# The Conservative (Lovecraft)/October 1915/Symphony and Stress

Symphony and Stress
A recent article in The Symphony, entitled "Buzzards", condemns the man of "negative" characteristics, incidentally denouncing the critic and the reformer. The psychological characteristics thus revealed in the anonymous author are of even greater interest than the unusual theories displayed. The Symphony is the product of a small circle of cultured ladies, most of them United members, exempt from contact with the world and its sordidness. They agree with the utterance of the author, that in promoting virtue it is best for each person to make himself virtuous, letting his brothers, under the stimulous of mutual encouragement and inspiration, do likewise, rather than to interfere with the habits of others from the outside. As they say, "it's better to begin on the inside and work out"! But have the Family of Symphonics ever pondered on the condition of their inferiors; the sluggish-brained, morally weak lower class of drunkards and degenerates? Symphonics may undoubtedly keep themselves on a high plane through their exalted system of Positive Ideals, but are they satisfied to look down upon a populace steeped in vice, and lacking the intellect to raise itself? Before condemning the reformer, they might well look upon the clean, virile personality of Andrew Francis Lockhart of Milbank, South Dakota, who has succeeded in driving the evils of Rum from his native city. This man has Positive Ideals, ideals as positive in their righteousness as those of any Symphonic, but he has the negative element as well. He not only preaches and practices virtue; he is actively engaged in its extension through the destruction of vice. Threats of death and murderous assaults upon his person are as nothing to him. He sees his duty, and follows it as best he understands it. He has made South Dakota a better state wherein to live; indeed, where could pure-minded idealists live in security, were there not a few vigorous, negative souls who dare to attack corruption a nd clear the way for decency? No, Andrew Francis Lockhart is a reformer, but he is not a "buzzard".
The Symphony is one of the most beautiful of all the semi-professional papers issued by United members. Each issue is perused with the keenest interest and delight by the Conservative, who feels strongly its uplifting influence, and appreciates the uniformly delicate artistry of its tone. But the Conservative also reads another semi-professional journal issued by a United member; Lockhart's Chain Lightning. Here all is different. We read not of happy souls re-purified through wholesome thought; but of drugged, soulless bodies depraved through drink and debauchery, of law bought by depraved criminals, of vice made a municipal institution, of all that fills the mind with aversion and disgust. No elaborate, musical sentences here delight the ear; instead, a fierce, tense, ​colloquialism drives home the ugly truths which we are reluctant to hear, but which, without hearing, we may never comprehend or remedy. Most of these horrors are utterly beyond the realization of the sheltered Symphonics, many of them are beyond the realization of the secluded Conservative; but that they exist, the burning indignation and sincerity of Mr. Lockhart forbid us to doubt. This is a world of wonderful good and unspeakable evil. Let the Family of Symphonics extend throughout the upper realm which gave it birth, but let it forbear too hastily to frown on those noble reforming souls who are willing to imperil their lives, sacrifice their illusions, abandon their happiness, and walk among the vicious and the lowly, oven as did one Man nineteen hundred years ago.