The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1880-12-31
THE HUMAN CRAwFIsH.

Many persons stand as negations to
all progress. Ingrained in their mental
constitution is the negative principle
which sets them in opposition to every
movement in society which does not
happen to accord with their pre-estab-
lished notions of how things should be
done. To find fault seems to be their
chief end and aim through life. Always
! carping, but never doing, is the sum to-
tai of their faith and works. People
often ask themselves the question why
such creatures were ever made, and then
upon reflection, wisely argue themselves
into the belief that nothing is ever made
| in vain, unless il be this special class of
the human family. However lightly we
may feel inclined to pass over this sub
| iect, it nevertheless has Its attractions
which, as developed phase of the hu-
man character, is not devoid of interest
They are mental and moral dyspeptics
They never see good quality in any ac-
ton, and never fail TO see bad one
Such continually sing that the world is
| growing fast from bad to worse, getting
! wickeder and not wiser. Slight faults
are magnlfied often hundred fold. Not
unfrequently such fancieS take hold of
them and hold them SO firmly that they
| give credence to the most absurd state
ment, and become fully persuaded
of the reality of the most fantastic
| decisions. Progress, such as they be-
lieve in and advocate, is in an op-
posite direction from that in which hu-
manity is moving. To make progress,
the printing press should be abolished
unless it publish the microscopic theory
of the reactionists. Preaching with such
| is deiusion, unless the minister is al
ways as cold, as calm, and as sanctimo-
NOUS as "a town pump" Scientific
knowledge, too, is great discomfort.
Schools and schooling are all wrong be-
cause they make people dissatisfied with
their condition in life. Ignorance is
happiness and wisdom is folly. Ignorance
with them is the promoter of virtue and
also prevents crime. They catch at straws
and are weighted down with feathers
Had one been present when God made
man he would have suggested that man
ought to walk backward instead of for
ward. To accommodate the world to his
whims, he would make day night, and
send frost in July. Above rulers and
judges he places his own judgment and is
| stronger in his own conceit than twenty
men who can give a reason. Times and
seasons may vary, but his judgment
is unerring, because he always knew
''the calf would eat the grind
stone" Where does this strange Great
ure live? We answer, that samples may
! be found in almost every community.
Fossilized though they may be, and
practically dead so far as all uses are
! concerned, yet the clay that has been
lent them for a season is animated by the
soul within. While here in this life,
they serve their purpose, first by show
ing the antagonistic side of human ma
ture. and second, by giving striking IL
lustration of how small and narrow the
mental caliber of some persons is. AT
ter all. they are objects Of pity, because
| of their persisten; blindness: but it
would take a stroke much more powerful
than the one received by ST. Paul. 10
knock the scales from their eyes They
need 10 be saved from themselves and
SO mote il be-KansasCiiy Journal