River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1874-10-09
Indifference.


est, and, in feeling at least, take sides,
There is no such thing as neutrality,
where the contest amounts to anything.
We have often heard the story of the
sold woman" who beheld the fight
between her husband and the bear, de-
claring all the while that she was indif-
ferent as to the result; yet, in her muir
muring prayer she asked God TO help
hs bear, providing the result was at all
uncertain. 1t should be remembered,
however, that she was an interested
party. Having, as no doubt she did,
another victim in her eye, self interest
forbade her being disinterested observ-
er.
There are instances where VIC can oc-
cupy nearly neutral ground. Take the
case of Beecher, for instance, aud many
very many-profess Indifference.
And yet the thing is impossible. First,
there is feeling of sympathy and re-
spect for Mrs. Tilton that forbids con-
domination, in any thing like refined
minds, without very strong proof of
guilt, Notwithstanding the fact that "the
Great Preacher" coldIy shoyes her one
side-even among the harlots-and
tells an uncharitabie world that "she
thrust her affections on him aasoHgM."
And this is most assuredly "the un-
kindest cut Of all, !" and goes farther in
the estim alton of the world to. condemn
him than all the statements" of Tilton
and Mouton. Why, we ask, should he
make Mrs Tilton a football to be
kicked around the world by both Infdel
and Christian?
But it is not of Beecher or Tilton
that we intended to write. We only
design to show that there is no such
thing as positive indifference in men or
women, in regard to any matter Of pub.
lie interest. While person may take
neutral ground-take no active part
neither say or do any thing on one side
or the other, there is still lurking de.
Tsire to see one party or the other come
ost triumphant This desire is some
times the result of our interest-some-
times Of our prejudice, aud sometime;
of our predictions.
Again, our choice is often the result
Of extraneous circumstances over which
We have no control. For instances: =
Two men may be running for the same
Office, and there is really no issue Of
principle at stake. In fact, it is a mat.
ter Of dollars and cents in the salary
that's all. They are friends, and you
are equally friendly to both, and you
say you are indifferent" Is it posi-
bic? 1t may be. But let one party
or his friends attack the other, or com.
merce hacking away at HIM in rough
iusolent manner, and how quickly you
indifference is transformed into activ,
sympathy. This is human nature tn,
void over, and the great wonder to III
is the fact that people do not see 1t, aDG
act accordingly.
We have been forcibly reminded Of
this principle in human nature by the
result of elections after holly contest ed
campaigns. Mark it when and where
you will, you will increase the number
of any mans friends by constantly
pitching into him. Many man has
arisen from obscurity to fame, just be,
cause he was literally punched out Of
that obscurity by the newspapers
And, here let us say that there is moth
ing more disgusting to the reading pub
lie than constant clamor about some
one individual, and nothing is better
calculated to make friends for him.
And this, too, is upon the principle that
there is no such thing as positive indif-
ference in regard to men, or their sue.
cess or failure
The lesson we would impart is this
IF you would succeed in your plans
let others alone; bull Id up, but do moi
attempt to tear down, since by so doing
you are wasting precious time which
should be used for a better purpose
If by a single blow you can lay tn,
building OF your antagonist level with
the dust, 10 1t by all means; but If you
are always at work at it, anl never sue
coed, you will have no time to build
structure or a reputation for yourself