The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-08-28
WOMAN Qno
 SOCIETY.

ents would thus be doubly drawn to the work by present employment for adults and preparation for future employment of their offspring.
 There is no need to dwell on the eco-
 homie evolution which makes it inevita- ble that our white children shall become
 the future artisans and farmers of Ala bama: no need to speak of the dwindlng
 numbers all demoralized of the cheery old time dusky welders of the shovel and the hoe; no need to say how the steam blows, steam harvesters and other ma chimes are making agriculture the employ ment of skilled white laborers. All these things have been told LIS over and over again by men like President C. C. Thach whose actions are more eloquent than his | wordsI by, J. w. Abercrombie, whose service to the schools is at once appeal
 and. inspirations by Cd. H. A. Herbert, , whose patriotism has shone so bright in
 war and peace and by sother far-seeing | honest. brave men who live the faith they | profess. There is need, however, to re- 1 mind ourselves that we women should 1 be willing, unselish. devoted adherents of a great cause which shall bring pros perity and happiness-nay, even bles-
 sedness to Alabama and to ourselves. How gladly would we forego all silk at tire and every personal indulgence to save our offspring. the children of our flesh and blood, Could We but know it. we do this best We only do it at all when we make happy, industrious and prosperous all the children of our country, when we elave in Alabama no idle uneducated children to grow into ignorant anarChistic agitat ators and half-starved mobs of the future, when we secure the measures and means which shall bless Alabama with peaceful homes whose dwellers have ere ated the prosperity which the govern
 ment in which they participate preservs. There are two vital issues we may help to meet: conservative legislation for child labor and careful legislation with appropriation for child training. The appropriations we must seek to supple ment by contributions.
 Of course we will let no dragon devour
 our children, nor corporation enslave them. Equally of course we must not conjure up through il-timed fears the dragon, nor dread a corporation whose own freedom is dependent on our laws Let us not in the dust clouds of strife and through the films of misunderstand- ing mistake good for evil.
 Human nature has it's heritage If greed and ovarice and cruelty and, worse than al its clam and oyster heritage of in difference Theodore q government which advances in civilization frames laws to protect each from the possible aggres- sions or neglect of any and all. Tha po- litical evolution of some European coun- tries has produced instances of patornal- ism which arc d distinct advance towards socialism, none of which are wiser and more humane than the laws which rceu- late the labor Of children, ard the laws which provide for industrial classes op- rOrtunities to fit themselves for greater efficiency in their work.
 We all appreciate the mONem snt for manual training in the common schools in it's great social meaning and value, as eduCative of the taste and sympathy of consumers while promotive of the skill of creators in our markets, forging as it does, common bond of brotherhpad in early school days between those who. in after life, will represent the capital and the labor of the State.
 We are often told that we are at a cru- cal point in our economic. social and po- litical development A faint reflection is in our sky of the glare of that war be- tween the dollars of millionaircs and the strained muscles of toilcrs; mutter-
 ngs do we hear of the conflict of races: and Democracy. Republicanism, paternal- ism and socialism Confound us, each with rahd denunciatiOn of all the others With some of these phases of national life we can have nothing to do. but, always, ev-
 
 woman is expected to do that part which is her duty in the land she calls home. So. while we ask that the State protect with wise labor laws our growing chill dren, let us ask that she give them that training which is the supreme agency to ft them to accomplish the work which is 10 be their ultimate salvation.
 Amid it all let us welcome the mills and the opportunities they bring of up- lifting the poor whites of our State whose l condition was appalling when the mill i men offered them work and wages and | for whom We had done nothing of whose | very existence we seemed uncaring, till ! startled we heard they were crowding | to the factories, dragging even the half | starved babies to get a pttance of that money which meant food and clothes and | shelter for destitute families.
 Prof C. c. Thach in his address to the Alabama Commercial and Industrial As sociation in their recent convention. pointed their attention to the Southern poor whites in the back lands of civili- zation: held down hy all the sad limita- tions of centuries of ignorance, stranded and belated, whose condition stirred our