The daily star-mirror. (Moscow, Idaho) 1911-1939, 1913-12-19
FUTURE OF RACE
In PARENTS HANDS
CHILDREN MUST BE TAUGHT
GRADUALLY ON THE FUNCTIONS
OF THEIR BODY.
Last of Modern Eugenic Letters by
Lady Cook Gives Valuable
Information.
BY Lady Cook.
(Nee Tennessee Claflin)

(Written for the United Press)
NEW YORK, Dec. 19.-Parents may
be assured that the welfare of their
children and the future of the race lie
to a large extent in their hands. Their
actions and habits and beliefs will
govern those to come. If they fail, so
will the others. If they do their duty
wisely, the children will follow their
example. Parents not only mould their
own children but their children's chill
Idren to many generations. 1t therefore
is the first duty of parents to strive
diligently, earnestly and heartily to de-
wise the best methods of inStructing
their children in the care of their
bodies and the proper and God-given
uses of it's functions. Naturally, one
system of instruction would not do for
all children, for some children mature
more quickly than others. The teach
er of spelling or algebra has to grade
the children so that the children more
advanced, or quicker to grasp, will not
be retarded by those who are slow to
learn. So should the teacher of eu-
genics exercise discretion in instruct
ing the child After the age of ten or
twelve the full detail of the wonders
of our conception and growth should
be taught.
If all parents followed this method it |
would do more to stamp out evils |
among children of tender years, and the |
opportunities for older children taking |
advantage of younger ones than any |
other thing. Let a child be mystified |
and it will be curious. Adopt an atti-
tide of mystery and refusal to explain,
and the child will gain from other
self, the knowledge which the parent
wrongly withholds. Ignorance of eu-
genie truths, 1 am happy to say does
not always result in loss of virtue. In
fact, it is an astounding fact that there
is as much virtue in the world as there
is, considering the eugenic ignorance
of the majority of the children and
youths. But bringing child up to ma
turity without loss of virtue is not all
of a parents duty The parent is far
from blameless if the son or daughter
after marriage makes the mistake so
frequent in the life of the young mar
ried couple-mistakes that are due
solely to ignorance of the most impor-
tant matters, and mistakes which some
times result in so much misery and so
many broken marriage ties.
The human passions have been found
to be terrible forces, like steam or fire,
and instead of studying them in order
to regulate them in accordance with
their own true laws and their adapta-
ton to the worlds well-being, they
have been feared merely, fought down,
and suppressed. There can be no ar
gument sensibly made against full and
complete instructions for young peo-
pie about to be married. When one
enters into business as an employee
or a partner he first makes study OF
hat business. And yet how few are the
young couples who are going into a
life partnership in the business of life
and souls, who know the details of the
business" 1t is either that their par
snts do not realize what this ignorance
nay cost, or that the parents are too
replete with that false,
If criminal. BY all means, the couple