The record-union., 1896-12-20
Weather Forecast.
Northern California-Fair Sunday; light,
generally northerly, winds.
THE HAND THAT RULES THE
WORLD.

A national congress Of mothers is to
be held in Washington in FEBRUARY. Let
us not be ala1med-it is not a political
movement, nor has the new woman
anything to do with it. 1t is, on the
contrary, if we understand the mat
ter to be a conference of good women
upon educational subjects related di-
rectly to the better training and disci-
pline Of the young Americans who are
to grow up to take the reins of State
and society.
Now, whatever will promote interest
in the study of the best means for
growing UP the best men and women to
the best citizenship of the Nation
ought to receive encouragement and
have sympathy.
We do not at all exceeC the bounds
of veracity when we say that probably
one of the most vital matters affect
ing the veal of the republic to-day at
taches to the home and home training.
That there has been increasing relaxa-
ton in that direction is not to be de-
MED with truth; that there has been
and are now operating among children
influences developing dangerous rest
iveness under home control, independ-
ence of home restraints and a prema-
ture maturity in manner and thought
will be confessed by all who have given
much attention to social conditions.
At a preliminary meeting in New
York out of which emanated the call
for the national conference, one Of the
promoters said that one purpose of the
movement is to put in plain view ideal
citizenship. To have that we must have
ideal children, and the thought Of ideal
children presupposes ideal motherhood.
With the ideal in view it is hoped by
educating mothers to full appreciation
of their duties and responsibilities, to
give to the nation better fathers and
mothers in years to come. She added
What is needed is the infusion of the
maternal spirit into modern woman
hood. 1t is to train young women for
AkOlIktIHOoA eAlId " AAtS hbONA-
edge which is required in the successful
raising and training of little ones. We
want to encourage the study of child
culture, and the other branches of
thought related to it directly and indi-
rectly. Thus FAR there is no national
movement or tendency whose single
aim is the concentration of the national
thought upon the Importance of mater
nal education and development, and
through this education of the mother,
the upbuilding of the race.
In the ignorance which exists there
is formidable loss of energy, of com
fort, Of happiness and of life.
This is one of the chief purposes of
the proposed organization, and assur-
edly 1t is deserving of cooperation and
sympathy. 1t is not chimerical by any
means; we can see eminent practica-
bility in it; we can understand precise
ly how great good can be accomplished
in such work through courage, pa
tience, gentleness, firmness and exam
pie. Another purpose of the proposed
congress of mothers is concerted action
OF Cnaf1ty IN ClTPCtlonS WhSre tnere Is
unfortunately little or no wholesome
home influence operating upon chill
dren.
This is praiseworthy, of course, but
1t is not superior to the charity that
begins at home. While we must see
to it that the neglected children do not
drift into vicious ways and become pub
lie charges. there must be on the lines
already indicated a waking up at
firesides of the land concerning home
training. domestic restraint and discip-
line among those for whom no charity
of effort or contribution is asked or
needed.
Let us hope, then. that these mothers
who are to inaugurate work that
means many years of devotion and self
sacrifice will be chosen from among the
wisest, most thoughtful, practical. ex-
perienced and cultured in all the nation
Let " indulge the hope, also, that they