Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1914-07-30
LOVE OF HUMANITY.
a Patriotism broader Than Love of
Country says Il. X. Coulter.


I'VE are breeding new patriotism in
this day, broader than the love of coun-
try; 1t Is the love of humanity" This
was the keynote of Ernest X. Coulter 8
lecture on The Civic Awakening" at the
summer school Tuesday AS clerk of n
children's court in New York for several
years and as founder of the Big Brother
movement nearly ten years ago, Mr.. Coul-
ter has seen our social needs and has en-
tered the work of active reform. And he
has come through it with a contagious
case of optimism
I'm this social revolution which many
prophecy that we are undergoing there
comes an awakening sense of humanity
and new attitude OF square dealing to-
ward our neighbors. We are kindlng n
flame of love in mems hearts. We are
penetrating their selfshness as never be-
fore. This seems to he the greatest ac-
complishment in human progress" These
are some of the expressions of Mr.. Coul-
tcr's optimism, and he finds much on
which to base it.
The speaker noted what the Increase in
humanity had done for children. The So
ciety for Prevention OF Cruelty to Chill
drcn was organized and for the first time
children were given the same protection
as had been accorded the brutes. They
are no longer beaten to insensiblity by
cruel parents and guardians. They are no
longer hcrded with criminals. They have
separate tribunals.
This civic and social awakening, besides
helping the condition of the children, is
attacking tenement problems. the sweat
shops, the forces that dcbauch our legis-
latures, Is providing play spaces, is caus-
Ing love for our neighbours and is influ-
encing political parties. We have awak-
ened in five years to the evils of child
labor, and now have commissions in 80
states. and much State legislation look
ing to the end of the abuse. We have su-
perVised play in over 800 municipalities
In the social clinics of the children's
courts we are being awakened to the
need of proper housing. The 10000 deaths
and 10000 new cases OF tuberculosis an
nually In New York city are largely due
to overcrowding. Mr.. Coulter has pro-
posed that every tenement should be re-
CURED by law to have the name Of the
owner upon It, 1t would cause many
sudden improvements when such law
were passed, and it is surely coming.
We are looking into the causes of pow
erty. They are ignorance. exploitation Of
labor. and failure of the government to
do its duty.
We have women's clubs to thank for
much progress, especially for their es-
Establishment Of milk and ice depots, and
for efforts to reduce infant mortality.
The speaker then told Of the founding
of the Big Brother movement ten years
a il,
civic betterment heard of the work Of the
children's court through Mr. Coulter, and
became a club which did things as well
as studied things. He suggcster that
they take a personal interest in some of
the boys who 20 through the courts
Forty We're present and all agreed to take
an interest in one boy. They went down
to the tcnements and studied the victims
of bad environment. Many boys were
treated with thought and sympathy and
were turned from lives of crime to lives
of credit and service. They got a new
horizon. The movement has spread to
more than 40 cities. Last year more than
1900 lottle brothers We're taken care of in
New York county alone and only three
per cent. of these came back to the
courts.
III tnlS SOClaI awakening great deal
more is needed than the signing of a sub
scription list. The person who is doing
nothing for his neighbor is little better
than a Pharisee. The churches are now
awake: they realize that Christianity
means service. "A Big Sister movement
has been started, for just as much can be
done for the girl who is a victim of bad
environment.
The best In life comes with love and
service If we are not doing our part, We
shall soon realize shat we are not living
the life most worth while.