The log cabin Democrat., 1921-07-29

ties are being duped, sold, stung by self-styled' preachers whose iniquitous doctrines are spread in the name of 1 Christ
 The constant demand for more stringent legislation governing our social activities gives abundant evi- dence that there is serious need of social reconstruction. We do not sympathize with all the Blue Laws" programs which have been suggested. | We do see, however, growing con- viction on the part of our people that we are going farther astray socially. Who, except some free thinking prig, would deny that there are tendencies in modern dress which are danger ously suggestive and which can lead to nothing good? Who, in the face of the astounding statistics of ou1 divorce courts, would dare to suggest that that phase of our social life is growing better? The very basis of all our society, our home, is being as sailed with tremendous energy.
 Not long ago I had occasion to check up in a certain daily newspaper the space devoted to various kinds of news. Be it said to our everlasting shame that more space was devoted to the suggestive descriptions of the trial of an adulterous woman whC murdered her adulterous husband. than was given to the approaching inaugural ceremonies of the president of the United States. A little later, I asked a company of people if they were familiar with the Hamon trial, Nearly all of them affirmed that they were. 1 asked them if they had read the inaugural address of the presi- dent Only very few had read it, and only two could give an idea as to what it was about l do not refer to the above in order to attack the daily press, although they must bear their share of the blame.
 Recently I took occasion to check up on another attack which places disredit upon the home. In the "For Rent column of leading daily news paper, I found that nearly three fourths of the houses, apartments and rooms offered specifically forbade children. All of these tendencies which seem to have such a deadly grip upon our thinking and our liv- ing are striking at the vitals of socie- ty. Most of the details toward which blue laws are aimed come well in side this great and fundamental so- cial problem.
 But along with all the veXing pro blems and degrading influences of the reconstruction period, there are some favorable symptoms. The hard times are a blessing to great multi tudes of men and women who were rapidly generating into a generation of reckless spenders. The enforced frugality of the present time is the only hope of sensible economic ar engagement for our nation.
 Another helpful sign is that in pol itics and in religion, men are seeking the truth as never before. Bogus religious and bad politics are being exposed and condemned as never be- fore. Much is yet to be accom- plished along these lines, but the stal- wart rank and file of the American people want the right thing to be done and if shown the way and the truth they will see that right is the order of things.
 Another mark of hope is a heritage
 of the war which makes our people
 utterly unsatisfied to remain in ig-
 norance, The facts brought out by
 the war department in it's eXamina-
 tion of the men for the army brought
 astounding revelations to our nation
 Men learned that knowledge is pow l CT and that ignorance is weakness ] Everywhere there may be seen efforts to rid us of the dread enemy, ignor ; ance.
 : The churches are not to be left ou of the count among the encouraging . signs They are rising to their op portunities as never before. To b : sure, during the past six month , they have not realized fully the pro l grams which they laid out two year ago in the midst of easy credits Bu } we must be reminded of the fac
 that the various religious bodie
 raised last year, far more money 10
 the spread of the gospel than the