The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-07-06
Men of Thought and of Action.

There is something about Theodore
Roosevslt'S somments on public affairs
that strike right home to the heart Of
the truth. Instance this from recent
magazine:
1t is not the man who sits by his fireside
reading his evening paper, and saying how
bad our politics and politicians are, who
will ever do anything to save us; it Is the
man who goes out into the rough hurly-
burly Of the caucus, the primary and the
political meeting, and there faces his fell
lows on equal terms. The real service is
rendered, not by the critic who stands
aloof from the contest, but by the man
who enters into it and bears his part as
man should, uudeterred by the blood
and the sweat 1t is pleasant but dan
gerous thing to associate merely with
cultivated, refined men Of high ideals
and sincere purpose to dc right, and to
think that one has done all ones duty
by discussing politics with such asso-
ciates. 1t Is a good thing to meet
men OF this stamp; indeed 1T is a
necessary thing, for we thereby brighten
our ideals, and keep in touch with the peo-
pie who are unseltlsh in their purposes:
but if we associate with such men exclu-
sively we can accomplish nothing The
actual battle must be fought out on other
aud less pleasant fields. The actual ad-
vance must be made in the field Of practi-
cal politics among the men who repre- sent
or guide or control the mass Of the voters,
the men who are sometimes rough and
coarse, who sometimes have lower ideals
than they should but who are capable,
masterful and efficient. IL is only by
mngling on equal terms with such men,
by showing them that one is able to give
and receive heavy punishment without
tiinching, and that one can master the de-
tails OF political management as well as
they can, that it is possible for man to
establish a standing that will be useful to
him in fighting fora great reform.
There is an application Of these wise
words that suggests itself to US in con-
nection with the local movement for a
better observance Of Sunday. The con-
diions of work surrounding the Chris
tian minister are such as tend to dis
qualify rather than qualify him for the
active direction Of delicate and compli.
Gated secular campaigns. No doubt
this should not bs true; but at this
moment, in the great majority of in
stances, it unfortunately is true, and one
might better admit than try ineffec-
tuslly to conceal it. Men to lead men
must mix intimately with them, upon
an equal plane. The minister cannot
do this When he appears, they con.
Sciously or unconsciously. put on their
best behavior. and act differently than
they are:
We have been gladdeued by the re-
organization which has placed this
Sunday closing warfare in the hands
of men skilled in the practice of sscu-
lar competition. They may not have
one whit the advantage Of the min
isters with respect to purity Of inten-
tions; but they are more likely to prove
superior in their knowledge OF methods
and consequences That is not q bad
idea in any business which puts prac.
tical men in charge OF executive work,
leaving scholars and students to fi.lds
of study that have to do oftener with
theories than with facts. Men who
achieve are not of greater value than
men who think; but there is a relative
and mutual usefulness between the
two which should not be unnaturally
disturbed.