Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1898-07-13
READING Roon.AND GYMNASIUM.
A Timely Communication from One
Interested In Young Men.

interested In Young men,
The editor is in receipt of the fol
lowing communication from Malcolm
Dana, young man known by thu
Morris people to be interested in thu
subject on which he writes. 1t is I
live subject and The TRIBUNE heartily
endorses the opinions herein express
ed:-
EDITOR OF TRIBUNE
NV recent visit to your town during
it's Fourth of July season, together will
my interest as a young man with young
men, prompts me to send in few words
suggestive to my impressions on this my
second visit to Morris.
In this day of large patriotism and ma
tional outlook, our eyes are turned inward
rather than outward to see if we are made
of fibre strong enough to stand the com
ing strain of larger and more weighty
worldLrelations. And as we work back
ward toward the units of our nation, we
find the obligations to rest upon the in
dividual. The great question is the envir
onment we are allowing to exist around
ourselves and others for which we bear
direct responsibility.
The patriotism needed today is a home
patriotism municipal patriotism. And
along this line were my impressions OF
Norris /. e. of it's needs and opportunities
to meet it's obligations,
There is not town of double the size OF
Morris which can boast of as many, and
believe of as good a class of young men
And yet there is not a town that is doing
less for them; or that offers more tempta-
tions to make them what they donot wish
and ought not to be-.
What is Morris doing for it's young men?
The Fourth of July celebration showed
Commendable enterprise. The help and
patronage given the baseball team was
good and | edjOyed the game immensely
enthused over Morris victory. This is all
as it should be. But there is further need
and opportunity
OF course personally l base my appeal on
Christian principles and obligation. But
my argument does not rest there alone.
There is duty owed by man to man, of a
town to it's citizens, It is only too true
that churches are.not fulfilling their mis-
sion as they ought. 1t is also true that
their methods in many cases, as well as
their spirit does not beget them the re
SpeCt of those outside. All for the reason
they are made up of human beings of like
passions with non-church goers. Their
ideals are high and hard to attain and
churches suffer defeat in 1ife's battles as
well as individuals. The fault is not with
the ideal at all, as it is not with those we
as young men try to reach but so often
fall short of.
Young men are social beings! The first
for the qualification of So
cial requirements lies in the home. Par
ents are first responsible. But whether
homes are such as to keep young men by
preference off the streets or not assoCia-
ton with other young men in various
ways are right. The strongest friendships
are those between man and man. But the
place of such men is the RESPONSE
bi1ity of a town. Citizens may differ in
their opinions about the saloon. But
the tax payer believes the saloon
necessary to municipal welfare, he does
not want his children to congregate there
and he never believes they will, is last to
other lines ought to prompt action in
regard to such things. Young men ought
to be strong enough to resist But we
know some are not. We know temptation
should not be allowed to exist simply be-
cause they might be- This applys to the
corner grocery, or kindred place where
he association of young men is not a
healthy one but leads to worse II
The fact of the matter is Morris ought to
nave Y. NJ. C. A. with it's accessories of
eading rooms and gymnasium: This Is
lot under the tutelage of the churchss but
s rather preparation for them. It is dis
inCtly young mems organization car
led on for and by them. It's creed is GER
ainly the best manhood possible by the
'est means possible; the whole man ply
ica1, mental and moral. 1t is a business
organization interesting business men.
The citizens of Morris it seems to the
writer ought to be interested in such a |
move. It adds to the prestige of place. |
zen. Miles has attended and given his |
Import to it in the army. Railroad men |
ay it is of untold value in diminishing |
ccidents and raising the tone of employ |
es. They are going into it on business |
ather than sentimental reasons. It gives |
aCk more than dollar for dollar invest
lent.
From personal observation and CONVEX
alton know a reading room and gymna-
ium are wanted down town by the
Dung men of Morris. Mr.. Editor, why
hou1d not committee of citizens call on
ne business men and ask for subscriptions
n such thing just as much as for a
ase ball fence or game? One is transient
God as it is; the other is a permanent all
he year round institution. Do not the
usinesS men owe this to the young men
no serve them in the stores? Do not
arents care to know that temptations to
gitimate and healthy social enjoyments
re given to their young men as well as
Tiers they allow even if they don't ap-
rove? AS business investment ought
OF this matter to be agitated as well as on
cher bases. The environment placed
round the young men of Morris is town
litigation.
My suggestions would be these:
l Have a business like committee, of
lree young men of Morris look into this
latter.
Send to the Y. NJ. c. A. state commit