Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1922-10-26
IDEALS AND INTERESTS

Ideals and interests, intelligently conceiv-
ed, are not necessarily Incompatible
A man can work to better his condition, to
get on and to make money, and at the same
time be true to the Hottest ideals.
To believe the contrary is to indict civili-
cation. Of course, the roaring pessimist who
thinks everything is wrong and that this is the
worst possible world accuses everybody OF
materialism, selfishness, and hypocrisy who
makes living and thinks every one who gets
rich is an arch-criminal.
But, as matter of fact people get along
better who use ideals, for it is a good, though
imperfect, world, and most people are decent.
The same thing holds true of countries, for,
after all, nations are governed by the same
ethics as govern individuals.
The mad idealist, who opposes all counsels
of prosperity, and the mad materialist who
denounces all idealists, are both wrong.
This was brought out the other day in a
striking way by Eguene Meyer, managing
director If the War Finance Corporation, in
speech before the Southern Commercial Con-
gress.
1.-THE recent discussion as to why America
entered the world war was definitely settled
by President Harding when he made clear, in
his speech at Arlington, that we fought to
defend both our interests and our Ideals" de-
clared Mr.. Meyer. american interests and
ideals, intelligently conceived and wisely pur-
sued, demand leadership in the worlds eco
nomic restoration. Narrowness, self-suffi-
cheney, or greed will never promote the in
terests either Of an individual or of a nation.
On the other hand, sentimental and imprac-
ticable conceptions Of international relations
will never serve to promote human progress.
He works most soundly for the betterment
or international relations who endeavCrs to
build upon basis of mutual interest and CONS
mon advantage, but does not try unduly to
accelerate changes that require gradual
growth and development If they are to en-
dure.
"The possession of the greatest material re-
sources, the greatest financial strength, and
great power of organization, remarkably
demonstrated during the war, justifies the eX-
pectatiOn, from ideal point of view, that
we maze these resoLr 3es, that strength, and
all our power effective in the worlds econom-
ic reconstruction at this moment OF economic
Reorganization"
The right balance tetween Ideals and In
terests demands a judicious mixture of Con-
science and Common Sense.
Our ideals demand we should do what Is
absolutely right. Our common sense tells US
that when what Is absolutely right is impos-
sible, or when the judgment is unable to de-
eide exactly what is right, we ~hould do as
near right as we IN.
To be of help to Jthers we need to be strong
ourselves. A man who cGtes for his own BODY
and keep. strong is better able to help his
weaker neighbors
And country lat conser Ies it's own re-
sources and increases its own Intelligence and
prosperity is better able to cooperate with
other nations helpfully and unselfishly.
America was of assistance to the other ma
tions in the Great War not only because OF
her Ideals but because she was powerful and
wealthy.