The daily commonwealth. (Greenwood, Leflore Co., Miss.) 1916-1919, 1917-02-20
EN- COURAGE HEALTHY ADJUSTMENTS.

The writer of this article remembers, when
boy, reading a book which treated of the Gus
toms of the people during the days Of the old New
England Puritans.
The feature of the books that produced tn,
most impression was the seemingly utter absence
of amusements among the children of that day
And we remember wondering if those sober littl,
children even smiled, and if they really enjoyed
comm lifting to memory Psalms by the yard.
We should encourage healthy amusements, ii
old as well as in the young.
Fun-pure, unadulterated, c~are-free enjoy
ment, unhampered by thought of anything ser.
%ious--is as necessary to the right development OF
the human animal as is daylight to the plant
We qualify it only by adding "in moderation"
Were you ever on a large stock farm, where
numbers of colts were herded in a pasture? II
so, you have noticed that very little of their
time seemed to be given to the serious problem
of cropping grass. When they were not engaged
in games of romps, teasing each other, they were
p~rowling over the field, investigating every nook
and corner. Their restlessness and curiosity were
never satisfied.
Young people-and many older ones, too-are
just like those colts. Life is not a serious problem
to them. That comes only in later years. They
know not, as yet, that life holds for
them any serious problems to be solved.
In fact, they couldn't understand them if con-
fronted with them.
Since, then, our young people WILL have
amusements, what are we of this town doing
about it? Are we furnishing it for them, or are
we simply permitting them to seek such as they
can find?
We should keep in mind the fact that just
as they are incapable of ~grasping the serious
side Of life, so are they incapable of Judging the
merits or dement's Of their amusements.
It is our duty as guardians of the morals Of
the community to see that our young people are
not only kept free from the WRONG amuse-
ments, but are FURNISHED with the RIGHT
kind.
An up-to-date opera house or CLEAN moving
picture show is a modern necessity in every town.
A frst-class gymnasium, ball park, etc., are es-
sential to the right development of our young
people. We have these.
The churches and parents are charged with
the moral development of our children. The
schools are held accountable for their mentality
and educational qualifications.
But amusement alone can develop that physi-
que which will insure success in the commercial
pursuits of later life, and which will supply the
health that leads to ripeness Of age.
Study this subject over carefully, you mothers
and fathers. Consider the buoyant spirits and
overlooking energies of your boys and girls, and
recognize the plain truth that they MUST have
an outlet. Then ask yourself the question: "Are
we furnishing them SAFE and HARMLESS
means Of diversion"
Never fear but they can find amusement in
plenty if we turn them loose to hunt for it. They'll
find it, and it may suit them, but will the QUAIL
ITY suit us?
It would be well for US to pause in the chase
of the dollar long enough to make sure that the
young people of our community have a sufficiency
of SANE and HEALTHY amusement.
We spend thousands in fitting them to chase
the dollar. It were better if we spent a portion
of those thousands In tiding them over the period
of their lives when they are most liable to con-
tract habits that will UNFIT them for ALL of
life.
Our boys and girls will be what WE make
them-or permit them to make Of themselves.
We are not a bit fippant when we express the
ardent hope that the federal investigation of the
high cost of living doesn't pave the way for yet
another boost.