Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1897-04-01
SanO Mems in SanO CorpOre.
For the TAzEw ELL REPUBLICAN.


We live in progressive country, in
progressive age. The demands of our
higher civilization are becoming more ex-
acting over body and mind. 4 higher
status OF education in our first-class col
leges and universities is taxing the strength
of the rising generation to its fullest eX-
tent. If there be not a conservation Of
physical vigor among our youth, deterior-
alton will be the inevitable result, and a
consequent failure to make the most and
best OF life. Oar forefathers moreover
have bequeatbcd 10 past generations rich
legacies in noble examples of self denial;
useful lessons Of prudence and thrift, lives
of uprightness. truth and Righteousness. 1t
is the duty and privilege OF fathers and
heads of families today to perpetuate to
the rising generation, lessons cleaned from
books, from observation, from experience.
Let us again note some of the changes be-
ing wrought among cur people in habits
and customs during the past few years. In
many households were to be found a few
books of high moral and literary merit:
the trend today we fear in too many homes
is the substitution Of cheaper books, of
doubtful tone regarding patriotism, moral
ity and religion The clay pipe and cigar,
both injurious to some extent, have been
superseded by the cigarette, pronounced
exceedingly injurious by the opinion of
competent men, both medical and scien-
tiic. Strong drink, in large quantities is
being suweptitiously introduced, the pre-
cursor Of strife, poverty and crime. Now
what are, and what will continue to be the
result Of the above mentioned changes in
the habits aud customs of our people? a
sure deterioration Of the race, physically,
mentally, morally. Wrong standards of
virtue and morality imbibed by the i'm
mature book reading Notwithstanding
views Of the tenets Of Christianity leading
to skepticism and infdelity, parental con-
troll wholly disregarded. We live likewise
in communities bound together by bust
ness interests, by social ties, by church re-
lationship If good exists in a given COM
munity, the good will leaven that comnlu
nifty, if evil exists, the evil will leaven that
community. Hrespect for parental au-
thority, ifrespect for religion, if regard for
rules pertaining to health and strength of
body and mind be waning, that commu-
nifty is truly to be pitied. We know that
many fathers and mothers are soicitous
about the highest welfare of their children,
shielding them under their parental roof
from that which is hurful and contamina-
ting. But lock at the object lessons pre-
scented the children out Of doors, at festive
seasons, during political campaigns, wit
ness the existence of strong drink in our
midst, witness the ruinous effect to body
and mind of the deadly cigarette, witness
the growing self will of young boys and
girls. How much distress and sorrow has
been and is beng brought into the hearts
and homes Of some of our best citizens by
the above mentioned vices.
In conclusion permit a few suggestions.
First, Let our best and wisest citizens
create a sentiment against pernicious liter
ature, against the introduction of intoXi-
eating liquors, against the indulgence in
cigarettes,
Secondly, Let our merchants, many of
whom are protesting Christians, refrain
from dealing in commodities which are so
detrimental to the highest welfare of the
community Can they handle such, wit
ness their dreadful fruits, and withal keep
a good conscience?
Lastly, Let church workers and ministers
of the gospel use their influence for the
abatement and speedy suppression of nui-
sances which initiate against the welfare,
patriotism and moral standing Of the com
munity. REV. 1. MowBRAY.