The San Francisco call., 1895-05-21

II.
and my home, but the universal home. the
home OF humanity.
4 mere glance al the programme will show you
Sfsst IL Is The purpose of the congress 10 treat
~ The home in its relation to the individual,
to society, TO the municipality, TO the State, 10
the Nation and the world. The logic OF events
tells Us that all men are brethren Ii one
member suffers. all suffer with him
We need q finer social and civil development,
as the solid basis OF true materlai prosperity;
Far superior in importsnce 10 mere physlcai
wealth is the wealth which comes from hlgh
mental and moral power; the prosperity that
lies in the line OF intelligence ana real virtue.
There must be genuine nobility OF character,
or the chances are that posterlty will regard
the brilliancy of the family jewels more
religiouslv than the brightness OF the family
name. 1t is in the home that these great moral
transformations are TO be worked out The
world is on the advance, and our homes must
respond TO that advance by sending forth no.
BILE, wellequipped men and women, inspired
with splendid purpose and lofty intent; ready,
ff needs be, to do and 10 suffer.
Science needs explorers and eXpounders and
original thinkers are in demand. The foot
paths OF past generations are well-trodden
Where are the pioneers to new fields of discov-
cry? Original students OF nature are called
for Great problems await solution. Great
truths are Travelling for birth.
Is California, fair Queen of the West, keeping
abreast of her own pro oiected worl? Is America
the presumntive mistress OF civilization, ready
10 meet her high behests2
i much fear the affirmation is true, that
neither the classes of statesmen, philusophers
artisans nor laborerS are up to the modern
complexiJy OF their several professions. We
must look TO the home for the remedy of these
shortcomings. The average standard OF the
race must be raised or humanity will be lashed
and goaded into helpless decrepitude by exac-
tons that transcend its capabilities. A bal
ance must be preserved between the present
requirements OF the age and the ability to
meet those requirements. They must be made
10 harmonlze. These are vital questions that
reach back into the home for their solution
The generation just hand will be the logical
sequence of the generation OF to-day.
IL Is the purpose OF this congress TO bring ont
whatever is highest and best in regard to the
home in all its tar-reaching and wide-branch-
l ing relations. The good and the true one,
and truth is eternal; and amid the perplexing
discussions and opinions in regard to social
and political economy 1t Is comforting to
remember that truth or error, justice or justice
are in no way dependent upon our own
Interpretation of them. These are inherent in
the very nature OF things, and human law
seeks in vain TO ignore or defy them. They are
not 10 be trifed with. Happy the nation or
the individual that discovers these essential
truths, and yields quick and cheerful obedi-
ence 10 the same. Civilization is but another
mode of expressing wise and Teyerent COM
pliaace with Natures laws. All permanent
Improvement along any line consists in bring
ing our opinions into nearer agreement with
facts.
We live in stirring times. in the midst OF
.changes-religious, Intellectual, social and
political. Questions profoundly suggestive
ing themselves Men and women in a
'hand-to-hand tussle with lie have little time
for carefully considering the pros and cons of
these agitaung topics. Conscientious, truth
loving and progressive, they would fain throw
their influence in the way OF righteous REFORM
and fearful lest an undue eagerness for the new
may work injustice TO the old they often silence
real conviction, and suffer themselves to be
equipped with ready-made arguments and
motives. They yield to the popular and the
plausible Tor lack OF opportunity to study and
decide for themselves This congress will
take up questions on which there will doubt
less be diversity of opinion. Opportunity
will hp sir nf
presented. Discussion stirS the soil around the
roots OF truth ana gives it a vigorous growth.
1t is not 10 be expected that all minds can ac-
cept the same presentation OF a subject; nor
should the advocates of either side be charged
with lack OF conscientiousness, or a selfish
disregard TO the welfare of others. An inherent
sense OF personal dignity viii always beget q
spirit OF courteous consideration for the opin-
ions OF an opponent, which is but just tribute
y proper self-respeet; ,our antagonist
eng Is so subversiye of truth as intoler-
snce of discussion. Even public opinion
Is by no means infallible; it is sometimes SIM
agitation that eliminates the truth, as churn-
ing eliminates the butter; and 1.-The age that
agltates the most and the wisest has the most
golden ayolrdupoiS to stow away in its firkin.' -
The reality in the old becomes the new dis
closure, Just as the bulb becomes the flower.
And so we may expect very earnest and, We
trust, very profitable discussions in regard TO
the home in all its varied aspects. In proper
ton as mankind gets away from savage condi-
development and its power.
e. The homes of nation are nations safe
A man does not shoulder his musketin defense
OF his boardlng-house, but in defense of his
home The world may have a thousand
perches for man but IL can have but one nest
aud the home makes the man far more than
the man makes the home.
It'would be fine thing for any common
wealth If every workingman had it in his
power to be investing every month what he
now pays for rent in the payment of q home.
There would be a fresh incentive for every
mem Der OF the family 10 work toward the same
end until they could say with just pride and
happiness, "This is our home" l rejoice when
ever see the little homes going up all around
the suburbs of our beautiful city, raveling out
into the remoter districts, thus uniting the
radical tendencies of the city with the more
conservative elements of country life.
It Is man. that makes land valuable; and
homes increase the dignity and happiness of
man. The manufacturing interests of great
cities would be enhanced in value if the work
men had the paying of a home as an incentive
10 great industry and fidelity. This question
OF homes for the working classes is question
OF political economy Homes for workingmen
would sound the death knel of "strikes." 1t
is the homeless land that will ke the imperiled
land whether it be France, Ireland, England,
Scotland, or own loved America. have been
furnished by Rev. DR.. Northrop, the veteran
educator, who, some time since, passed through
San Francisco on his way to Japan He had
: been gathering statistics for magazine article
on f'Strikes, and the Homes of Working Peo-
pie2' II was full of deep and suggestive i'm
port. The following were among the facts
stated. In the city of Philadelphia, with its
200, 600 families, no less than 100000 are liv-
ing. in their own homes, and $4,000 OF these
were built by good, substantial loan and build
Ing associations. the stock ofwhich is not taxed.
so highly is it appreciated. There has not been
"a serious strike in Philadelphia for many years.
- Look at the city of ST. Johnsbury, Vermont,
. where the great Fairbanks scales mandatory
IS turning out from seventy five to eighty thou
sand scales year-every one of them made
upon honor. The operatives own their homes
and are honored citizens of the town. One of
the Fairbanks brothers has given $500, 600 for
ain academy; others of the family nave given
museum, an athenaum, an art gallery and a
Young Mems Christian Association building.
There has never been "strike" in st. Johns
bury.
The Cheney silk mandatory, in South Man.
Chester, Connecticut, is the largest in the
world. The company furnishes the ground at
cost and loans money for homes. No saloons
are allowed, no fences; the plans are by one
architect.
One thousand acres are covered by these
works and these beautiful homes. There are
kpo 'strikes" in South Manchester
SLrake the Estey organ mandatory at Brattle-
boro, VT, as another instance. They have
recently celebrated the completion OF the
. TWO hundred and fifty thonsandth organ. The
Operatives own their homes and are a happy