The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1910-01-28
OUTDOOR LIFE.

were raised on farm, the weakest In
the city. The strength here referred
to is not necessarily physical, but
mental and moral. Why is this SO?
God, in His wisdom, has ordained
that the nearer we are to nature, the
better we are in every respect Hot
close rooms, polluted air, confinement,
produce debility, contagion, sickness
and death. The strength of England
springs from the outdoor life her
people live The weakness of Spain,
comes from the seclusion practiced by
her children. Years ago the Ameri-
can lived i'm the open and was hardy,
moral, fearless individual. Today he
is seeking the walls of the city, and
is becoming weak consumptive, i'm
moral and timid.
And this is true, net only of our
country at large in the East, but even
of Westminster. Our young boys and
men pay little attention to outdoor
sports and exercise, as they have no
place for athletic games. Hence,
many seek diversion in suffocating
rooms, playing pool or in the disease
laden atmosphere of the saloon, drink
ing beer and swapping obscene stories.
This life is neither good for them or
the community. Can't it be changed
lit can be by getting them interested
in outdoor sports.
The recognition of this fundamental
is becoming universal, and every
where cities are providing recreation
grounds for the young. They are wise
in this, because not only the future
men and women, who will govern and
manage their affairs, are benefited by
the hours spent in the sunshine, but
the older ones, who 90 to watch, are
helped thereby. The time spent with
the pure air blowing on you means
heart-beats.
Westminster is backward in this
vital matter as in many other things.
| We pride ourselves on our schools, but
none of them have ground enough for
the boys to play game of ball or even
snow ball one another, and so the
streets are used. We had good
base ball team last year, but playing
was stopped in the midst of the season
because it could not be supported,
on q field at the far end of town. How
many doctors and druggists bills would
have been saved, if it had been kept
up until the last Of September ?
And isn't it shame that town of
this size, with all the natural and arti-
fetal advantages it possesses, a seat
of learning and philanthropy, should
have so neglected it's own? 1t has no
doubt greatly aided the moral up-lift
OF many communities and individuals
but has complacently ignored the
cries for good deeds at it's doors ?
For Westminster to be without an
athletic field, place where the young
Of the town can 20 for diversion and
amusement, instead OF to the saloon
is disgrace.
Why can't some of cur good people
see this, and provide the young peo-
pie with an opportunity to be better
morally and physically? Help them
before you do the heather In China
and India. Supply a place, where
both young and old can go, and will
go out into the open, breathing Gods
pure air, and all will live longer and
better lives
Do you know, you people who are
II interested from an unselfish motive in
the selfish plans of Mr.. Anderson
that the greatest enemy of the saloon
i athletics ? DO rou know, that q
boy can not play base ball Oh take part
In any violent game well, and at the
same time drink whisky i? Oh, why
then do you not start now, and see
that some athletic field near the heart
of the city * set aside for the young
I'd use next summer
u Let us take care o. our young PEG.
Eples!s They are surely worth it. They
are the mothers and fathers of the
future. Be fri sympathy with them