The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1894-12-01
u THISTLES.


>Bluntness and the thorn are both unit.
ed in the tumble-weed pest. Once
transported from the uncultured shores
of the Russian bear and heedlessly
dropped upon the open-hearted, pleas
ant-tempered soil of free America, 1t
asks no tavors and shows no considera-
ton. With Czar-like disregard OF our
feelings and our rights; our labors, and
u cherished hopes; it bluntIy takes
possession of the ripenlng fields. Then,
with brlstling self-sutficiency and sting
ing rudeness as it's sole apology, it seeks
to drive both the farmer and his honest
team from the ground which they have
plowed and sown. Could anything be
more unreasonable? But, alb! 1t does
not reason. Hence it's bluntuess. Hence
it's thorR. Hence, too, the mischief it
works.
Now, the above is what some unable
to read otherwise than backward or
down" in a very abnormal way, might
stretch a point in photography and
call "a "~cryptogram." But, read from
left to right, 'in the normal way" and
between the lines, in the thoughtful
way, we claim for it the more ccurste
name of metaphor.
One does not have to import BRAN
bles from back. woods settlements, nor
thlstles from beyond the seas, in order
to learn that bluntness and sharp prac-
tiee may coexist and working together
bring unhappiness TO men. We make
no superior claim to inoffensiveness for
ourselves. We present the shoe for
whomsoever it may fit. And, we have
no particular instance in mind. We on
ly aim to enunciate a general principle.
But we do say bluntly, and with pointed
meaning, that one undesirable feature,
in some quarters at least, OF our present
status as a community is a lack OF deli
cate consideration for tho feelings and
the rights of others. No man liveth IN
TO himself, says the good book. And
the methods Of the tumble weed thistle
can never be successfully imported into
the peaceful dealings of men with men
not even in Russia. Much less so un-
der the stars aud stripes, which float
everywhere and always for freedom.
never for license.
When, in the exercise of this freedom
one among us has acquired wealth, or
high position; or, through the freedom
OF choice, others have appointed him to
a specific duty, he is by no means free to
say in his heart, My power-and the
might Of mine hand hath gotten me this:
and, so thinking, togo ahead with the
accomplishment of the thing proposed
as though it were exclusively his own
concern. |
Ii all were thistles, the case would be |
slmplltied. The rule that might makes
right would prevail. But happily we are
yet, for the most part, good honest wheat
and corn. And many besides are tender
plants, u others budding flowers whose
i~nnocency and loneliness we would shell.
ter from rude assault and baneful con-
tamination with that which threatens SO
soon to destroy their natural grace and
charm. Whether in the relations of the
home circle, the bushes IDEAL" the pub
INC Office, or the social confidence, ac-
lions done without due consideration for
The interests Of those with whom we
leai' bring a heavy strain upon the
forbearance of those who suf-
OF tue consequences of our want of
l.0dgttfulness. Or, that source of
being absent, they result in
recriminations, or a Easty brood
Il baby thistle vows secretly cherished
until the opportunity ripens for re-
venge.
Let there be cultivated amoLg US q
more manful fellow-feeling, a tender re-
gard for the delicate sensibilities of re-
fined self-reepect and then both refine
mentxnd self-respect will flourish i'm
our midst. The Needless action which,
just because Of its bluntness, is yet often
as a very poniard to the heart, will be-
come a barbarism unknown among our
children. c..