The Detroit times., 1916-03-01
THE NEW MORALITY
eY DR.. FRANK ckANE
lCopyrigEI. 1916. b. Frank Cranej

The old morality was individual. As
far as the state is concerned people used
to accept the principle of Machiavelli,
recently emphasized by Bernhard, that
"a nation has no morals only self-inter-
est. The citizens therefore were to ac-
cept what kings and satraps God in His
infinite wisdom had given them, and do
the best they could.
The new morality is individual plus
social and governmental. Ii recognizes
that we are responsible for the kind of
government we have, and that we are
conscience-bound not only to be just
ourselves, but TO create and maintain
just social order
The old morality was against sin. The
new morality is against poverty.
DR.. Max Hamburger of Johns Hop
hns, says that "the modern world will
see the end of poverty" and that "the
philosophy of history points in this di-
rection."
Ferrero, the Italian philosopher,
writes: "The new morality must be
necessary element of prosperity"
We must recognize that not only do
crime, alcohol and inefficiency cause pow
erty, but, even more, poverty causes in
efficiency, alcohol and crime.
There is no doubt poverty can be abol-
ished. BY two agencies: Education and
Organization; that is. the right Training
Of the young and the right Government
of the mature
The first crying need is to change rad
icalIy the present ideals and methods of
Education The ideal should be to rem
der every boy and girl efficient. 1t should
men and learned professors, but to make
every human being an efficient unit. If
you want to know how this can be accom-
plished, look at Principal Wirt's school
in Gary, Indiana. or Principal Hulbert's
in Park Ridge, New Jersey From such
schools pupils are sent forth capable of
earning a living.
II is to be regretted that the educa-
ton given by most colleges and univer-
sites is useless and medieval.
And education will not fulfil its true
function until every boy and girl in the
United States is kept in training all the
time until the age of 2l.
The business Of the country does not
need the labor Of the children. It does
need their training.
Secondly. there should be organized
and community action to give employ
ment to every man. The only reason
we do not have this now is that we have
not yet learned how to govern ourselves.
No intelligent nation can afford TO have
an army of the unemployed 1t is not
only useless but senseless.
John Lee Mahin, in his recent book,
advertising" suggests that the govern
ment undertake great public works, such
as canals, river and harbor improve
ments, highways and the like, make a
minimum wage Of $l.50 a day, and give
employment to all men out of job He
advocates "the free coinage of labor" as
basis for the plan.
This is one way If it is impractical,
another way ought to be found.
The new morality demands some kind
Of job for every human being of age.
and free and efficient training OF all hu-
man beings under age.
Modern conscience is pointing this
way more and more every day. Let US
hope that our legislators may soon feel
the pressure.
Vim. r. Malone said in an address be-
fore the Ohio State University: "The
world is not good enough for any Of us to
live in, if it is not good enough for all
of us to live in The man farthest down
must be helped up, lest the best that
vaunted civilization has evolved be
Itumbled to destruction. We organize
men to fight our battles. Why should we
not organize to ameliorate conditions|