The Democrat. (Scotland Neck, Halifax Co., N.C.) 1884-1896, 1896-03-05
LIVE QUESTIONS.
a Series of Articles Contributed to Thee
Columns by Advanced Thinkers.

NUNBEP EI-PRAcTI~Ar. EEAsrRES TO
MAINTAIN SELF RESPECTING MANHOOD.
To maintain self respecting manhood
should be Of paramount importance to
an enlightened goverument, and while
] am profoundly convinced that radical
and fundamental reforms, which com
Drehcnd the abolition IT class privileges
ard special legislation, are essential 10
the solution # the great problems which
are now pressing upon the intelligence
and conscience Of oar civilization, yet
fully realize that = peacaably accom-
plish these splendid urphs for 4 high
er manhood, viii require patient, ear
nest and persistent education and agita-
ton which viii stir to its Gepth the con
science OF tie people. But this gill nee
essarily require time, and during this
period wise craftsmanship 10 less than
true philanthropy demands that practi-
cable, palliative measures be vigorously
pushed. One Of the most real and i'm
minent perils which face the govern
ment today is tho gradual loss Of hope
and the spirit Of Independence among
multi des of our people, due to adver-
sity and unjust conditions, which are
Transforming yearly large number Of
our citizens from sturdy, independent,
self supporting individuals to objects OF
charity or tramps I hold that it Is i'm
possible to too strongly emphasize tho
fact that anything which lowers tho es
sentiaI manhood or takes AN i0ta from
the self respect Of the humber citizcus
is very real injury to the whole peo-
pie. The UNDECIDED cry for work, which
is tho cry Of self respecting manhood
and is tho antipodes Of an appeal for
charity, is imbittering thousands OF
American citizens, while il is forcing
other thousands into environments of
moral death; it is resulting in driving
numbers Of men, women and children
to drink, crime, suicide and immortality
And these iTreparablo calamities may,
to Il certain extent, be avertCd K orr ma
tion, our states and municipalities
awake TO the Importance q maintaining
or restoring the manhood Of citizenship
and holding the Loyalty Of Ito people by
bands woven Of love and wisdom.
IL view of these facts, any measures
of a practicable, common sense char
acter which restores sell respecting
manhood. sEonld receive the cordial
support of thoughtful ana earnest men
and women. Perhaps tho most striking
illustratioa OF this character which has
been introduced il recent years IS the
famous innovation iIauGurated by
Mayor Fingrce q Dedoir It would
seoiG almost i.1o.a llll1 5;,15 50 gractioe.-
BILE, common sense ana reasonable q
plan as tliat outlined ~ II. Pingree I
should have received tho general ridi- I
cule, contcmpJ anl opposition which it
encountered IL Mas treated Il FIRST as a
huge joke or something TOO absurd and |
amusing for serious Thought, while per
sons who were dispensing charity, with I
ont stimulating men and women to .
work and REGAIN a grip on iifo, were
being applauded by an untbinking cen
venticnalisin. The result Of Mayor
Pinsrea's o4ineatiy practicable meas
ures, however. - far exceeded the most
san9ui!a expectations OF those who APP
preciated the wisdom q lis plan tnat
New York ani Inauy ,,.cr cj,ias have
already iliGugurato9 Ito Detroit plan,
and perhaps over those 1,n0 frs Ii5li-
culed the Ping-so Potato Tatc;l' may
be Interested III the following facts re-
lating 20 tire magnificent rcsults-eyen
when considered from superficial point
of viev-which have attended the ex-
=
Detroit and during the past year in New
York city.
The vintar Of 1884 found great
Of laboring n1en and women in
Detroit, as in every other city Of the
Union, vainIy seeking work and finally
driven TO ask for charity, while nam
bers CT persons who had hitherto been
self respecting, independent, har3voril-
ing mel, finally abandoning he hope OF
employment, became t-amps.
The mayor of Deroi5 did not believe
the popular cGn5 that anybody who de-
sired work could obtain It. tt felt con
fldent that :. l..-ge percentage Of those
who We're sinking into tho Dead sea of
want and becoming hopeless paupers
Or confirmed t~alnrs Were being reduced
TO these most pitiabIe conditions through
inability TO obtain work, and holding
these convictions he determined to put
the question to 4 practical test.
Within the area Of Detroit there Were
over 5000 acres Of land lying idle, much
Of which Vas tillable, and Mayor Pin :
gree and his conlreres petitiouea She :
holders Of this land T. permit those who
were willing to work 10 use it, and in {
this manner rcduco the great outlay ;
which the city and individuals were be- {
inS put to IL order to support the starry {
ing ''0nt Cf works. Tho land was
promptly secured. Tho next problem {
vas to raise sufficient funds to blow. {
barrow aud sake Of tie lots Toy the an !
oicant5 e purchase seed. Owing to the S
absurd opposition, the lidiculo and con t
e1npJ offered ca every hand to this wise
ND common sense proposition, n0 aid ]
,oGid 10 expected FROM the city council, 3
2ut $1,000 was raised by Subscription. {
Ibis enabled tie committee appointed $
% cary on the work in limited way. t
and go families We're given portions Of {
and TO til, although tie applicants who t
ies1red 70 tEas earn a livelihood were t
ar greater ii number than tie commit s
&c We're able t. accommodate. The val t
Re OF the ci.GD raised hv tho favored :,