The professional world. (Columbia, Mo.) 1901-192?, 1902-02-14

A few days since we read an
article from one of the best known
and most successful journalists
in Missouri, a mar whom we great
ly admire for his sterling qualities
of mind and heart, and whose ar
ticles we usually read with great
pleasure, but in this last case we
confess to a feeling of earnest
regret. The article was practically
in laudation of a student at the
State University, who, being for
hidden by his father to play foot.
ball on pain of being thrown on
his own resources, deliberately
chose the latter, and repudiating
the advice and protest of his par
ents, he proceeded to make his own
way by various devices and I'M
finching industry, so that finally
he was not only equal to the task
of maintaining himself, but has
even established a business enter
prise which is eminently success
full.
We do not understand the pur-
pose of the writer, but unques-
tionably, the moral and the prac-
teal influence is to teach that it is
better for a young man to play
football despite the wishes and
prayers of those who have watched
over him from helpless infancy,
and who have patiently cared for
him even to the portals of man
hood, than to yield his wish and
Judgment to theirs in this one
matter of mere amusement. Incl
dentally, also, the effect is to show
that a boy who has the hardihood
to disobey his parents under such
circumstances, has a high and COM
handing quality of manhood such
as is to be envied and copied by
others. 1t also teaches, in~ferential-
ly, that success is the principal
thing in life, and that the primary
definition of success is the ability
} to earn money.
We do not know the parties; do
not now recall the name; have no
9 idea whether the parents are or
are not church people nor can we
even guess at the degree of moral
=, senslbillty possessed by them, so
as to measure ever approximately
the amount of their suffering over
the disobedience of ii son to whom
they had given all and proposed to
give all. We are inclined to the
belief that the father is a sensible
:, man and a conference.-the fact
, that he was opposed to football is
l a strong argument in that direc.
3 ton. But whatever the parents OF
$ however poor their judgment, they
, were in line with very many OF
. the best people in their position in
e this matter, and even had they
. been lacking in much that should
command respect 9nd love, they
. were his parents and they should
have been obeyed, especially as al.
S the princip involved vas on the
side of obedience, and nothing
$ sa ; ,ccJnation on the other. Who
ever treats his parents with con
n tempt, is not likely to have mucf
/ regard for others, if they in any
t wise oppose his interest OF plea
. sure.
S 1t was very damaging in its in
e fuence on other students. Ever
n if every disobedient son could ant
! did make a living, he would be un
worthy in the precise measure o
% his disobedience, but in fact, tn
n d~isobedient and troublesome boy
are usually the ones who do no
succeed, and who are a tax on tn
hearts and hands of their parent
for years, if not forever.
:, 1t was very unfortunate for tn
q school, for parents will not b
anxious to send their boys wher
k such offenses are condOned, an
. where the way is made easy t