The San Francisco call., 1910-09-11

" ably a college-bred man, was
~ pleased 10 say or an article OF
mine a while ago: Marion Har-
land talks straight from the shoulder"
IN our school days rhetoric teachers
told US how 70 test the correctness Of
metaphor or other figure of speech. We
must make mental picture OF the same
and look at Il from all sides. A sketch
OF my reviewers figure suggests a ludi-
crous conformation Of the tongue that
might annoy a thin-skinned author.
I laughed when I read the luckless
phrase. In writing the caption OF this
paper I an disposed TO modify my judg-
rnent. Tor II 10 talk straight from the
shoulder signifies directness Of aim and
weight Of blow. I would strive after
both now.
OF making societies there is practically
no end IN this age Of organization. One
weary and witty writer says we ARE
ciubbed TO death" Where two or three
men or women are gathered together
and discover that they are OF one mind
with regard TO any one subject, they
forthwith 90 into the organization Of an
association. or club. or a society, for
maintaining and promulgating that opin-
ion. The dues payable annually to the
organizations 10 which I have person
ally been asked TO Join would materially
decrease my income. -
Yet am here and now. being in the
possession Of a sane and honest mind,
proposing TO form yet another band Tor
mutual Improvement and the general
good Of society. 1 call II The Society
for the Prevention OF Cruelty 10 Par
ents" and I am talking straight from
. q have
infancy and childhood so Tar Dehlno
them that they have forgotten more
than they -recollect Of an era Of helpless
Before dealing a single stroke 1 would
make one thing clear: i nave no - m
pathy with nor DO I hold a brief for him
or her who claims the child's duty ana
affection because the parent has prougnt
him up 10 mans estate IN deceney ana
comfort, providing him with Lodgings,
food and clothing. such as befltted the
fathers or mothers means. The law
demands these Of him. II ne neglects 10
make his offspring comfortable, the
strong. arm OF legal autnoflty @9ulo
oblige him 10 perform the duty. Furthef-
more IN fulfilling this obligation the
parent does not compensate TO his child
for the possible injury he has done IN
forcing him into a world the baby never
sought 10 enter. The father or mother
who reminds his or her children OF the
money expended and the work done for
them during their homage degrades the
high and holy office OF parenthood-
On the other hand all that is done
for our offspring over and beyond
what the law and nature exact does
not constitute a sacred lien upon con-
science and affection. When l have
educated my son 10 the best OF my
ability, and fitted him TO support him.
self upon gaining his majority, l have
done what IL was my duty TO DO.
Nothing more and nothing less. For
the nurnberless Offices and sacrifices,
dictated and Informed by love which
puts the good Of the beloved one far
In advance OF personal gain; for the
tenderness that so far outruns all
sense of duty in the mother heart
that she resents the thought Of OBJ
ligation to perform what is her chief
Joy in life; for the brooding fondness
which follows the man as constantly
and soIicitously as il guarded the
lad-for these and a thousand uneov-
enanted blessings and benefits con-
ferred, you. the "grown-up child'-be
YOU man or woman-are deep in debt
to your mother and your father.