Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1924-08-12
OLD-TIlNE RELIGION
A. GAMBLER


"the child labor amendment"
Fortunately many good people are awak-
ing to the dangers which are involved in it,
and it begins to appear that it will proba-
bly, fail Of ratification by the states.
That ably conducted paper, the Presby-
terrain, published at Philadelphia, has print
ed recently an editorial in opposition to the
bill, which deserves the widest circulation
and the most careful consideration. In
terms of wisdom and moderation the editor
of the Presbyterian points out the meaning
Of the measure and sets forth it's objection
able features and probable perils. He goes
to the root of the matter in this wise
"There is some danger in this proposed
Amendment. The rearing and of chill
dren is not committed to the state, but to
the parents, by the law of God This work
is Of too delicate a nature to be committed
to the state and submitted to the defilement
Of pOliics. 1t looks strongly toward social
ism. No provision was made for it in the
Constitution, and to introduce it now, when
socialism is pressing to the front by every
means and on every opportunity is a very
serious matter.
"Moreoyer, the question Of training child
to work is too intricate a matter to be reg
ulated by the state. If cruelty or injustice
is in any way perpetrated on child or
minor, there is and should be a Way for his
civil Defense But to attempt to make a civil
provision for interfering with parents in the
use and training of their children is a return
to- barbarism.
"In the case of mother who is left a
widow in need, and having several hardy
boys say from ten to eighteen years old,
would it be right, just or wise to deprive
her of the aid of these boys in earning their
own living or to NEEDLE with her in the
management of her affairs? Any tendency
of this kind would be tyranny. Where
would Congress get the wisdom to interfere
with such details? With Congress as it is
10. -loy,, ~, ;,,Io
fering with family management.
Moreover, the training of children to in
dustry from their earliest years, without OPP
preston, is of the first Importance to the ma
ton, the family, and the individual. Nothing
could be more perilous to the rising genera
ton than for them to feel taht the state pro-
tected them from work and that idleness was
their right. One of the greatest blessings
of this nation, and one of the sources Of it's
greatest power has been the necessity Of it's
youth Tearing to work at an early period in
life 1t was necessity which developed in
vention, achievement and sympathetic fell
lowship. Our best men have been the sons
of toll, and the necessity for toll When the
whole matter of training youth in labor is
put into the coarse hands of Congress, the
result can only be evil"
Those are words of truth and soberness
which should commend themselves to all
good people who care for the welfare of chill
dren, the sanctity of the home, and the right
adjustment of the relative powers of the
States and the Federal Union.
The amendment proposed does not mean
good, but it means much harm to the coun-
try.
In truth it is time to call a halt on amend
ing the Constitution. Every evil cannot be
corrected by legislation, and most of the ills
which can be cured by legislation are rem
edied either by easily framed statutes rather
than by radical amendments of the COnstitu4
ton.
The main uses Of a Constitution are to
restrain power protect minOrities, and pre-
serve the nature of the government 1t is an
embodiment of fixed principles rather than
the enactment of passing policies and change
full eXpedients.
When Constitutions are set aside by false
interpretations in order to accomplish per-
sOnal or fractional ends the worst results
surely and swiftly follow Settled principles
are set aside and the way of designing men
is opened for them to do without restraint
whatever they have mind to do.
When Constitutions are needlesslJ and fire.
quently amended schemes Of transient eX-
pedience are elevated above fundamental
principles of righteousness and truth. Con
stitutional immortality then runs its rapid
course to the corruption and degradation Of
the people and the decay Of stable govern
ment