The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1918-01-18
A Lyceun1 Course
for Next Year +?

Miss Martin, a representative of one
of the Lyceum bureaus, of Chicago,
has been in Pennington this week,
making arrangements with the man
agement of the Monarch for Ly-
ceum course for Pennington for next
winter. This is the same bureau and
the same representative who placed
the present seasons splendid course,
and so far during the season it is the
best and most satisfactory course the
city has ever had, in the opinion of
many patrons and devotees of the
Lyceum arts.
1t is to be hoped that the Monarch
management will be able to feel as
sured Of the necessary support to
warrant their backing q course for
next season, because while the lyce-
um and chautauqua have always been
a mighty force in community devel-
opment, there is still greater need for
it in time of war. Indicative of this
;need during the period of the war, is
| the expression of President Wilson
upon the subject. Writing to Monta-
vile Flowers, president of the Inter-
national Lyceum and Chautauqua As
sociation (the national organization
of talent and committeeman, repre-
sentatives and managers) the Presi-
dent said: "Let me express the hope
that you will let no encouragement
weaken your activities, and that the
people will not fail in the support of
a patriotic institution that may be
said to be an integral part of the ma
tional defense"
A local member of the International
Lyceum Association has a copy of
President Wilson's letter, which fol-
lows, in full:
White House, Washington, Dec. Ia.
1917.
My Dear Mr.. Flowers: 1t has been
on my mind for some time to thank
your organization for the very real
help it has given to America in the
struggle that is concerned with ev-
cry fundamental element of national
life. Your speakers, going from
community to community, meeting
people in the friendly spirit engen-
dered by years of intimate and under
standing contact, have been effective
messengers for the delivery and inter-
probation of democracy's meaning
and imperative needs. The work that
the Chautauqua is doing has not lost
Importance because of war, but rath-
er has gained new opportunities for
service.
Let me express the hope that you
will let no discouragement weaken
your activities, and that the people
will not fail in the support of a pa
triotic institution that may be said
10 be an integral part OF the national
defense. ~
| i. Cordially and sincerely yours,
WOODROW WILSON.
The President, as well as every
other patriotic individual, organiza-
tion and class of people, recognizes
the vital need in community life for
sane and uplifting amusement, HARM
less diversion and the mental stimu-
lus which results from the visits of
the Lyceum and Chautauqua folks,
with their. wisdom, their songs and
good music, messages of cheer, hope,
optimism, good will and the stimu-
lating "boosting" power of their
trained speakers of broad culture and
life experience. Nobody will deny
that Pennington is better town,
mentally, morally, socially and from
business standpoint because for sew
eral years it has been in the ranks of
the enlightened communities which
have Chautauqua and Lyceum cours-
es. There is something wrong with
community which does not. And
as rule it doesn't take long to find
out just what is wrong. The commun-
tiles which will not support the Chau-
tauqua and Lyceum are quickly seen
| TO be communities where the trough
neck" element rules, where cheap
street fairs and carnivals, cheaper and
even more questionable kinds of
amusements are welcomed with open
arms, and where lawlessness and dis
order go hand in hand with low think
ing, lower pleasure, and the very low
est kind of community spirit.
The work the Chautauqua and Ly-
ceum is doing has proven so impor-
tant, so welcome, so thoroughly ap-
preciated by the intelligent element
in thousands and thousands of COM
munities, that the disorganization and
disruption of almost all kinds of bus
mess by war conditions has scarcely
touched it. Firm and sound it stands,
a tribute to the good sense and intel
ligence of the American people, and
as always, reliable index of the cul-
ture and enlightenment of a commun-
ity.