Los Angeles herald., 1908-02-14
A ROOSEVELT TEXT

A MERICANS, paste this Roosevelt
~ text on the blank leaves of your
- Bibles: II doubt IL there is any
lesson more essential to teach in an in
dustrial democracy like ours than the
lesson that any failure to train the av-
erage citizen in the belief of the things
of the spirit, no less than the things OF
the body, must in tn long run entail
misfortune. shortcomings, possible dis
aster upon the nation itself"
This is what we have been preach
ing in these columns day by day; and,
while we do not PROFOUND as a pam
acea, yet we suggest as a tonic that
the nation should be brought back to
a knowledge and consideration of the
first principle; OF Americanism and
taught in public schools, in Sunday
schools, in church, from the platform
and in the newspapers that the great
est possible good for the greatest num-
Der of the human beings assembled in
society under one protecting flag is no!
AN aim of the American republic, bu.
THE aim, to which all others should
minister, and by their bearing upon
which all others should be judged.
How simple is the problem when 1t
is reduced to the elementary terms of
the first principles of Americanism
Is certain course of conduct contrary
to public interest? Then it is Illegal on
the face of 1t, and why should the
courts have to occupy time in formu-
lating reasons for a self-evident prop
osition? There are not two standards
of right and wrong in this country.
There is only one. 1t is Americanism.
If we deny that standard, we deny the
right of the United States to indie
pendence, and we are no better thar
a feoff of Britain in masquerade.
Is there any condition at present ex
listing in the United States which not
merely discourages but wars against
the American principle of the greatest
good for the greatest number? We
leave the answer to yon. And what,
fray, is the greatest good? The great
est riches? Enough is as good as
feast for any mammal excepting
hog. AS soon as a man has moro
than enough he becomes anomalous,
and during all his life, nolens volens.
whether he so intends or not. is in a
constant attitude of apology, explana-
ton and defense to the community.
What, then. is the greatest good? In
nation the greatest contentment
among the greatest number Of cAti-
zens is the greatest good, because it an
sures stability of government and an
orderly, useful and productive national
existence. And what brings content
ment? Happiness, and nothing but
happiness. without happiness, con-
tentment is utterly impossible. When
you meet an unhappy man, who whim-
lers that he is contcrted with his lot:
you may be sure that he is entitled to
a Roosevelt medal for mendacity. In
order to promote the greatest happi-
ness we must promote everything that
will expel worry and fear from the
hearts of the people. They must have
reasonable assurance of their daily
bread and butter three times day.
Then, as man does not live by bread
alone, he must have a reasonable as.
surance of that amount of education
for himself and for his family that
will enable him to understand what
the president means when he talks OF
belief in the things of the spirit.
Physical, mental, moral and industrial
training should be the birthright of
every citizen. And begin at the be-
ginning. Catch them when they are
young" Teach Americans American.
ism in the days of their youth and in
their old age they will not forsake 1t.