The real great question facing America is, what is the purpose of America? Why was America founded and what is America's mission? Does the strength of America lie in the developing of material things or the developing of human beings?

Property Or People

Although many adventurers came to America in the early days in search of things, the real settlers came for the opportunity of self-expression and freedom in development. They were not primarily interested in cutting down forests, developing mines, or catching fish. Their chief assets were their children, and it was to bring up these children in the way they should go that the parents came to America. Furthermore, this applies to the Catholics who settled in Maryland and to those who settled in Virginia and other southern states, as well as to the Pilgrims who settled in New England.

As the nation became more prosperous, we began to lose sight of our original purpose; namely, the development of men. We became absorbed in the development of things. We forgot that our ancestors came to America to give little children a chance. Instead of giving them a chance, we thrust them into mines and mills. We made property of more value than human life, and industry of more importance than spiritual growth.

In the early days, the white-steepled church on the public green was the most important edifice in the town, and the preacher at the church was the leading citizen of that community. As wealth increased, a great factory building became the most important structure and the president of the bank usurped the place of the preacher. This is not said in the way of criticism. Such a trend is only natural, and all of us have done our part in this turning from the faith of our fathers.

Swing The Pendulum The Other Way

Just because we have gone far in the wrong direction, this is no reason why we should not stop and get started in the right direction again. The same conflict between men and goods rages to-day in the United States as raged in Europe centuries ago when America was founded. There is no reason why we should not free ourselves from existing circumstances as did our forefathers in the olden days. Most of us started out by being interested in man. In the heat of the economic struggle we have forgotten man. We are striving now only to increase output, develop foreign trade, build up bank deposits, and make our cities bigger and busier. But we know that the bigger and busier our cities become, the more filth, the more sickness, the more crime, and the more unhappiness may be generated. Yes; we, like our ancestors, are faced with the question whether henceforth we shall seek to develop men or develop industries.

No Place For Sentimentality

Do not think that these words are written from a sentimental point of view. They constitute no brief for socialism, unionism, or any of the other isms that are supposed to benefit humanity. All such institutions have a common character. They are useful to a certain extent; but as they become big and powerful, the good is lost sight of.

Labor unions, for example, started with the best of intentions to put a greater value on men than on things. As these unions increased in power, however, some began to discourage industry, initiative, intelligence, incentive, and even, in some instances, integrity. A few put a premium on indolence, indifference, inefficiency, and the like. When this point is reached, the labor unions cease to be a factor in the developing of men and actually result in retarding that development.

Every right-minded citizen must back up the Government in its determination to maintain law and order. Even if the wage workers have a real grievance, this does not atone for crime. Wage workers as well as employers should be servants of the entire community and not of any one group. But something more than legislation and soldiers is necessary to keep them such. We who give employment must act in a way that will command the loyalty and respect of our employees. Wage workers are loyal to us only as we are loyal to them. Our employees trust us only as we trust them.

What Bothers Me

During a certain labor trouble, I went into one of Boston's largest banks with some securities. Marching up and down in front of the bank were soldiers with rifles. Not only that, but a negro porter sat in a chair within the door with a belt of cartridges carelessly put around his neck like a string of beads. Everything was guarded as if this were the most sacred spot in America. After leaving the bank I visited a Washington Street jewelry store, in order to exchange an electric lamp. Here the same procedure was going on, though on a smaller scale. Guards were walking back and forth with guns on their shoulders and belts full of cartridges. Mind you, one should not criticize these soldiers. Most of them were serving at distinct personal sacrifice. They were simply obeying the law.