The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-02-07
"SAFETY FlRST"--FOR OUR GIRLS

picture shows, or on auto mobile rides.
and violate recklessly the moral law.
bringing open shame to some. aud
moral ruin to all.
This question is absolutely fuuda %
mental and 1t demands prompt and
plain speech: first, by fathers and
mothers; second. by pastors and Sun
day school teachers: third bv public
school teachers and all social work
erS; fourth, by the press. both secular
and religious No greater calamity
can befall cur country than the
lowering Of the moral standards
governing the relations existing be-
tween our young men and our young
women, The tremendous import
ance of this question is emphasized
by the open letter which has Just
been written by Mrs Woodrow Will
son and DIR. Anna Howard Shaw to
the women OF the allied countries.
which letter will he distributed to
American diplomats in those coun-
tries
This letter should be read In every
church and Sunday school In our
country. and indeed. In every public
school containing girls In their teens,
and should be read in NIL the camps
throughout the United States
The letter follows:
Dear friends. The unpara lieled
struggle for democracy and perma~
ueut peace which binds our nation in
ca operative service is shared nv men
and women alike. In the yearning
OF the mother heart of the world for
the highest moral and spiritual wei
Ffare of children there is a deeper
and more subtle bond which makes
ali women akin
"out OF the mutual agony and love
OF the mothers of America, this mes
sage Is sent to our allied sisters in
Europe faithfully pledgtng our in
terest and cooperation in the pro-
lection o. our sons and daughters
at this time OF unequaled temptation
and danger.
Tn all our countries mothers are
willing and proud to give their sons
to defend the ideals which undsrlis
this supreme sacrifice which their gov
eminent demands Of them ard to ac-
cept with fortitude and ca'mnesS their
death. But thev shrink from the
greater sorrow which comes from tho
loss OF moral abre that robs them Of
health and manly vigor.
1T is no wonder that their hearts
fail them when they realize the temp
tations which beset their sons, re
moved from homes and family ties
living the unnatural life OF the camp
exposed TO the excitement and fierce
/ passions of conflict, all of which I'm
( pair their powers to resist temptations
ithat under happier and more health.
! ful circumstances would easily be con.
quered.
I The same is true or their daugh
/ tiers. who are thrust out Of the horut
into world service with the glamour
OF war and emotional phases of SO
ciety which war tends to foster and
which lead TO the breaking down OF
restraints that have hitherto been
their safeguard.
These abnormal conditions place
upon all women tremendous RESPONSE
bilities, ana urge the closest union In
an effort TO conserve the moral forces
OF society, 10 protect our young women
and men that they may DO kept pure
and Chivalrous. so that after the con.
fiict Is ended we may look with hope
10 the future home life Ct our peo-
pics for that health of body and mind
that purity and nobility Of individual
government which alone can insure
permanent peace and prosperity to
any nation.
IT we fail in this then have our
struggles and sacrifices been in vain
and future generations will rightly
charge the women Of our time with
failure to meet the great responsible
lily which must always rest with the
mothers OF the race"
Or. Shaw also has written to the
queen of Italy the eama letter she
wrote to the queen OF Belgium, which
previously has been published.