Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-01-11

10 the Editor Of the Ercning Public Ledger:
Sir-Theodore Roosevelt believed that most
people are worthwhile and mean 10 he
square-if they are given a chance. What
VIII De more important when history comes
10 make up its record in regard to him. Is
that he was always earnestly and h~elDfully
IN FAVOR of giving his fellow-men all possible
ana reasonable opportunities to demonstrate
this fact.
In his death--if men like Roosevelt can be
SAID TO really die-the more than 20. 900. 900
fraternalists in this country and the frater-
nalists of the whole world have seen the
transition to a higher sphere of one whose
every heartbeat, thought and impulse made
nm a fraternalist in the fullest and best
sense.
He did more than talk fraternalism-hs
put 1t in force and exemplifed ii in countless
ways which will endear his memory to all
coming generations of those who love the
nome and would conserve it's best interests
ana most hallowed associations.
At this time. when the Peace Conference
is about to assemble. to garner the fruits Of a
world war fought and won in the cause OF
humanity and justice as opposed to brute
force, every fraternalist should be reminded
that on February 4, 1908, the then President
Roosevelt received Il delegation of officers
and representatives of the National Fraternal
Press Association, in the cabinet room at
the White House, and, after promptly grant
ing them the relief they sought from iniqui-
'''o biu interpretations tneTeOI,
he made the following memorable address:
"Gentlemer of the National Fraternal
Press Association: / am delighted and ex-
ceedingly pleased 10 meet you. especially in
view of the nature of the interests YOU rep
resent-you being the representatives Of
institutions whose business it Is TO care for
the home. If | am not greatly mistaken,
you have the same objects in view. and are
adopting largely the same methods of gov
eminent which prevail in the National Gov
prn1nnnf nt mr. m mud n Il. a. ~ n,a N
VIII ever be perfect until every citizen can
say. i am my brothers. keeper 1t is very
gratifying TO me to learn of the magnificent
work your societies have already accom-
plished in relieving the necessities of the
widows and orphans of your deceased mem
bers. In working out the great problems
which confront our nation we must depend
wholly upon tn" sentiments which actuate
and pervadc your fraternities. viz. the broth
erhood Of man and the sacredness of the
American home life,
Il am confident that in the final analysis
We shall find that the stability of our Gov
eminent depends not so much on our armies
and navies. though they may be vastly i'm
portant, but rather we will have to depend
upon the brotherhood of humanity as repre-
scented In the great fraternities. The fraternal
societies represented by your ASSOCIATION are,
in my opinion, one of the greatest powers
for good government and the protection of
the home that we have in this country. This
Government will endure just as long as we
protect the great interests represented by
your order.
II thank you, gentlemen, for this interview,
and | am heartily with you in this great
fraternal work, and trust that you may sue
coed in your present mission to Washington"
T.. y. HAAG,
Chairman general publicity committee Ma
tional Fraternal Congress or America and
Of the National Fraternal Press Associa-
ton author of the Declaration of Fratar-
nalism."