an excellent opportunity to watch the young
people attentively, l am bound to
say that l was astonished to see how
quickly Mrs. Chant captured their attention.
and what was more, engaged it to the end of
her bright and entertaining talk. With the
exception of very Insignificant element at
the rear of the hall where her voice did not
penetrate so distinctly, her audience con-
stantly listened with rapt pleasure and their
eyes were riveted upon the speaker in mute
attention as she swayed them at will by the
power OF her clear diction and simple elo-
quence. To those present on the occasion
and understanding the natural instincts and
attributes OF children 1t was matter of
agreeable surprise and mention that such
good order was preserved by the $500 young
people.
Ii 1t be sentimentalsm to engage in works
of charity and kindness, If it be sentimental
ism to strive to uplift and elevate those
about you then this act of the Christmas
Club was sentimentaiism pure and simple
and its members take Just pride In consider
ing their action in this light.
1t seems indeed uncalled for and entirely
unjustifable to attempt to cast the shadow
OF disparagement and derision upon the
phlanthropic efforts of our charitable as
sociations which have no other object than
to be the medium of good to the community;
and especially is such course the more to
be deprecated when we reflect that he who
pursues 1T, does so with no other instigation
or provocation than an inconceivable and
abstract sense of duty to detract from the
good fruits of charitable efforts. 1t is diff
cult to understand the motive which impress
es newspaper, presumably having at heart
the welfare of the community. to publish an
article of this kind w.lich aside from the fact
that it is wholly deficient of verify, yet lacks
the efficacy to influence public opinion and
renders the desired result mere beggar to
the means. There can be no alternative left
to the reader thar to suppose that such a
cynical and pessimistic onslaught is the mere
venting of the yirulent and vindictive feel
ings of its authors. C, J,B,