The Semi-weekly leader. (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1905-1941, 1919-03-29
SOME THOUGHTS ON
LOCAL CONDITIONS
Is ..Let 'er SIide'' the Slogan
or win We Pursue a Sane
Policy.

Dear Leader: seems to be
4 tendency in Brookhaven toward
that liberty. that is Conceived or
tn Rousseau's philosophy "as law
lessness."
Everybody has a right to do as
he pleases' is the slogan. Say
nothin' and saw wood "A live
sheep is better than a dead liOn''
~Don't tell 'em what you think
FStand in if you want to be count
Hed''-are some of the phrases heard
around the corners that are shaping
the lives of embryo men and women
Regardless of the influence of the
church and the school.
Along with this do as you please"
policy there seems to have grown an
almost criminal indifference to high
moral standards and the principles
and proprieties that should control
Individual conduct. You can call a
man a lie or impugn the fair name
of woman and it all seems to be TAX
en- as a matter of course.
Somebody calls this lethargic
state craven cowardice"; but /
choose to name it criminal care-
lessness' lack of sensitiYeness and
personal responsibility dulled by
wrong thinking and low association.
The foundation is growing rotten
and portends disaster. Who shall
change the current and the sodden
log for the sound timber?
So great is the lethargy of the
times that parents appear uncon-
Eseious of the trend Of things and
their sons and daughters are drift
Ing with the tide to God knows
where, while those thoughtIess
young people are either profoundly
ignorant or don't give continen-
tai" what is to become of them or
those with whom they associate.
That's what they say by their. acts.
How many young ladies are there
who think of their influence over the
gentlemen with whom they asso-
Gate?
But am just writing to assure
you, editors of The Leader, that you
have a thoughtful and solicitous
reader in me-one who in the mael-
strom of politics, war and society,
catches the theme you may present
unconsciously to yourself sometimes
1.-THE uplift Of the people and the
truth of being.
Recently, l noted a young soldier
wrote you: ''I have been true to my
self. my family, my dad and my
God. ] have remembered my name
is Kenna; that my country is the U.
s. A. and that have God. / have.
not proved coward nor done that
which would cause you to be asham-
ed The letter was addressed to
the young mans father.
Il wonder how many caught the,
essence OF that lofty sentiment and
responded "Amen!" Would to God
there were more young men like
HanteF Kennas for one can't
d lecp Qllisks. ner Say nathins
when so greatly applaud a senti-i
.ment and a principle like that.
Perhaps have a special reason
for noting this letter. Upon my
desk lies one from a man who passes
as gentleman He has sounded the
depths of infamy as 1t relates to-
home dishonored-virtue despoiled
and life broken-he has made
himself victim Of hell here and
now.
He wrote: II am ashamed of, my
self. have dishonored my name. 1
could wish might change it. have
brought so much of discredit upon
it. 1t pains me to think of my
mother"
Compare this message with the
other, Reader, and let us awake to
the nobility of soul, to the purity of
life and purpose. still with us as is 4
evidenced by young Kenna's letter
and encourage such young men.
AS regards my Introductory re-
marks to this, would say we do not
want to revert to the days of .'pis-
tolls and coffee but we do want to
see a wholesome resentment at as
persions cast upon character and we
want to see a refined young woman
hood inspiring standards of excel
lence upon the young men they are
helping to mar or make.
Everybody hasn't gone to the bad.
Truth and honor and integrity of
character may still be found among
us.
Yours,
q a. a