The daily journal. (Salem, Or.) 1899-1903, 1901-10-24
EDITORIAL

A woman writes THE JOURNAL, asking
II it was not entirely mistaken about its
defence Of the Sullivan family and its
charge Of a conspiracy TO convict Henry
Sullivan. The JOURNAL has always ad-
mitted the charges OF immoral relations
existing, but has plead for the family that
il has been without moral or spiritual
protection, and that others had debauoh-
ed the girls who had powerful social and
business relations that afforded them
protection. Nothing was expected but
the conviction OF the boy, but the teati-
mony conclusively showed that others at
Mill City have been equally guilty and
should be indicted and punished. THE
JOURNAL believes the District Attorney
will go TO the bottom Of the matter and
that the end is not yet. The sullivans
reveal two things. First, II the whole
matter had been brought before a grand
Jury, all those guilty might have been
summoned and reached at least partially
by Justice. Second, there IL great need
for enforcing compulsory school attend
ance in all parts Of our country, and for
throwing better moral and religious pro-
lection around the homes OF the poorer
people. II will be cheaper than produc-
ing such demoralizing conditions as we're
revealed in the Sullivan family.
= .
ThoEe who would go to the bottom OF
our school system should study the con-
duct OF the children on the school ground
when not under direction Of teachers.
In their playtime the children reveal
the real impulses along which their ma
lures seek expression. On the girls
side of the play grounds there will be
found the manifestation OF the domes
tic instinct. At present they are sweep
ing the dead leaves Off the grass no as "a
leave arrangement OF rooms, square
lines forming whole suite Of parlor
dining-room and kitchen. In these
apartments they receive company, make
calls and keep house. The primary
instinct with girls In hOme-building
Some Of the smaller ones bring theil
dolls these fine days and the delights o
mimic motherhood are exploited. On
the boys side they are playing Jail. A
rude four.walled struotioh for the
execution OF the sentences il
constructed Of stove wood OF
perhaps even Of imaginary linei
marked on the grass that are sacred al
walls Of steel. There is a iailoF and 1
Judge and there are officers OF the law t.
bring in offenders at the order OF the
court. The boys are playing citizen anC
have in mind the outward workings O
the state and the administration Of law
OF course this may be carried on with 4
great deal of Tudeness and horse play
but it Is the assertion Of th,
primary instinct of the anglo-saxoI
race, the development Of seli-goyern
ment, Is it not apparent that all edu-
cation should fit the girls for home
keepers and home.makers and all eduea
tion Of boys should fit them for future
citizenship? DO they not tell us thiI
themselves when left 10 express them
selves? What do our theories OF educa
tion amount 10 compared 10 the
great natural instructive calls ol
the race 10 rulership'in the domains
Of most everlastinff fitness2 Of
course, We do not and cannot, expect
to change much the system OF public
education now in voyage, but whatever
We can do that will turn education into
these natural channels, should be done
by teacher and parent and school officer.
Education should work hand in hand
with nature. aud the inherent tenden-
cIes oi the race toward home-making
and goyernmdnt by tho people should
not be- - completely ignored As at
present. The child is the head Of the
family and the head OF the state Ia IN,
fufOrod and eaVaQo state.