The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1897-04-15
Some Rambling Thoughts.
CopyIighted by Memo. ="

Some Rambling Thoughts.
Copyrighted by Memo"
At a moment when thousands of
acres are under water, and stock and
lives in great danger along the Missis
sippi Valley, it is most opportune to
emphasize the old-time statement that
mo man liveth to himself" When
the pioneer OF the empire of free-men,
first swung his axe in the virgin for
ests of the Mississippi basin, by his
strength and by fire he swept away
the obstacles to planting until the
land lay bare under the sky. His need
and his right none will dispute. But
where one led, thousands followed,
each working his will independently
and selfshly, as though no natural
laws were to be considered. The re-
suit we see. Where millions of acres
were once covered by spOngy floor
ing of leaves and the intertwinings of
roots, all uniting to hold back the
waters of the rains and the falling
SHOWS, open fields lie, like spendthrifts
retaining but fraction of the bless
ing showered upon them and prompt
ly needing more. The steadily flow
ing streams of the past becomes now
furious torrents in the spring and dry
water-course in summer. Thought
full men declare that the only remedy
lies in the gradual return Of a decided
portion of the cleared land to a wood
ed condition, or, in, other words they
preach that the dweller on some re-
mote farm, along the banks of even
minor stream has personal response
bility upon him in relation to the
welfare and happiness of the distant
valley-dweller The Mississippi is at
this moment laundering out a lesson
in material mutual dependence, that
is proclaimed less audibly by weeds,
insect-pests, and diseases.
#x*
May we not recall the story of Rob
inson Crusoe, and from this everlast-
ing boys favorite draw a lesson that
is needed more and more to be learned?
Most readers will remember that this
poor castaway, with no hope of any
human eye to observe his faithfulness
never failed to carry out his cOnscien-
tious duties toward his Maker, and it
=, 60 10 1on 1rrN1,lA hoyra
continued to do SO even if no other
human being had ever set foot on his
lonely isle. All the boys-and what
are we men but boys grown older?-
will confess the thrill of interest that
came when Robinson CrusOe suddenly
saw before him a footprint in the
moist sand. As boys our chief inter
est in that footprint was the possible
adventure that it promised to Crusoe,
but, as men, moments thought will
convince us that the discovery of a
fellow creature brought into play for
our hero an entirely new set of re-
sponsibility. Not only was he com
PEELED to understand that his territory
would now have to sustain another,
but there was the possibility that the
other would do no damage to himself
in order to gain complete possession.
His duty to his Creator was not de-
creased, but duty to his fellow was
super-added. In fact, Crusoe and
Friday formed "a state in miniature
and Crusoe had to curb himself III
various ways to display kindness,
good will, tact and unselfishness. We
know how the adventure resulted.
Friday became an orderly and re-
strained neighbors because the right
sort of example was set before him.
1t may be uged that Crusoe was good
to Friday from a selfish motive, but
selfish motive or not, the way in which
Crusoe conducted himself toward
Friday was the only way in which
both could live happily together.
When other people came to the island
Crusoe's responsibility was still more
increased and his duties to his neigh
bors and their duties towards him be-
came more complicated.
~
Now for the application. There is
no such thing as freedom to do as you
please unless YOU live entirely separate