The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1909-04-27
VOX POPULI.
OPTIMISTIC Y. Nj. c. A. IN
PESSIMISTIC PENSACOLA.

Editor Pensacola Journal:
The visitor to the Y. NJ. G.. A. clos
ing exhibition presented on the 16t1
and 18th of this month who was not
impressed with the wonderful power
for good that is manifestly present In
the work being carried on by the local
branch must indeed be stoical and of
pessimistic temperament. We are re-
1Uctant in believing that the attend
ance upon these performances was a
criterion of the attitude of Pensacola
mothers and fathers towards the
grand work the Y. NJ. G. A. is conduct
ing, but rather that they do not fully
appreciate the benefit accruing from
the possession of a sound mind in a
sound body attainable through the
systematic training in a gymnasium
under an efficient tUtelage.
In these days of reforms and reform
ers we are confused by the deluge of
'isms" calculated to perfect the body
polite and body social promulgated,
usually by long haired men and short
hirsute-appendaged women whose
Chief ornaments are blue goggles and
a sanctimonious countenance.
But is it too much TO asesrt that
the wholesome atmosphere emanating
from the spacious reading room, game
rooms and gymnasium of the Y. NJ. c.
A. halls Of'the land are bearing abroad
the germs OF reformation that must
bring about a reclamation of the rap
idly deteriorating American nation?
DeteriOrating? Yes. Reflect a mo-
ment upon our mode of living artifi-
ciaI lives in cOngeSted centers of civil
lization-oUr unhygienic houses Cof the
masses) Our bleached and bOlted food
stuffs-our false standards of life in
morals and religious beliefs-all tend
to dwarf US in body and brain and
with snriveling of mentality comes
deterioration.
Embraced within the uplifting work
of the Y. NJ. G. A lies latent the solu-
tiOn of the most vital, live question
before the people to-day-the liquor
evil. This is not difficult to conceive
after looking upon the healthy, clean
youths WHO participated in the exhi-
bitiOn. With rudy health from gym
naSium work and access to innocent
games and helpful books these boys
testify to the truth or the saying "A
man is a creature of environment"
With an environment such as this
there is no inclination to seek recrea-
ton or stimulation via the saloon
route. With the growth of this spirit,
must come the sure determination OF
the NHIShGN reign luTOuSu the law VI
the survival of the fitteSt
The local branch of the Y. NJ c. A.
has taken on a new life and under the
efficient conduct of Messrs. Bradford
and Sheriff., the inimitable Hopper and
reSOurceful Gilmore it bids fair to be-
come a force and determining factor
in PensacOla's progress towards great
ness. From an economic standpoint
If from no other, parents should en-
courage their boys 70 affiliate with
the Y. NJ. c. A. as being the best med
ium 10 supplement the home training
in gentlemanly virtues extant- The
present average attendance of pupils
in the several departments is about
should be nine hundred
The playground work recently insti-
tuted by the Y NJ. c. a. in the in
terest of the public schools is a fea-
ture that cannot be too strongly en-
phasized. To teach children to play"
may sound MarceliniSh TO the unthink
ing. If the manufacture of mud-pies
and cutting of paper dolls were in
Guided IN the curriculum it would be