The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1898-05-05
DEBTOR OR CREDITOR?
A Social Trial Balance of Accounts Be
tween the Individual and the Mass.
Paper Read Before the Chautauquo Circle. ]

We can not question the fact that
the mutual relationship between soci-
ETY. and it's individual members, con-
stitutes the most difficult, complicated
and peculiar educational problem in
life. Society-social conditions-all
that vast, complicated machinery
erected by human ingenuity, the prod
uct of countless brains through many
centuries, and with all the lines of
force inherent to it, directed upon the
individual of the present. On the other
hand, one brain, one body, it's longest
half of life passed in immaturity, with
out knowledge of, or experience in
society or social conditions. What
does the unit owe the mass? What
does the mass owe the unit? The in
dividual is the product of society;
society is the product of individuallsm;
action and reaction. To whom is due
the greater debt? The individual is
the product of generation; society, of
centuries. Does the product of gen
GRAFTON owe more to its producer than
the generation owes to the product
realized? What is the aim of the mass
What is the aim of the individual ?
Are these aims Identical? If not, why
not? How can they become SO?
Does the method by which each pur-
sues this aim tend to bind them closer,
each to the other, or is the coherent
condition the result of circumstances
and conditions rather than of desires
or intentions? How and why?
If individual existence means abso
lutte liberty, and social existence limited
liberty, why should the individual sur
render a minimum of liberty, of rights,
to obtain the maximum of possible,
though unassured protection? Having
done so, fulfilling my part, does, or
will the mass fulfill it's part? If not,
why not? How can the contract be
enforced by the individual as against
the mass? Or, if there is no contract,
what right has the mass to assume as
existing contract not in existence
If the contract is assumed as existing,
if the mass can demand and secure its
"pound of flesh' why does, and by
what right does it add the "drop of
blood" in its own favor?
If the mass fails to fulfill its promise
to me, am l legally or morally bound
to continue fulfilling my contract with
it? And, if not how shall l proceed to
make void the contract? Assume,
even, that l have the right to annul the
contract, lack the might The might
lies with the mass. might makes
right" If 1 have no right to sunder
the contract, then society admits its
own foundations imperfect. For it
today rests upon and lauds those who,
now dead, succeeded in doing what it
declares false and criminal for me to
do. Washington, Napoleon and others,
ad infiitum, were rebels against pre-
existing social life, it's laws and usages.
Where then lies the line of distinction
All yes! They succeeded! So, then, if
the individual sewers the one sided
contract existing as between society
and the unit, opposes the social order,
then in order that wrong shall become
right, 'tis only necessary to succeed
He becomes savior, patriot, a
"father of his country" if he win; a
Benedict Arnold," a pariah if he lose.
Again, if my line of conduct differs
from that followed by the mass, may
be wrong. 1 am mortal! "To err is
human" Yet, if l fail, having only
finite judgment, how can 1 be assured,
or assume the mass more perfect? 1t
contains the component qualities of