The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1909-12-20
THE PASSION FOR FAIRNESS.

The presidency Of Theodore Roose-
welt brough, the American people
nothing better. nothing more really
valuable. than his emphasis on what
he called the policy II square deal.
He emphasized. this by oft-repeated
words and by many consistent and
brave actions He really had pas
sion for fairness His decisions did
not hinge upon the question: VIII
II he poIitic?" or. VIII IL be POPULAR
but rs IL fair?" And what he
thought Ia be fair he did. but what
he Judged to be unfair. no argument
III eypedicncy could lead him TO do.
Fairness il another name for jus
tice; and justice has ever held an hon
ored pace in American life. IL was
this spirit which brought the Pilgrims
hither. that they might worship God
and govern themselves according to
the dictates of their own perpendic-
uiar consciences. The same spirit led
their descendants to declare indepen-
denca OF the mother country. and to
fight rather than submit to contin-
ued injustice The love of justice was
Lincoln's guiding star during the
stormy years OF his public career.
in the common people which gives
ground and power To the growing de-
mand for suitable regulation of trusts
and more equitable basis of taxa
ton.
Yet like many another virtue. fair
ness liz more easily demanded of 9TH
ers than practiced by oneself. But
when one demands Of another what he
1T I..t,
fair. even though the thing demanded
is fairness. The spirit of fairness re-
quires that the attitude expected from
another must first be manifested by
oneself. Fairness is u mutual affair.
II is an outgoing. active spirit not
a recipient or passive one. Christ
states IL perfectly when. he said: AS
We would that men should do to you.
de ye also to them likewise" This
is called tn. Golden Rule: and II Is
the rule of fairness.
In personal differences. In labor dis
putes. in business and political un-
pleasantness. or In religious contro-
/ yersy--in fact in all matters owe,
which men differ or quarrel. fairness
is the one thing needed. Let this
be exercised. each putting himself as
ldT pvSsibit III the btueT
seeing the disputed matter from the
others standpoint. and strife would
quickly cease. Personal auarrels
would dissolve into mutual respect II
not actual friendship. Labor troubles
would be settled by arbitration, which
is. the wise and systematic appiica-
ton OF fairness. and strikes and lock-
outs. with the suffering they entail
upon both the strikers and the pub
lie, would be at an end. Business
tyranny and political grating would
cease because merchants. captains OF
industry and politicians would con-
slider the rights and the welfare Of
others even as their own. And all re-
iigiaus controversy would dissolve into
the strains of "A great oratorio. many
voices blending not in unison but In
! harmony To praise God.
Fairness should he enshrined in the
hearts of all men. becoming for each
not theory or "A standard by which
to test others. but a principle OF
thought and action. Many of the
troubles which most irritate our mod
ern life would soon disappear If men
would all strive To be fair. But to be
.fficacious. fairness must be priced as
/ one prizes his life and liberty. and
practiced as one breathes the daily
air. There must be a veritable pas
sion FOR fairness.