Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1889-05-31
Social Safety is I'm Work.

The history OF the world is "A record
OF extinct nations and OF lost peoples.
Every state and stage OF society is APP
parently environed by self-hmiting
conditions which tend to the eXtormin-
alton or extinguisnment of the forces
and agencies by which it is maintain
ed. Savage life promotes conditions
of bloody warfare, gaunt starvation
and hopeless misery which reduce the
wild tribes to an incessant struggle for
existence. Civilization breeds IA decay
which inevitably saps the foundations
of all national life and social order un-
til they finally fall into irrctrieyable
ruin.
The nationalities which were the
most refined. enlightened, wealthy and
luxurious are those Which have suffer-
ed the most complete eXtinguishmcnt.
The final evolution Of civilization is
rottenness which bears an in lection SO
deadly that the most vigorous OF the
savage tribes fade and wither and die
in its presence. The death OF nations
and the destruction and reconstruction
of human society is about all that his
tory has TO record, and so far as hui
man civilization Of which we are so
accustomed TO boast is concerned, its
mission is suicide for itself and muir
der for the savage races.
All human beings are endowed with
a certain vital force and energy which
mahifests itself in effort OF some sort,
physical or intellectual or both. Some
of this force is OF the nature OF a
surplus vitality over and above what is
absolutely required TO maintain state
of existence, and If stored up and
properly husbanded might avail to
keep up condition of health and
logevity known only in remote anti
guilty, or il expended only in wise and
virtuOus acts might often result in
achievements OF grandeur and nobility
recorded of but few individuals in
modern times
In savage life this physical energy is
expended in the battle for eXistence.
The wild man is like the wild beast.
He is continually filled with anxiety
because he is beset by his enemies on
one hand and by hunger on the other.
He is destitute OF the policy that coul
convert his foes into friends or neu-
trails. and he lacks the wisdom that
would suggest the comfort OF fixed
habitations and Of reliable supplies OF
necessarics. Such a wild life gives no
opportunity for the leisure and luxury
that foster the bascst sensual passions.
and except in the tropical regions
where the natives are enabled TO live
in extreme idlcneSs on the bounty OF
nature. savage man is not addicted to
excessive voluptuousncss and intcmper-
ance. Despite. therefore. all the ex-
traordinarily unfavorabLo conditions 10
which the wild man is exposed. he sue
cumbs only TO the deadly influence OF
civilization.
In the highest civilization which is
coexistent with the highest luxury the
struggle for existence is far less exact
ing upon the physical powers, and
hence more OF the surplus vital energy
remains TO be devoted 10 other objects.
A vast field is open for useful exertion
and another quito as extensive invites
TO the qualification of the senses Man
must do something. The restless
energy within clamors for exercise and
unfortunately in many cases 1T is as
likely TO work evil as good.
1t is this restless and resistless vital
force that is the agent OF so much
wrong-dong when improperly directed.
Take, for example, the modern hood
lum. He does not work, he employs
his energies in nothing valuable They
must have an outlet. He thus becomes
a most dangerous instrument of evil.
He accomplshes in fact all the evil he
can and becomes n most dangerous Zoe
TO social order. Equally damaging 10
the well being Of society is the sensual
ist, the devotee OF luxury His mission
is to destroy himself and every helpless
creature that may fall into his power.
When these rule, the nation is surely
shorn OF It's manhood.
The only safety for society, the only
preservative OF race-power and nation
al integrity is work" If every indi-
vidual during the proper hours OF labor
were fully employed in some useful,
appropriate and fairly remunerative
pursuit there would be little cause for
crime, for the reason that there would
be but little surplus energy TO eXpend
in criminal acts. or course moral aud
intellectual pursuits are embraced in
the necessary occupation. The re-
quirement alone is that there shall be
no time for evil doing, and there would
be none if all were fully and usefully
occupied. But this is impossible. Many
are not compelled TO work Many more
will not, and there remains vast
amount Of surplus energy 10 be applied
TO the destruction of social order. so
that our republic may take its place
among the lost nations, dead through
idleness and luxury. New Orleans
Picayune.