Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1910-04-16

to lay down any rules in discussing
so important subject. I have long
been brought to the conclusion that
all children are frankly and Innocent
ly immoral. The child takes what
he wants if he can get it, not be-
cause ne is an embryonic thief, but
because this is nature; not human
nature, but nature itself and I
think we have found that nature is
seldom altruistic. The normal child
is merely a healthy little animal 20
start with, and we must remember
always that his morals develop, grow
with his growth and strengthen with
his strength, only when he is guided
in the right direction. Therefore,
this being the duty and responsible
ty of the parent and teacher, we
have a right to assume that when
child is immoral after that period OF
care and development that should
have been part of his life, the
trouble must have been not so much
with the child, but with those who
have been responsible for directing
the child; consequently we must put
the responsibility where it belongs
upon the home, the school and the
church. These three great institu-
tions are responsible for the morals
of the child largely; they are re-
sponsible for the direction of the
child. In the home, the school and
the church the child receives that
precept and teaching that is neces-
sary in the development of its char
acter; but 1 have found in my own
experience that this precept and
teaching counts for little unless it is
accompanied by example. This eX-
ample must, of course, be in accord
with the teaching. 1t must be
furnished not only by the parent and
teacher, but also by the citizens of
the community. And I would go
further, and say that it must be
furnished by the community itself,
by the public officials in the commu-
nifty. So it follows that if we are
going to teach morality successfully,
we must take heed. I think, of the
very homely truth expressed by
Mark Twain: eff you would train up
a child in the way it should go-go
that way yourself" Now 1 want TO
urge one or two practical things.
have found in our court work thar
nothing helps more than little talKs
with the children. Sometimes these
talks are better delivered in private;
in fact, 1 should say in most cases.
sometimes with the children all TO-
gether. I should say it is more I'M
nortant to have frequent talks upon
such subjects as concern morals than
to teach grammar, arithmetic OF
geography. 1 have just been ad-
vised that in California they have
passed a law requiring such teaching
in the schools. Among the subjects
I would recommend would be these,
which I have selected at random for
the probationers in our courts, who
report every two weeks when we
have report day, and it opens gen
orally with a talk on a subject like
this: "Our duties to each other,
"The absurdily of hate" Truthful
ness, about quarrelling," Useful
ness and kindness, mercy and chart
ty," Money and manhood" evil
EVIL thoughts, Evil
talk" Jealousy and envy, 81 for
got" "What is success" "The man
who serves the man who makes
money" Public service" "a pure
life"
Children will not tire of these |
if properly presented, but
do not forget that they must be
properly presented. For instance,
upon our duties to each other, I |
might give the topic upon which 1t
is discussed-"S Snitching-when to
SnlLCu anu NnCu llOL " ohitNh' NNN |
boys understand that; they are
aroused at once to a high pitch of |
in nterest.
Now in closing I want to empha-
size this point: That the child is |
moral just in so far as he is strong.
Do not forget that; just in so far as
his character is developed. Character
comes through conscience-do not
forget that-and conscience comes
through the development of the hu-
man heart; and until we reach the
heart of the child, until we can
teach him to do right because it is
right and not for fear of the jail,
we are not going TO have a morally
strong boy. have reached the con-
clnsion that it is a mistake for
mother or a teacher to say to
child: Il will turn you over to the
police" You are more than likely
storing up possibilities of criminal
when you do that; you are basing all
your teaching upon fear, and are