Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-03-14

at the foundation of all national happiness
and greatness, shall rise up and call her
blessed
The President spoke for forty minutes.
When he concluded he bade goodbye to
those on the platform, including Mrs
Schoff, Mrs. Theodore Birney, Mrs. Arthur
\. Birney, Senator and Mrs. Dubois. Mrs.
Mears. Mrs. Grice and DR.. Bristol, and i'm
mediatey left amid an ovation.
Previous to the arrival of President
Roosevelt the national president of the
mothers congress, Mrs. Frederick Schoff.
delivered address on the Children of
the Nation" Mrs. Schoff said in part:
Mrs. Frederic Schoff's Address.
at is a significant and hopeful sign that
in an age when materialiSm and CONNER
cialism seem to be the dominant forces that
bring men together into the organization Of
great trusts that the greatest trust of all
should have had it's birth here in Washing
ton eight years ago, when the national con-
gress of mothers was organized. l may well
say the greatest trust, for it was given by
God himself. and the partners in that trust
are the mothers and the fathers of the chill
dren.
1.-THE congress of mothers is an organiza-
ton animated by one purpose. It's confer
ences are for the study and consideration of
the needs of children. Its work to use the
knowledge thus gained in practical lines of
work to improve the opportunities for whole
some growth of childhood
THE Congress of the United States has
devoted months to the consideration of
treaties, of tariff, of statehood
Has it spent even hours in considering
the needs of the children of the nation?
"A nations richest asset Is its citizens,
and today all over the land are the little
children unprotected, uncOnsidered they
would be if the Importance of the subject
were understood
mot as theorists, but as mothers, with
the mother heart developed, do we meet,
wi
brought, with the love and insight into chill
dren's needs. and firm and abiding faith
that in caring for Gods little ones we are
doing the most vital work of the world.
1T is but eight years since the first con-
greSS of mothers was called together by our
beloved founder, Mrs. Theodore w. Birney,
and her co-worker, Mrs. Phoebe A. Hearst
The inspiration of that meeting will never
die. Its results have been felt throughout
the world. In thousands of homes little
children's lives have been happier and bet
ter because of that congress and its results.
Thousands, yes, hundreds of thousands,
of parents have been led to higher con-
ception of their duty TO the children Other
organizations have caught the inspiration of
work for childhood and have given not only
sympathy but active help in bringing about
better conditions. States have been aroused
to their duty TO the children, and even the
Senate of the United States and the Presi-
dent have listened and needed the request
of the mothers on behalf of the children.
WOlk OF the congress.
wherever children are there is the
field for the work the congress is doing
and TO accomplish the purposes for which
we stand.
The differences of sectarianism have
driven the Bible from the school in many
states, yet all sects recognize the i'm
portance of moral training.
"A part of the training in the public
schools should be a clear explanation of
the government of the United States and
of the duty of every citizen to take
intelligent part in making it good
To give the children high ideals is the
most valuable thing they can receive.
The public schools deserve the best that
can be given them. They deserve the in
terest and support of every organization
of the national congress of mothers, be-
cause in no other way can SO much be
done for the uplift of the children as
through the public schools.
THE introduction of manual training
and domestic science into all schools is
to be urged
Parents Associations.
'.There is yst one thing more that must
be done to bring the school system to its
highest possibilities, and that is to bring
together the parents and teachers, and un-
III the parents association part of
every school the children will not progress
as rapidly as they may.
1.-The greatest work that can he done for
the children of the nation is to organize
parents associations in every school, with
the purpose of study of all questions re-
lating to child and home.
Purity, sincerity, honesty, courage, are
the fruits of lessons given in childhood,
when character is forming. Without such
lessons one can not look for a high type
of citizenship or a high quality of home.
"a true and high conception of marriage
is the foundation of every strong home
center 1t must be given to the young peo-
pie IL the children are to have the heritage
and care they require.
1.-THE problem of the child I'm the cities Is
one that needs earnest attention, as munc-
ipal governments have made no provision
for the junior citizens comfort and happi-
ness. They form q large part of the pop
ulati0n. but without ability to voice. their
needs they are ignored. Fairgrounds nu-