The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-01-20

In that purpose we have been
helped by achievements Of mind
and spirit. Old truths have been
relearncd; untruths have been
unlearned. We have always
known that needless self-interest
was bad morals; we know now
that 1t is bad economies. Out
of the collapse Of a prosperity
whose builders boosted their prac-
ticality has come the conviction
that In the long run economic
morality pays. We are begin
ming to wipe out the line that d.
vides the practical from the
ideal: and In so doing we are
fashioning an instrument Of I'M
imagined power for the establish
ment of a morally better world.
This new understanding under
mines the old admiration OF
worldly success as such. We are
beginning to abandon our toll
erance Of the abuse of power by
those who betray for profit the
elementary decencies Of life.
Evil Things Not Condoned
In this process evil things for
merry accepted will not be so
easily condoned. Hard headed
ness will not so easily excuse
observation-disclosures. We are NOV
ing toward an era of good feel
ing. But we realize that there
can be no era of good feeling
save among men Of good will.
For these reasons I am justified
in believing that the greatest
change we have witnessed q. has
been the change In the moral
climate Of America. 8,
Among men Of good science
and democracy together offer an
evcr-richer life, and cver-largcr
satisfaction to the Individual.
with this change in our moral
climate and our re-discoyefed' abil-
ity TO improve our economic Or
der, we have set our feet upon
the road Of enduring progress. e
Shall We Pause Now? A
Shall VIC pause now and turn
our back upon the road that
lies ahead2 Shall we call this
the promised land? Or, shall we
continue on Our way? For each
age is. a dream that Is dying, or
one. that Is coming TO birth"
Many voices are heard as we
face a great decision. Comfort
says larry a while. Oppor-
tunisD1 says this 10 a good spot"
Tlmidity asks how difficult Is the
road ahead?"
True, we have come far from
the days Of stagnation and despair.
Vitality has been preserved. Cour-
age and confidence have been re-
stored. Mental and moral horizons
have been extended.
Gains Were Under Pressure
But our present gains were won
under pressure of more than Or
binary circumstance. Advance
became imperative under the goad
Of fear and suffering. The times
were on the side Of progress.
To hold TO progress today, how
ever. Is more difficult. Dulled
conscience. responsibility and
ruthless self interest already re-
appear. Such symptoms OF prog
perity may become poytents of
disasterl Prosperity already tests
the persistence OF our progressive
purpose.
Let us ask again: Have we
reached the goal OF our vision, OF
that fourth day Of March, 1893?
Have we found our happy valley?
I see great nation, upon a
great continent, blessed with o
great wealth Of natural resources.
Its hundred and thirty million
people are at peace among them
selves; they are making their
; country a good neighbor among
the nations. see o United
States which can demonstrate
that, under democratic methods
Of government, national wealth
can be translated into spread
ing volume Of human comforts
hitherto unknown and the low
est standard Of living can be
raised far above the level Of mere
subsistence.
Challenge TO Democracy
But here b the challenge TO our
democracy: In this nation ] sec
tens OF millions OF It's citizens--a
substantial part Of It's whole
population who ut this very
moment are denied the greater
part Of what the very lowest
standards Of today call the neces-
] stiles OF life.