New Iberia enterprise and independent observer. (New Iberia, La.) 1902-1944, 1919-06-07
BOY SCOUT MOVEMENT.

The week beginning Sunday, June otn
will be devoted throughout the United
States to awakening an interest in the
Boy Scouts movement, giving an oppor-
tuuity to all citizens to contribute to this
great cause by enlisting with a contribu-
ton of at least one dollar. The quota
allotted to New Iberia is not very great,
but the demand for keen interest in this
movement is as great as is the necessity
of aiding in the character building OF the
future citizens of the country.
The life of each boy in the community
bears some relation to the lives of all Of
the other boys. 1t is only by a great
concert Of action that at least the greater
proportion of the boys in each community
can be directed to such course as will give
them the best opportunity for physical,
mental and moral development If the
citizens of this community were really
to awaken themselves to the impor lance
of protecting child life from the many
evil influences which are manifestly lead
ing it astray, at least in large proportion
of youths, and were to exert their moral
influence to bring about the correction
of prevailing evils, little doubt is there
but that the uplift not only would be ap .
parent at once, but would gradually
permeate and become part of the life OF
the community. No matter how eau
tious may be parental care in individual
cases, and no matter what attention is
given to the direction of the youthful en-
ergies under the roof of good home, it
is next to impossible to supply all of the
means which will keep the youths so en-
gagged as not only to insure their physical
development, but that most essential re-
quirement, the up building of good charac-
ter. There are always evil influences ready
to meet any endeavor to destroy the best
efforts put forth by parents and teachers.
The Boy Scout movement unites, under
the leadership Of some morally and ply
sically equipped mature leader, boys into
troops, and uses up their leisure time in
equipping them, through agreeable and
inviting pursuits, for the responsibilities
of citizenship.
We can best outline the purposes by
quoting from the official magazine the fol-
lowing: Character building is the real
objective of the Boy Scouts movement.
Every step in the scouting program is but
means 10 this end. The variety of in@
terest, as we'll az the practical knowledge
insured by the tercerfoot, second class
and first class tests are. after ~, but .
means for holding ths - of the bon,
pledged to ths2as a79 Nv, Hndx;
81 = aesaeznh 3 a ~
,acts 4 Aev4lot, ,ksn4 ~ y u! 4
scheme Of merit badges i prlaSliIy s9oes
the same purpose. The form Of troop or :
ganization, the Scout Master and his as
sistants, the local council, and indeed the
national council and all of its officers, are
also a means to this end. This rharacte:
building manifests itself in health, effici>
ency, chivalry, loyalty, patriotism, and
good citizenship"
The oath taken by the Scout bears its
own message: "On my honor ! will do
my best--tirst, to do my duty to God and
my country and to obey the Scout law
second, to help other people at all times;
third, to keep myself physically strong,
mentally awake and morally straight"
It has been very wisely recognized that
The Church and the school have the
greatest influence, with the home, ial
character building. To that end, the na-
tional organzation recommends the or
ganization of troops in connection with
churches and schools. By that means
churches of each denomination having
The guidance of youths within their in
1uence, may gather within troop organi-
Eations their own communicants, and thus
have the influence of church and school
reach out more effectively in making use
If the very energies of youth in the up
building of good character.
An appeal is made to all persons to give
thought to the importance of this move
ment as of the greatest need in up
building the coming citizenship of this
country 50 that it may be Of men fit|
physically, intellectually and morally.
A contribution of one dollars, the enroll
nent in the national membership, and the
Of an interest in the local
which will gather in the
1ouths Of this community will be the evi-
lence Of your interest in the cause.
WALTER BURKE,
De~s.h (kes~~aa