Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-01-23
Editors Letter Box
Fireside Fellowship
The Home Needed

Men have been applying democracy
to politics for more than a century
We have held that the people shouis
rule through their elected representa-.
tives instead of being ruled by APP
ponies Of kings and their subordi-
mates. We have tried to extend
democracy within and without oui
i land. We have made efforts to apply
democracy to our industries to give
the workers more voice in the di-
reetion of the business in which they
earn their living.
Three great principles of de-
mocracy are Liberty, Equality and
Fraternity. Liberty-freedom in
thought, belief and action; Equality
before the law and in opportunity
for expression in every phase of lie;
Fraternity-the mingling with our
kind in friendly intercourse and re-
lationship. Possessing these things
men and women may live wholesome
satisfactory lives.
Not least in Importance is F'ratern-
|sity. The fraternal spirit developed
strongly in the homes of our Colonial
ancestors was largely responsible for
the courage and perseverance that
won our independence.
The importance of the home cannot
be over estimated. Early settlers
endured great privation and risked
their lives to establish and maintain
their homes. Under the cultural re-
timing influence of the home the men
whose names We revere developed the
ability AND character to establish
this great democracy.
The town Meeting at which the
citizens gathered to conduct their
public affairs could not have been
successful had there not been the
home influence. Their decisions
rested upon their abiding faith in
their homes. To protect their homes
they lived and died. The same spirit
has animated the pioneers who
steadily marched westward until
nearly the whole country haT become
settled.
With the growth of cities and the
increase in factory production a
change has come. Year by year more
people are living outside the in
tfuence of home life thus losing this
fireside fellowship, cultural influence
and fraternal spirit. The effect OF
this change is clearly seen in. our
political; economic, social and sre-
ligiolAs life.
Believing that this lessening of
home influence upon the affairs OF
, the community, state and nation is
very detrimental and that nothing
else can SO well promote human well
fare I urge that a specific and de-
termined effort be made to restore
the influence of the home in public
affairs.
The home stands supreme as an
agency to build character, mold
sentiment and promote ideals. The
sacred influence of the home. the
fellowship of the fireside and the
fraternity spirit can develop and
/ organize public opinion that will
control public affairs, settle correctly
all national and International CUES
tons, assure world peace and
establish the reign of good will on
earth.
President Coolidge has we'll said
Look well, then, to the hearthstone
Therein all nope of America lies"
suggest that citizens initiate a
home movement, a freside fraternity
! W 40 iudl very lllllS. 1 DSlleNo ina
the hope of America does lie in the
home and its influence. All the
forces that center in the home
should be used for the common good
The purpose of such a movement
may be expressed in these words
. To establish justice in all human re-
latio0s. This means that love must
be the directing influence. The
CoF7en Rule must be tie guide in all
social, political and industrial af-
j fairs. Let our watchwords be:
Fraternity with one another.
Fellowship with truth.
Service to humanity.
Be~innin" in the home the creative
~ource of life. there must go forth
the rev shirt of unselfsh service in
social. nolitical and industrial life to
establish lihertv. equality and
fraternity, with justice to all man.
kind.
II. F. KENDALL.
217 Oakland St. Springfield, Mass.