Emphasizing that “the sons of the United States fight as one though they come from every racial and cultural strain and though they worship at different altars,” President Roosevelt has issued a message, made public here today, calling upon all Americans to participate in the nation-wide observance of Brotherhood Week, arranged by the National Conference of Christians and Jews, which starts on February 20th.
“The annual observance of Brotherhood Week,” the President’s message reads, “is a time both of reminder and dedication, It reminds us of the basic religious faith from which democracy has grown- that all men are children of one Father and brothers in the human family. It dedicates us to the practice of understanding and justice through which freedom and equality flourish in human society.
“While we are engaged in a mighty struggle to preserve our free institutions and to extend the boundaries of liberty in the earth, it is good for us to pledge renewed devotion to the fundamentals upon which this nation has been built. Brotherhood must prevail. Our inescapable choice is brotherhood or chaos.
“On land and sea and in the air, the sons of the United States fight as one though they come from every racial and cultural strain and though they worship at different altars. They are brothers in arms now, soon, pray God, they shall be brothers in peace. We on the home front must see that history shall not repeat itself in post-war hatred and intolerance. It is for us to make the homeland more nearly a land of brotherhood, worthy of the victory our gallant sons and daughters shall surely win.
“I, therefore, heartily join with the National Conference of Christians and Jews and with all forces of good will in our country in urging nation-wide observance of Brotherhood Week, February 20-26, 1944. I hope that our citizens will meet in church and schoolhouse, in halls and public places to think through the implications of practical brotherhood today, to cement our country’s unity during the trying times to come, and to pledge anew allegiance to the flag which is a living symbol of liberty and justice for all.”
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The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
