American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1872-04-27
FAIR PLAY.
BY GAN OLD BOY"

My Dear Fred: Perhaps it's hardly fair
in gossippy letter like this, addressed to
fresh-hearted boy like yourself-perhaps
it's hardly fair to quote from ponderous
philosophical writer such as Plato. But
do you know really believe Plato was
once boy himself, and real live boy at
that? don't suppose he ever played
1.-THE national game" or even the old
New England ''field-base," or the lively
Western town-ball-games that were freer
and funnier, according to my thinking,
than the sitter baseball that has grown
out of them 1 don't think Plato ever
knew that most royal of Western games,
bull-pen, or that he ever played ''cat."
or shiny" or "hat-ball," or "mumble
the peg" Those poor heather Greeks
had nobody to teach them anything of
that sort. And yet shouldn't wonder,
if we had a history of all their plays, if
we should find the rudiments of our own
among their ''lost arts" Perhaps Plato
did toss jack stones on the beach at the
Piraus and play hop-scotch in the Agora.
Who knows! At any rate, he must have
pitched quoits with the best of them, and
they tell us that his master in the arts of
running, wrestling and boxing, did not
call him by his proper name, Aristocles,
but Plato, that is, "the broad" because
he was so broad shouldered, and excelled
SO much in athletic pursuits. At any
rate, am sure he played right heartily,
and think have vindicated my right to
quote from the great Plato in writing to
you and to boys of your age. He seems
to have been thoughtful about his plays.
1t is first-rate sign of the coming of a
first-rate man when a boy is thoughtful in
regard to boyish pursuits. Plato speaks
in two different places about the influence
of plays on youth. He says that if boy
plays lawfully, he will live according to
law. And again in his " Republic he
says that he would have all the children
taught to play according to the strict laws
of the game. For, he says, they would
then get a fixed habit of observing proper
restraints.
Now, do you know think he is right.
Fair play in play is the foundation for fair
play in life. To play unfairly is to steal.
By the rules of the game, you have GER
tain rights. These rights, like all rights,
are of the nature of property. If you take
the slightest advantage to which you are
not entitled, you are to that eXtent-well,
thief is a hard word to use. But I will
let you or any other conscientious boy say
what one is who takes that which does
not belong to him, and thus infringes on
the rights of another.
The boy who plays fairly is sure to
L
like to say that they boy who plays I'M
fairly will grow to be rogue. But will
say that the boy who takes unfair advan-
tages in game shows weak moral ma
ture and cannot be depended on in
pinch. Some years ago l was playing
croquet with a college President. When
his ball was likely to go into bad posi-
ton, he would thrust out his foot or his
mallet and stop it. Then he would beg
Il,
the ball would have lodged, giving him
self the benefit of all doubts. l have
never been able to trust him fully since
that time. l am afraid he is what you
would call ''tricky," that he would give
himself the benefit of all doubts in any
collision with his conscience.
Some of these days, when you are
older, you will be falling in love and get
ting married. Let me give you one bit of
counsel while think of it. Never let
your fancy fix itself upon lady who an
adrertenty drags her skirts over the GRO
quet balls in order to better her position.
am afraid such a woman is not truth |
full, and truthfulness is the prime quality |
in man or woman.
Sometimes people of an overflowlng /
love of fun violate the rules OF the game, |
not for the sake of winning, but from |
They enjoy the crafty, |
teasing, adventurous exploit. Bat you |
will see how demoraliZing even tins ten
dency may be. We have no right to get |
fun at the expense of our Hcighbors. All
purchased at eomebodys else
cost is-weli, must say it's amusement |
gained dishonesty. I like to see boy |
With the highest sense of gentlemanly
honor, a boy that would scon to do the
least little mean thing, not from lear mat
will sec it, not even from lear
that God will see but from fear that he
will see it himself. Your own honest
good opinion of Yourself is of more mn
portance to you than the opinion OF any
BODY else. began by quoting the phi
osopher Plato. Let me end by quoting
Ihe apostle Johr,
"For if our heart condemn us, GOD Is
greater than our heart, and knoweth all
hings Beloved, if our heart condemn
is not then have we confidence toward
God
So | say, Fred. TO you and all boys, in
,oyhood and manhood, PLAY FAIRLY
'kartH and Home.