The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1897-10-02
w. G. r. u. COLUMN.
scientific Temperance Instruction In


scientific Temperance Instruction In
schools.
The temperance movement - essen
TALLY educational. It required many
years of earnest work to convince people
that total abstinence was conducive to
the highest degree of physical and men.
tai energy, and that apart from the
moral consequences, involved, the total
abstainer is the stronger man, while the
habitual use of stimulants produces
physical deterioration which p~redisposes
to other diseases.
The introduction of scientific temper
aDce instruction into the public schools
of the country may we'll be regarded as
the most important educational work OF
the temperance movement. Within the
public schools, millions OF children are
taught to think intelligently and
nationally, and habits are there formed
from which there is no . cape in after
life.
II the public schools Of America would
say with all their power that alcoholic
stimulants are injurious to the health
and that they lay the foundation for
physical weakness, mental inferiority ard
moral ruin. the next generation would be
sober, SO that there would be no need of
a prohibitory law.
When we consider the lasting nature
OF impressions made on the minds of the
young children by the words OF teachers,
and also remember that into the public
school come pupils from all sorts aud
conditions of homes, it would seem as il
the teaching of scientific temperance in
the schools would receive the earnest
attention Of every person interested IN
the overthrow Of intemperance.
South Dakota has q most excellent
temperance instruction law, and If all
of the ninety thousand children in our
state, we're thoroughly taught, as the
law requires, the scientific effect Of ir-
toxicants and of narcotics upon the
human system. these children would no
doubt grow up to become sober and in
dustrious citizens, upon whom the
saloons could not depend for patronage.
While it is true that many teachers in
our state are giving the temperance IN
struction MS thoroughly and as
Systematically as they teach any other
branch still it is natural that a teacher
should be influenced by the public
sentiment of the community he serves.
II his constituents take no interest in
the temperance movement, or If they
disapprove study of temperance in the
school, intrusted to his charge, it is
probable that other subjects will nearly,
if not entirely, occupy his time, ST that
if the temperance law is not utterly ig-
nored, its spirit will not be complied
with. Then, too, the teacher may him
self have personal objections to the
teaching of this subject. He may not
be in sympathy with the law, and may
find a ready excuse for his indifference
and neglect of the subject.
All parents, therefore, who wish their
children to receive the right temperance
training in the schools. should investi-
gate how this subject is treated by the
teachers to whom they lntrust their
children.
No greater agency for the temperance
principles, has yet been devised than
the study OF scientific temperance in
in schools, and to give full effect to that
agency, should be the resolve of every
friend of the temperance cause.