PALMER ALASKA. , CARL RASMUSSEN EDITOR.
Publisher1 by the Matanuska Vailey Farmers Cooperating Association at
Palmer, Alaska,on every Friday, for the purpose of giving news of the
Association's work, aims, problems onr1 accomplishments and local news.
Subscription by Mail $ 1.75, yearly. Box 1.00 , single copy 10^.
IS IT CAUSED BY THE LACK OF A CIVIC CONSCIENCE?
•Thlsissue of the Settler contains a notice that the lobby of the
1ocal Post Office will have to be closed because of mischievous and
.licious destruction of property and other unlawful acts by presumably
unknown persons. People who have taken the care to observe the actions
of certain young people in the ccmunity have a fair knowledge of the
perpertrators and their destructive actions.
War may be an enobleing cxpierence for the people of the Nation In*
general, as claimed by some writers, ( vvc disagree with them.however)
but it certainly dosent promote the benifits of proper disipline, to the
average child if our observations are correct. Wc believe that most of
our trained soldiers could icnrn a lot more about sabatage, destruction
of property and cunningly planed escapes it they were allowed tc become
o member of m 'St any of the small boys gangs that circulate in secrecy
and darkness in any local section of our country. Some of the twelve
year eld Commandos can do as much or mere damage and fscape undetected
as any trained Ranger that wc over hoard of.
With this kind of training during the War, while adults arc oith r
fighting cr supplying the needs of the Army or the citizens behind the
linos, wo dread to think about the kind of citizens they will bo in the
Post- War world. Many of the fine young men who are now servinL/ overseas
• and nlswhcre will be amazed at the proficiency of the little chil'rr-n,
they knew, in crime and destruction when they return to civil life.
'.That causes the crimminal trend is indeed n moot question. We fe -l
that the persons meinly responsible ere the parents, but not always,
however there are too many parents who arc enjoying the war pr aperity
to such a large extent that they don't have time to cere for their
children properly and neglect promotes adverse tendencies. The v:c always
have the type of person who is setting examples#kcenly observed by the
youngsters#of dishonesty, indulgence in vice a fid personal selfishness,
nd who brag about how they got away with it. The effect on th- chip's
ind can really be guessed.
The Psalmist seid"Spare the rod and spoil the child" and while the
rod helps in some cases it will not be effective unless the child has
proper respect for the parent, and the parent must earn this respect by
conducting their life in accordance with moral principles, oth rwiso the
punishment inflicted will be recicved. ’with resentment.
Disipline and child training should bogain at home, like charity, and
failure on the part of the parent to watch and train the child, will be
paid-for in the future at extrnvigent prices. Raising children who n ver
have any training in civic consciousness is just as dangerous to the
citizenry of any State us n neglected campfire is toJforest reserve.
.Torching respect for other peoples property to children will not be
effective unless the parent sets the example, personal selfishness
_willbe impressed on the mines of children,ns it is practiced by the adult
regardless of his teaching, The only..thing that can reform the present
generation,is examples'and practice of the virtues by the adult citizen.
Let each parent search his mind for the answer.