The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1905-02-19
THE MOTHERS UNION.

he MI HEX > UNION.
The petition from the Mothers Union
to the city council asking for an ap-
preparation of $3.50 to aid in carrying on
the industrial work for girls, depart
nent of which they have successfully
established in the city and are carrying
ON at their own expense, was read at the
council meeting, Tuesday night, and
quickly acted upon. Not only was the
small appropriation allowed but $1oo in
addition was given. 1t is safe to say
that industrial work for girls will be in
|corporated into the public school system
next fall. The Era Association did the
pioneer work in this line two years ago.
in their petition to the council for an
appropriation of $500 for an industrial
department for girls, in our public
school. And while the appropriation was
not made, though the council was favor
ably disposed in the matter, the way was
paved by the Era for the success that
has crowned the Mothers Union petit
ton. The intelligent and earnest work
Of the wonlen's clubs is a power in every
town, and it is safe to say that what they
determine to do they will accomplish in
time. Obstacles serve but to redouble
their efforts and strengthen their zeal.
TEMPER JUSTICE WITH MERCY.
During the recent bitter weather two
negroes were found walking away, each
with a stick of wood on his shoulder.
They were arrested and jailed Somehow
1t seems to me travesty on justice to
punish these poor wretches for this piece
of petty larceny. Wood could not be
bought for days. The wood yards
could not answer the call upon them and
dropped their receivers to cut off orders
that they could not fill. Justice is not
cold abstraction; it is a great moral
force for the protection of society.
When considered abstractedly and the
Mere letter of the law regarded and not
The spirit Of the law. injustice and not
Justice Is melted out. The man who takes |
a stick of wood when in danger of |
freezing to death, Or loaf OF bread
when starving is no thief. Justice should
always be tempered with mercy 1t was |
Bronson Alcott. the sage OF Concord. |
who said that anything man needs is
his by divine right Alcott was socialre-
former, and his ethics of high thinking
md plain living could not be grated on
he complex life of today He took
what he needed and accorded the same
privilege to others, to take of his album
lance whenever they wanted. only not to
axe more than they wanted. Apropos of
he wood. it is related of Alcott that he
Helped himself to a load of wood on
broken down wagon in front of his
house, while the owner had gone to town
o have the wheel repaired. When ques-
toned about it he said simply: "Provi-
lence remembers ust' The philosophy
# the gentle sage of Concord might not
'roye best in this day and generation,
nut at least one can approach to his high
linking and try to do the right thing.
wen It poor negro steals stick of
wood, Or some rotten cross ties. When
he world reaches the Alcott stage there
will be ne need of soldiers, policemen,
hight watchnen, or bolts, bars and locks.
|
PARISH TEACHERS MEETING.
; In spite of the inclement weather Sat-
arday morning the teachers of the city
chools, and as many from the country {
5 could come, met at the central high |