The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1918-11-22
"MY BROTHERS KEEPER"

America today is standing on the
threshold of a social and industrial up
heaval that will leave in its wake the
wreckage of great number of long
cherished institutions, including such
venerable idols as the survival of the
fittest, the sacredness of accumulated
wealth and cheap labor. The world
that we have helped make safe for
democracy includes the United States,
and the sooner we let that fact sink
in the easier will be consummation of
the renaissance to come.
The day Of individualism in Amer
lea is over Democracy, as we under
stand it, calls for the greatest good
for the greatest number. The major
ity of our people are wage-earners,
men of average brain power, men who
desire nothing much beyond the Or
binary comforts and necessities of
life.
For many generations the Hohen-
zollerns, Hapsburgs and Romanotfs
of wealth have rcigned in America.
A few men have been able to fix the
wages of the multitude, dole out their
food and assign them shelters. In
true democracy such a situation is in
conceivable, and if we have not be-
come true democracy as a result of
the war, then we have shed our blood
in vain.
The adjustment in America will be
accomplished without violence. Our
people are too intelligent to assume
that the torch and the headsman's ak
are good reform arguments. The war
has helped wonderfully. 1t has brought
together in the same dugout Percival,
the son of accumulated wealth, and
Michael, the son of underpaid toll.
Lying IN the same wallow of mud,
drinking from the same canteen and
bothered by the same coolies, no doubt
a community of interest has sprung up
between them. Percival has discov-
cred that Michael has some good
points and Michael has found that ev-
en- a rich mans son has lot Of de-
cent traits. And it is the, Michaels
and the Percivals back, from the war
for democracy who will have the great
part in shaping the new freedom for
America.
The new era, to our mind, will not
be one of socialism, as it is generally
defined. 1t will be one of decency and
fair play. 1t will assume such forms
as these: ".t
Private fortunes will be greatly
curtailed, not by confscation or by
denying men the rewards of their
brain and Drawn, but by stamping out
imitation and by keeping wages up to
a level that will permit the worker
to share equitably in the profits of
his product. .l.
All combinations to keep prices up
by the Withholding of food products
or other essentials will be destroyed.
As between wages and profits,
wages will always receive the first
consideration.
Our weaker brothers, those injured
in industry or incapacitated by old
age, will be taken care of by pensions
or State insurance.
Heavy inheritance taxes will return
to the State part of the huge fortunes
piled up under the old regime. .
These arc but few Of the changes
we expect under the new order. If
our democracy is to be of the enduring
kind it must be one where the inhab-
itants will live in a spirit of coop
Grafton, where the stronger will give
of their strength to the weaker and
where the men of great mental power,
will use their God-given faculties to
help those whose only ability lies in
their arms.
Under the new democracy there
can be but one answer to the question
Cain asked of God:
"Am l my brothers keeper PRE-
public.