Evening journal., 1921-03-09

men from taking personal affront
at his remarks.
The resolution which was given
out by the preachers committee
follows:
In a discussion in a recent ses-
sion of the City School Board, in con-
nection with the introduction OF GER
tain musical instruments in the
schools, a Mr. Oscar c. Draper,
member of the school board, is re-
ported to have made the following
remarks;
II see no harm in the children
having music to march by or to ex-
ercise with. What harm is there in
waltz or a few hops and occa-
sional jumps? / see no harm in these
steps
80 far so good, but the gentle
man is reported to have said in ad
dition to the above remarks: I see
no harm in these steps, and it is a
shame that they have to be stopped
as a result Of a desire OF a class Of
fanatics. They, these fanatics. COM
planned several days ago that they
object to their children being taught
TO dance, and as a result these
rhythmic exercises have temporarily
been stopped by Mr. Scott Con-
cerning which we beg leave to say;
First, that the gentleman referred
to must have a lively imagination,
for in one breath he characterizes
certain movements as a march and
exercise, and in the next It grows
into a waltz, few hops and occa-
sional jumps Quite a jumble of
words and ideas Since when did a
march become a waltz, a hop. a
Jump We venture to suggest that
this irate gentleman give a little
careful heed to his language. espe-
cially when he essays TO arraign
others for having opinions Of their
own. and because those others dare
differ in opinion with the member
Of the school board aforesaid.
Next, we are to conclude that be-
cause this liberal minded gentleman
can say, see no harm in these
steps, hence 1t is a shame that a
class Of fatnatics stop these rhythmic
exercises In other words, this mem
Der of the school board gives his
opinion concerning certain matters
and then because other citizens
whose children attend the cits
schools, entertain a different ides
than Mr.. Draper they are classed as
fanatics Since when did Ameri
can citizens abdicate the right to diff
fer in opinion with others? Since
when because they so differ wits
, others is Il just or fair or sensible
4
1T occurs to the members OF thi
Methodist Preachers Association
that they have as good a right 4
have opinions concerning certaii
matters as any member Of the schoo
board And when the patrons OF tn
schools not only express their opin
ions, but claim the right to contro
their children, it is crude and un
justihable to hold them us as
/, class Of fanatics We wonder II thi
: Mr. Draper has ever heard thi
proverb, Live and let liver
But what are facts? No one o
e the people whom Mr.. Draper classe
n as fanatics objected to music {
1 march with, etc What they did oh
ject to was to have their childre
4 taught to do what in the judgment O
n their parents was best TO refrai
a from, and in one case at least
! protest was entered against a mer
r child being, against her will, inform
n ed that she must dance with a men
! Der Of the opposite sex.
"A I'VE claim the God given right
/, express our opinions. especially sin,
NJ that is n right that inheres in Amer
~ can citizenship. and we make bol
to suggest that Mr.. Draper weig
+, we'll his words in speaking as a pul
i lie servant, for IL might chance ths
:, the servant would be liable to
:. charge OF slander or libel when h
. holds his masters up TO scorn an
. ridicule, and uses language in char
=, acterizing them which is repreher
sihle TO the last degree. II would
= we'll also, in making such character
izations to make them accord wit
the facts. thing which, II this NJ
/ Draper is correctly reported, he TAI
ed 70 do"