The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1886-01-14
HOBBIES AND THEORIES.

! single luta resolves ltstlI INFO hODDy
No reflection however is intended to be
cast upon men of n single idea, for the
world is indebted to such men for ITS
| largest mental Development and, hobbies
! like theories are evidence of indepen-
dence of thought that is never INDUCED
except under the educational influence of
| free institutions. There are, of COURSE
many theories that are utterly false, and
when such become hobbies they pervert
! intelligence and injure the social and po-
! litical relations of men. Theories that
become agnostic to religion and social
istic in politics are subversive of moral
and political truth. 1t may be question
whether theories and hobbies do
more harm or good to the world.
The entertainment and expression
of theories is an evidence of intelligence.
but the expression of untruthful theories
is much more general than the expression
or publication of true theories, but this is
no evidence that theories are more harm
full than healthful. for the grain is only
secured by winnowing out greater guam
tity of chaf. The PRONUNCIATION of un-
sound theories is an evidence of limited
education and crude and illogical thought
but if in the multiplicity of these theories
one grain of wheat to bushels of chaff is
obtained, then we must conclude, that
habit of mind almost peculiar to peO-
pie, as a whole, in this country. in the
long run, is of benefit to mankind
1t is only through opposition that truth
secures fast and permanent foothold in
the world. If infidelity had never com
manded the services of the most gifted
tongues and pens, orthodoxy would never
have been put upon its mettle to defend
and illuminate religious truth. With
out opposition the sword of the spirit
would have been permitted to rust
in the scabbards of its chosen captains
And thus it is among any intelligent peo-
pie, while there are numerous false theO-
ries, their publication eicits favorable
expression of truth that not only dissi-
pates the fog, but leaves the world in
light of intelligence.
The great difficulty with educators is to
get pupil or people to think. In fact
very few men have the mind under such
obedience to the will, that any time the
will is able to use the mind. Just as an en-
gineer uses a locomotive. But the multi
plicity of theories among the American
people shows that, rs "A people, they have
decided individuality, and think for them !
selves. 1t is best for people to think and |
'eason, even if they think and reason err
than not to think at all; for err
onoous reasoning will be corrected. and !
he man is bigot if we will not be
improved under the argument of his
opponent, and the result is the iirmer es- |
ablishment of truth.
The reading world has no idea how nu-
nerous theories are. 1t is only an editor
'ho is acquainted with the fact that they
re as numerous as blackberries in the
ummer.
Nearly every man who has the slightest
terary taste tries his hand at some the
ry, that with him has run into hobby,
nd the editor is entrusted with his manu-
cript, which, in nine cases out of ten. never
ees the light of day, but is tenderly pre-
erved by him and carefully returned to
IS author, for il is as dear to him ms his
rst-born, and woe to the unlucky pub
cist that consigns it to the waste basket.
hus the publicist is compelled to winnow
great quantity of chat to find an occa-
onal grain of wheat, and however nu-
ferrous the theorists may be he is the
My one generally afflicted with their lu-
lbrations.
There are some theories that are made !
rofitable, even if they are erroneous.
We have before us a proposition to pur-
lase detective story which" in the
nguage of the publisher, will explain
Ie murders which have occurred in your
ty, on an original theory" The writer
this fiction with ian original theory
inks that he has 1.-The bull by the horns"
Id asks only the moderate price of So e
IT it. There is sometimes truth in fic-
on, but we feel certain that if we pur-
lased We would not be served with IAN
iginal theory" for we have already had
e whole ground of theory occupied by p
If own theorists, and if there is anything o
the theory of our speculative cores o
'ndent he can make more out of it, than -
turning it into fiction. The reward is a
'ge, much more than he can sell the "
cory for. Let him submit his original u
cory TO the city marshal, and he may n
eep in the stakes. We like theories, {
1t we have no disposition to bait hook t
TN six dollars To catch this one. q
As this country grows in size our con :,
essional sessions win have to be length d
ed out, so as to last III the year round Il