The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1905-03-24
THE MOTHERS CONGRESS
Session at Washington Ad-
dressed by President.
APpEALSTO HOMELY VIRTUES
Roosevelt's Strong Ideas on
Duty of Parents.

The Mothers Congress is still 10
session ia Washington aud has up to
the present time, discussed all known
subjects that can possibly bear upon
the good Of the family, the state, the
nation, or The cosmos. Designed
originally for the good oil children
and as an aid to Mothers who are
rearing children It has gradually ex-
tended its work to inclnde legislation
on divorce. polygamy, juvenile courts,
purity Of the press, patriotism, COM
pulsory education and a host OF other
more or less alien subjects. The con-
vention in Washington has been
! highly successful both as to numbers
and the amount OF talking done and
there is every reason to believe that
many other societies will be formed
during the next thtee years and many
more subjects for discussion and de-
bate thought of. Four hundred out
of town members have come as dele
gates To the convention and though
there Is model kindergarten and
nursery connected with the Congress
there seems tn be considerable trouble
to scare up enough children to keep 1t
going.
The meetings of the Congress have
been very interesting and the speak
ers have been men of National repu-
tati0n.
The delegates and members of the
Congress are thoroughly satisfied Of
the benefit 10 the world Of their
organization and the least sanguine
person cannot but admit that great
good has been accomplished by the
address of President Roosevelt which
was delivered to the Congress and
about three thousand outsiders on
March 18th. 1t was one OF the most
eloquent and striking speeches that
the President has ever made and was
delivered with no less honesty and
pleasure than he manifested when he
1 took the oath of Office. He omitted
to pay any compliments to the Moth
ers Congress and he specified that
work outside home for women was an
exceptional and deplorable necessity
hut he made an honest and effective
appeal for the homely virtues, for the
cooperation OF parents in the teach.
ing and rearing OF children and for
abolishment Of the modern artificial
social and pseudo-intellectnal life of
women. He paid glowing tribute
to Mothers as Mothers (not as club
delegates or presidents) saying, "Your
duty is hard, your responsibility
great but greatest OF all your reward.
do not pity you in the least. On
the contrary feel respect and admir-.
alton for you.
His address was plea for honest
men, vlrtuous women. parents who
assumed with pleasure the responsi.
biliUes and cares Of children and TO,
happy homes built and maintained
for the good Of the children.
The speech is unique as the advic,
of Chief Executive but that it i:
one Of the themes nearest the Presi
dents heart no one can doubt. 1t Il
subject upon which he has just te
gun and 1t Is probable that we shall
hear much Of 1t during the next fou
years and read books upon 1t when ht
Is no longer President. The Presi
dent has said himself that il he coulG
awaken a more general interest 10 th,
influence of the parent on the child
set fashion for parenthood, or en-
courage an appreciation of the inviol
ability of the home he would fee
that he had accomplished more TO
the good Of his country than he coult
ever effect through Congress, treatie
war or diplomacy. Washington Let
ter.