Omaha daily bee., 1902-11-16
IDEALS OF ~BROTHERHoOD.
President Roosevelt Emphasizes One
of the Needs of the Times.
Kansas CITY Star

NS ~
Kansas City Star.
The address OF President Roosevelt on
"Brotherhood' at Philadelphia was appro-
pirate and timely. 1t came with especial
force from Mr.. Roosevelt Just after his i'm
pressive demonstration Of his belief in the
principle by his interference to end the suf-
fering resulting from the coal strike. 1t
was opportune in following that prolonged
struggle in which the ideal Of brotherhood
had been ignored with lamentable results.
PJt as that struggle was one OF the symp-
toms Of the times, the address was Of more
than temporary significance. The president
did not exaggerate when he said that the
great Industrial and social problems OF to-
day could not be solved without the apply
ing OF "the lesson OF brotherhood"
Few persons seem to realize what a
critical period in American history the next
few years will be. When plenty Of land
was accessible and opportunities were ap-
proximately equal the country got on we'll
with a crude code OF social ethics that en-
couraged each nan TO care supremely for
his own interests without much regard to
those Of his neighbors. But the social life
has become too complex, opportunities too
restricted and chances too unequal for the
old code to be successful. The manager of
a big corporation who manipulates its stock
in his own interest may find himself justi-
fed by former standards, but he is a
dangerous person to the modern commun-
ity. The obsolete code must give way to
one founded on the idea OF brotherhood II
the new order is to last.
Legislation can do something to remedy
the abuses that arise with the development
OF material civilization. But so long as
laws do not register the wishes Of sincere
public sentiment they will be evaded and
fail OF their purpose. Prohibitory legisla-
tion is ineffective where the people want
liquor. Laws against some form Of in
dustrial oppression can accomplish little
unless the majority Of business men dis-
countenance the evil. The only certain
remedy for the injustices that are develop
ing in the industrial order lies in the spirit
OF brotherhood. Upon the spread of this
ideal depends the stability Of the whole
system.
The period is critical, too, on the side OF
individual as well as public ethics. There
was a time when the threat Of excommuni-
cation from the church was a powerful
weapon 20 enforce q certain standard Of
conduct. Belief in a future system OF re-
wards and punishments has continued to
the present day to exert a strong influence
for morality. But this belief is weakening.
and fear as a motive for right conduct is
becoming ineffective. Unless the idea OF
brotherhood can take its place the break
ing down of the old sanctions will lead to
moral anarchy. The great religious teach
ers have recognized the importance OF this
ideal. Christianity Is founded upon II. It's
absence from the Greek and Roman sys-
TENS led to the deterioration Of those
civilizations and left them an easy prey
TO the barbarians. History has proved the
profound wisdom Of the injunction to love
thy neighbor as myself by showing that
the ideal OF brotherhood among the citi-
gems is essential tO<a nations self preserva-
tlon.
In emphasizing "the lesson Of brother
hood" President Roosevelt showed his APP
probation OF the great need Of the times.
His address was inspired, not by emotion,
but by good, hard sense. The pressing
problems Of today are to be solved only
through the spread Of the brotherhood
ideal.