The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1917-09-04
ARE MORALS OEcAYiNG7


some of the optimists who have been
saying that the world grows better. 1t
is possible to predict, with some rea-
son. that the world itself will produce
vast and beneficial changes and Yet
after all. this is mere speculation.
None of us knows.
1t seems TO us that much vital in
tercst may be found in the conclusion
of the national morals committee OF
the American Federation of Catholic
Societies in a report at a recent con-
vention. That, in a word, is that the
United states is rapidly turning to-
ward paganism and its corrupt vices.
The social stability of the country is
being wrecked: the family life of
the nation is in danger. Virtue, Doth
public and private, has become deca-
dent
The basis for the statement that
the country is turning from religion
to paganism is the Protestant compila-
ton OF statistics contained in the 1915
year book of the Federated Council of
Churches of Christ. It is there report
ed that the number Of church COM
municants at the time was 4o,l6o,'9
1t is estimated that more than 10000
900 people have no church connection
whatever.
The principal cause of this condition,
according TO the morals committee of
the Federation of Catholic Societies, is
the elimination OF God in the education
of our children. 1t follows, naturally
then, that God win be shut out from
the minds of these children when they
have grown to maturity.
More than 100000 divorces have
been granted in this country, and the
estimated number for the current year
is 100000. That. indeed, is a discour-
aging feature in the home life of the
nation. The remedy for it. it seems
to us, would be a national divorce law
with strict requirements although
laws are Of little value where the home
training is wrong. We quite indorse
the recommendation that there should
be no recognition Of the common law
marriage whatever and that people
dwelling together under those condi-
lions should come within the provision
Of the criminal acts.
There is another feature of this re-
port that comes close to our homes in
Missoula. That is the conclusion that
the picture play, possessing such vast
possibilities OF good, has today become
a sorruptcr Of juvenile morals.
cd we do not know. II is certain that
a very large percentage of these plays
| deal with crime and that We do not
believe, is good for children. 1t is
| estimated that there is a daily attend
ance of 25.ooO.0oO at picture shows
| and that from twenty-five to fifty per
cent of this attendance is made up of
children We dare say that in Missoula
many mothers have seen picture plays
! which they would not regard as suit
able for the entertainment of their
| children. The remedy for this is plain
that is censorship. II Is used to
very gratifying results in many cities
and it is a matter in which mothers
should take special interest
The bcttcrment of morals can begin
with the home training, but conditions
| in each community are what the peo-
pie make them. If the morals of Mis-
soula az a community, are not the best
ii is because the people are indiffer-
rnt. great deal may be accom-
plished by cooperation, If the people
are interested. A report of an organ
ization. so important as the American
Federation of Catholic Societies, must
not be regarded with anything but the
pravest attention. With the country
AT war our attention is likely to be
distracted from the things at home.
If this report will aid in arousing our
people to the great necessity of future
protection of morals of our Youngsters.
: much good will have been accom-
plished.