Advance copies of _That Last Waif; or, Social Quarantine_, were
sent to a large number of persons in different walks of life asking
for suggestions relative to practical individual co-operation in
promoting a social quarantine worthy of Twentieth Century Ideals, to
be in active operation (started), with the complete aim, at the
opening of the coming century, January 1st, 1900.
The time has been too short since the mailing of the advance copies to
remote points to give the entire consensus of opinion. Sufficient
suggestions have, however, been received to formulate a plan of
individual co-operation, and to suggest the grouping of individuals
into organizations for the purpose of a thorough quarantine campaign.
The most hopeful signs elicited by the call for suggestions come from
the least expected sources. Persons who are themselves under the ban
of social disapproval through participation in occupations that are
classed "not respectable" by social decree, _jump_ to support the
movement, because they best know that cruel conditions of persecution
and neglect _do_ exist. They not only have felt the neglect or
persecution themselves, but are in touch with it and with the children
who now "have no show on earth to be good." This is due to the neglect
of society to provide children an opportunity to choose between the
good and the bad by supplying adequate infant and progressive
character schools as recommended in our appeal.