The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1897-01-28
EDITORS CHAT.

A Question of Tramps and Our own far'
and Its Solution.
Inez wjehtnan, writing from Montana. asks
the editors opinion as TO our attitude towards
tramps. SO called. In other words, should we
give tho hungry man something to eat and
drink when he knocks st our door and AXIS tor
food?
Ordinarily there could be bnt one reply to
this. since the divine injunction is, even con-
corning our enemy. IF he hunger give him
food In any case the answer would DO yes
although this may not always mean food from
your own hand or your own larder; but an as
surancc that the hungry person win be sent to
n place where food is provided. Beyond this
the Limitation rests only in ones ability to
provide food on CALI for everyone who asks.
In large towns aud cities. aud in most parts
OF cur country, public provision has been made
for taking care of those in need of food ana
clothes, but in many places, especially IN
newly-scitied countries. either no provision has
been made or the means in hand are made
quate in such cases the burden is UPON all
classes OF citizens who have food to make pro-
vision for those who have not. and thus even
our enemies may be fed.
1t is worse than folly TO assert that men and
women out of employment. even TO the extent
Of being compelled to ask for food or perish. are
therefore unworthy of our help. Especially is
this true at the present time. when, owing 10
the universal depression of cur National indus
tries there are millions who have no means oil
earning their daily bread. IL is no exsggera-
zion TO say that one man ont OF every 10 TO-
day. among those who have heen hresd-minners.
ecsrceiy knows where his next weeks bread IS
coming from. while many more. heretofore
thrifty and prosperous. IND their only assets
are taxes and mortgages.
This is the actual condition of affairs, theorizc
as we u ay, and the only thing fer as. as Chris
tian people. TO do is to help one another. Let
him that hath two coats give to him that hath
none.
Human nature is naturally selfish, and there
is DO danger of our becoming too charitable or
too kind TO those who in want or need.
Far better for ms all to study the life and pre-
cepts of Him who had not where 10 lag ms
head. and perhaps the angels of God VIII minis.
ter TO Us in our distresses tdey ministered
to him.
BANDS OF MERCY.
Rauas of Mercy are being formed in many of
our public schools, and are the natural compile
mept of patriotic teaching. The plcasaniest
report of effect of such organizations comes from
2 can TaDciSGu.
= Some wears ago TIE Jefferson District schools
were the most 6isord.riy in the city. The
children were turbulent aud qcarrelsome
among themselves and crnei 10 everything, from
the Chinsman toiling along under bis burden
TO the stray cat in the alley.
They were natural pngilists. and free fights
after school often brought the children TO
school the next day with skinned faces. black
ewes and broken noses. But the children fight
no more. they do not throw stones at cats or
lie tin cans to the dogs tails, or pursue the
cringing cody.
All this because every child has been enrolled
by the Principal, Miss NJ. NJ. Murphy, into
Bands of Mercy; and the ides, at first COM
bafted in the District. has grown into popu-
larity until every child is promo Of his enroll
ment. At last accounts the number enrolled
had reached $50.
Every Friday afternoon before dismissal the
classes of the Jefferson School gather in the
Assembly Room, each class wearing a distinct
color, as red white, pink, purple. gold. or blue.
They all stand rp and recite in chorus this
stanza from Coieridce:
He psayeth hest who ioveih best
All things both great and small,
For the dear God who oveih as
He made and ioveth ali.
At these meetings the children are called
upon 10 give their experiences. after singing
song or two. and there is plenty of evidence to
show that the incuicafion OF humane ideas into
their young minds is telling upon their daily