The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-07-07
FEED The BRAIN
AS WELL AS BODY
CONTINUED FROM PAGE H.

NSO@'
and are ever increasing in magnitude
and numbers. Among such relations may
be mentioned those of rich to DOOR, of
employer to employe. of seller to pur-
chaser, Of lender to borrower, of educated
to ignorant. of old to young, of neighbor
neishbor; all of which also exist con-
yersely and impose duties at once weighty
and difficult of performance
Since government has to do with the
regulation Of everyday affairs practically
all of the relations mentioned are civic
as well as social. Some that are peculiar
to government are those which exist be-
tween ruler and ruled, law abiding and
criminal, government and Individual, cit
izen and citizen.
Low Ethical Standards.
These are some of the relations be-
longing to civic life. Are we as indi-
yiduals and as a people meeting the OBJ
legations which they impose-meeting them
honestly, fearlessly, successfully? Permit
me TO call attention to some conditions
and tendencies that indicate a negative
answer-to some of the results that have
arisen from too general a yielding to low
ideals. 1t becomes necessary sometimes
to expose the dark in order to produce
the bright side.
In all the fields of human activity the
evils Of unrestrained selfishness, the nat
ural and inevitable results of low eth
ical standards are manifesting them
selves and are influencing unfavorably all
business, social and governmental life
yes. even religious life itself. Old theories,
old practices, old conceptions of honesty,
virtue and fair dealing are being revolu-
tionized.
In the domain of business, success at
any price is coming to be the motto.
That which is not specifically prohib-
tied by statute Is regarded as permis-
sible. Take every advantage under the
law: If possible evade the law; if neces-
sary violate the law-this is the practice
in the get-rioh-quick business world and
has resulted In the marvellously rapid ac-
emulation of colossal fortunes which
stand as a menace to democratic institu-
tions and threaten to shatter democratic
ideals.
Paradoxical as 1t may seem this dis
regard for moral obligations, this excess
of liberty, this deformed sense of duty
In business relations, is being organized
to the end that unethical and Illegal
combination is lessening the field for in
dependent individual effort, and merciless
monopoly is feeding and growing fat upon
legitimate personal endeavor
In social life. modern standards threat
en- to undermine the basis of right living.
and stress is placed upon the follies and
frivolities of life rather than upon those
things that are elevating and ennobling.
Money Is being made the chief qualih-
cation fer high social standing; gold is
valued above brains; ill-gotten wealth
above nobility of character. Marriage is
laughed at; it's sacred vows are made to
be broken; and the divorce evil threatens
to make of the home a veritable pande-
monium.
olav~ xS<rJx 1nr ,H1~ -
act as II they were created only to eat,
sleep, breathe, glitter and pass away
as If 1t were all of life to live and all
of death to die.
Government, too. is jeopardized. Intox-
icated by certain phases Of material pros
perity. maddened by the allurements of
territorial acquisition, frenzied by phe-
ing into a policy of subjugation and
colonial expansion. imperialistic in tend
ency and vastly costly In maintenance
which Is causing observant, patriotic,
thinking people to regard the country s
future with deepest solicitude. With mis-
givings should we contemplate the car
rying of the flag where the constitution
does not follow, for the flag and the
constitution should be one and INSOFAR
able, now and forever.
There Is developing that Capitalization
of governmental power which, with its
natural concoInitant, polltlcai corruption,
II not checked. will devour with insatiate
greed the civic rights of the people. The
policy of protection for projections sake
presents its seductive form, and there
come forth palaces. riches, power, pomp
and splendor for the few; huts. poverty,
wrstchedness misery and ruin for the
many. Justice, equal and exact justice,
pleads for q departure from this oppres-
sive policy.
There IL felt frequently the shock of