The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-02-27
DIR. ABERCROMBIE SPEAKS
ON THE AMERICAN PERIL

realize that yielding TO the mob is COW
ardly, criminal, traitorous; that it is bet
ter for the lives of many lynchers to
be taken, if necessary. in a successful ef-
fort to enforce the law, than that sin
gle life, even that of the most depraved
criminal, should be sacrificed to the mob.
Oh. for a copious outpouring of the
spirit of honesty and fearlessness in the
execution of the laws of the land! Not
till then will the highest function of gov
eminent, the protection of human life, be
fully established.
Moral Training Needed.
a proper attitude toward lawlessness is
not possible except through the processes
of education. Only through the cultiya-
ton of mind and heart can a people be
advanced in civilization and prepared for
the highest form of self-government.
This training should begin in the home,
for it is there around the hearthstone
and the mothers chair that lessons of
love, truth, obedience and fidelity can be
best inculcated. The homes of the land
should be the birthplaces of that incor-
ruptible character, that stalwart patriot
ism, and that unfailing courage, so neces-
sary in governments where the people
rule.
But the home is failing in this important
duty. The father is engaged too siren
to perform the duties of fatherhood; the
mother is too busy in the equally strenu-
Gus social life to meet the responsibilities
Of motherhood.
1t is obvious that under existing con-
ditions we cannot look to the home for
the training which will prepare adequate
" for citizenship. The undisciplined
child grows into the lawless citizen The
lawless citizen is the liar, the swindler
he Of he tor T0bhnr.
ravisher. the lyncher, the murderer
Can this training be given by the
church? Is the church giving it? While
I have an abiding faith in the efficacy
of the work of the church, l see little
hope for speedy and adequate relief from
that source, since only small minority
of the people are reached and they only
one hour per week
The Sunday school is a great institu-
ton, is performing a noble service, and
is one of the most elevating of agencies,
but who will assert that it is providing
the necessary moral training for all the
people?
What about the press? Newspapers
WELD a mighty influence and that in
fuence is usually in the right direction.
The press is a great educator and is pow
erful in its advocacy of the supreme i'm
portance of law and order; but it does
not reach adequately the citizen at the
most impressionable age.
Public School Only Hope.
So, for an effective check upon law
lessness, we must look to something be-
sides the agencies mentioned. What is
that something? 1t is the school, To the
school, especially the public school, must
we look. Upon the teacher in the school
must we rely. 1t is the teachers work
to apply correct thinking and patriotic
acting to the solution of perplexing prob
lens, to erect high ideals and build up
to their full stature, to nourish and di-
rect and preserve the public. knowledge
is power and an educated conscience is
it's only safe guide
The children of the land, rich and
poor, farm and factory, white and col
ored, native and foregn-born, all. must
be taught to obey the golden rule. The
meaning of the command, Thou shalt
not" must be so impressed that it will
never be forgotten or disregarded.
Along with mental and physical devel-
opment must go moral culture. Thou
shalt not lie thou shalt not steal'
thou shalt not kill and all the other
'thou-shalt-nots, must be inculcated so
Systematically, so persistently, SO effec-
lively, that proper regard for the rights
Of others shall become a fixed principle
in the life of every man and woman
Compulsory Education Necessary.
The lawless rich and the anarchistic
poor must be placed upon the same plane
in the administration of justice To that
end preparation for citizenship must be-
gin in infancy and continue through
school life. To that end also every child
must be required to attend school an
adequate length of time.
If it is the states duty to provide
schools. equally is it the states duty to
send its children to the schools. Shall
the state sacrifice the citizen and en-
danger its own stability and effiency
by permitting children, through the neg
lect or cupidity of unnatural parents,
or through the avarice and inhumanity
of grasping corporations, to grow into
manhood and womanhood dwarfed in
body, mind and soul? Such a policy is
suicidal.
AS a remedy then for the evils which
beset us L would prescribe for every
body education of the right kind-edu-
cation of body, mind and conscience, with
special emphasis upon the last mem
toned. To that end I would have gov
eminent Getty, county, state and nationaD
to make the utmost endeavor.
Conclusion.
I would not have you believe me to
be a confirmed pessimist in my views
as to the countrys future l am not
Beyond the storm clouds 1 see sunshine
Great crises are necessary to develop
what is best in a people
Adequate leadership has never failed
to materialize when the country's safety
| has been imperiled. Such leadership is
now preparing for action. Already there
| is noticeable general awakening of
! the public conscience.
We will solve every perplexing problem
| overcome every threatening danger, re-
move every blighting evil; and in that
| great work the teacher will perform not
| the least important part.
Mad Dog Scare.
I,I1cn nnIain Irolar -.