The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1897-01-14

THEODORE ROOSEVELT has an article
in the January Review of Reviews
the text of which is letter written
him by Thomas Watson mildly taking
exception to some structures offered
in previous article by Roosevelt on
Watson's political course. Roosevelt
pays Watson a high compliment so
far as his purpose is concerned, but
insists it is not the right way to rem
edy distress by preaching the doctrine
of discomfort.
There Is much of truth in what
Roosevelt says. Nor can it be doubt
ed that Watson honestly believes the
line of policy he advocates would
prove beneficial to the masses. 1t is
likewise certain that large majority
of those constituting the populist par
ty believe that the doctrines they
preach would rebound to the public
good if adopted. But they are made
the tools of designing men.
NO reform was ever instituted if
its corner stone was prejudice. To
teach that the man who is successful
is to be hated is to teach that persist
ent effort, industry and frugality are
vices and that personal ambition is to
be discouraged, The work of reform,
If 1t is to be successful, must be pro
secuted with the instruments at hand
No community was ever made better
by sudden revolution, and no man was
ever fired by manly resolution
TO better his circumstances by repin-
ing at his lot and giving heed to the
teachings that his distress is wholly
due to causes outside himself. When
man rallies his own forces and makes
them active in his own behalf. he
seldom finds it necessary to demand
that the progress of his neighbor be
checked SO as to preserve equality.
He can do more by exercising his own
forces than he can by an attempt to
hinder others from acquisition so that
IN the general distribution of what
chance gives, his share may be in
creased. Improvement in society
comes through the improvement Of
the individual.
1t Is far better for those who as
sumo the role of teacher to give
greater prominence to the need of in
dlvldual effort i'll gaining a livelihood
and securing right, than in calling
attention to the wrongs inflicted bv
those who have the capacity and in
dustry which command success. Fail
ure to do this was the chief evil of the
campaign of 1896 as conducted by the
silver democrats. Discomfort was
preached. There was cause for the
discomfort but it was made an ele
ment of hostility. The public is like
child. The child who is taught that
the source of every trouble which af
tllcts him is outside himself is sure to
become spoiled, and spoiled public
is much more dangerous than a spoil |
ed child.
There are many things in our gov
eminent, many things in social life |
and IN business relations which are in
need Of remedy. But it is not the |
best way for each element to hold it |
self blamelesss. No one but a Enave
or fool will insist that our currency |
IS not badly in need of reform. But |
Remuneration, implanting prejudice are |
poor agencies of reform. No one will |
deny that labor needs some shield
against the oppression of consolidated |
capital; but the labor agitator who
would cripple capital and Undue labor
with hate is not the man to prescribe
what form protection against invasion
Of rights should take.
1t Is better course to warn people
against their own faults than il is to
nfiame them against those of others.
No man is made better by having his
attention constantly called to the harm
others are doing.