Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-11-30
CAN WE BE SAVED?

WHO will be Secretary of Morals and
w Grand High Keeper of the National
Conscience in Mr.. Hardings cabinet?
Clearly. IL we continue to drift into bad
habits and II the stern resolution of sane
rcformers is not shaken q funCtionary with
some such title will have to be appointed at
Washington. MultitudCs Of the unrcgCncratc
nre having their fling. despite the Nolstead
act, and you have only to look at the news
papers any day to perceive that there is no
law Of the books or Of ethical tradition that
isn't being houted pretty consistently in all
parts Of the country.
Nothing that has happened in many years
caused such an uproar Of debate as is likely
to attend the proposed Legislative drive for
n Blue Sunday Many people will complain
bitterly because Of what they will call fur
thor Interference with personal rights.
Leaders of the Sunday movement will de-
claim with similar carnestness that they are
trying only to save n country that seems
determined to 30 to the dogs of legend.
There is right and wrong on the two sides
Of every contrnvCrsy and that which Is brew
ing now will be no different from all tho
other controversies that have shaken the
nation. The simple fact is that movements
intended fOrCby to regulate and improve
national morals and habits Of life spring
from Il complication of affairs which, like
the iceberg. shows only a little of its bulk
above the surface. What probably ami
mates and inspires tho rcformCrs is the
obvious and indisputable fact that We. as n
people, are running pretty wild upon dan
c"ious roads and growing increasingly con-
tcmptuouS Of normal restraint.
The statistics of homcides in the United
States will astonish any one who studies
them. More people are murdered wantonly
In this country than in u.l the rest of the
civilized We rid every year. divorce laws are
lax in many of the states and for that rea-
son America has whole army Of children
whose only parents are the courts. Behind
divorces and homicidcs lie very complex
drifts and tendencies against which many
earnest people hope to prevail with anti
liquor laws. laws for the regulation of books
and movies and schemes of legislation de-
visrd to safeguard religious institutions and
tn encourage the religious life az a whole
some nutilote to mach that is hcadong and
cynical in the philosophy of the modern
street. Churchmrn who have rrSorted to
such methods cannot be said to be without
courage They risk much and they probably
know il.
1t may be- interesting at this stage OF the
general movement for moral reforms TO in
uuirc whether the average American IL
actually un immoral person who can be made
good only by law. Any casual survey Will
bring negative answer to that question.
The average American community. even
when it Is disposed to go goltng or motoring
Un sunday and to worship only i'll the
country clubs. is apt to be pretty sound
under the surface. Tell it about somebody
in trouble. about IIoover's dependent mil
lions or about the dcsolate children III Ar
mena and you will witness demonstra
ton Of heartfelt charity of n sort to make
you marvel. 1t will give its time, its money
it's unlimited sympathy and even its clothes
to those in need. No people arc no sensitive
rs Americans to the underlying oDIigations
of established ethics.
Yet it is not always possible to have wars
and starving millions as forces of inspiration
to the higher life. Tho question before tn"
house relates to methods likely to steer the
American straight in normal times. to keep
his children clean minded and healthy ana
to lessen the number Of young people who
are growing up with frankly pagan view Of
general existence.
Any one who views dispasSionatcly the
tendency of Americans to fast and reckless
living cannot regard the factor of high ten
sion that is general in the United Suites as
Il result Of our manner Of existence. We
like to be known as the hardest working
people Oh earth. That boast is not an idle
one. Tired nerves demand high -colored
shows hectic music, bright lights and, in
word. constant stimulation. They shout for
motors and Sunday golf and even for moon
shine. Restrictions alone will not answer
the need 50 plainly apparent TIL" good
that reformers seek to do by national Sunday
laws. restrictions and censorships could best
be achieved by study of the national
nervous system and by remedies calculated
to restore human appreciation for many
things which people do not now enjoy
because Of a lack of time OF leisur" and the
sort of training that makes for nationality.