Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1901-10-31
A WORD IN SEASON.

TOnlBnt many OF our yOunb peppie
will celebrate what is known as Hallow-
cen. 1t Is an old custom, but though
associated with many superstltions,
may be followed by those who wish to
do so in an inoffensive manner Hal
loween Is the evening preceding ALI
Saints Day; one OF the feast days of
the Romish church, the celebration of
which has come down to modern times
Invested generally Of religious obsery-
ances. II Is made the occasion for d.
versions and all kinds of pranks and
practical jokes by young people, chiefly
those who are unmarried, and has de-
generated into season Of rowdylsm
and disturbance among the rough boys
In American communities.
In Utah, the young folks who sit up
until after midnight to indulge in pas
times. against which perhaps there can
be no great objection, do not regard
the celebration in any religious sense,
aud but few of them with any credence
in the superstitions attached to II,
They merely engage In a little social
enjoyment, and their object is fun and
jollty. IL this is not carried to ex-
tremes no harm is likely to come Of It.
But sometimes practical joking Is made
offensive and injurious, and this Is
highly reprehensble. II ought not to
be encouraged by parents and persons
who have arrived at years Of discretion.
Rational pleasure should not be sup
pressed but extremes ought TO be dis
couraged and anything that infringes
upon human rights ought to be stopped
peremptorily,
A determined effort should be made
to prevent the hoodlumism which has
become common ON this occasion, and
which calls for the interference Of peace
officers and the aid OF all law-ablding
citizens, for the preservation Of good
order. Boys and silly young men will
have to learn, that they will not be
permitted 10 destroy property or do
| anything 70 cause injury to the
| person OF any individual, old or
young. Exuberance OF spirit lndulg-
ence In youthful games. little more
noise than usual. may be passed by
without any endeayor at restraint.
But when peaceable people are dis
turbed In their homes by rowdy youths.
and pickets are torn off fences, gates
removed and foot bridges carried away,
endangering the limbs IL not the lives
Of pedestrians. and other similar d.
versions are INDUCED In. II is time TO
put on the brakes and TO exercise au-
thorlty for the prevention Of such evils
or the punishment OF the offenders.
Such depredatlons as injure person or
property should not be overlooked, but
the law should be invoked and It's PEN
alties be enforced against the guilty.
A duty rests upon parents and
guardians and upon teachers in the
schools, to impress upon the minds OF
bur boys and girls the wrong OF In
fringing upon the rights and liberties
Of any human being and Of interfering
with or destroying property. There
are plenty Of ways and means for
proper recreation and amusement with
out violating law or decency, We de-
sire the happiness OF ali and would not
do or say anything to repress the Joy
Gus spirits of our young people. but We
express the sentiment Of the large ma
jority OF our citizens. when we protest
against the lawless disturbances and
the assaults upon the homes and the
property Of quiet people, in the spirit
OF mischief and destruction.
Due vigilance should be exercised by
| the police. But they ought not 10 be
blamed for disturbances, the scenes Of
which they cannot reach. They can be
only in one place at a time, and their
number is not sufficient TO extend to
every part Of the city. All abie-bodied
men, however. can and ought TO do
their part in helping to maintain peace
and good order. Let this Hallowe en-
be celebrated by those who wish to OBJ
serve 1t, but let no one be injured In
person or estate In consequence Of It's