The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-09-14
AN AMERICAN WEAKNESS.
From the Altoona Tribune.

From the Altoona Tribune.
The habit of reckless assertion Is one
that is widely spread and has done mucn
harm in its time. The disposition to
complain with ones lot, whatever II may
be, and to compare it with some mythical
blessed time in the past is equally preva-
lent and equally vicious. There are men
who have become so accustomed to say
ing vicious things about others and
ErlIlnbling about their lot that it Is
sort of second nature to them to but
tOnhole others and pour out the stream
of pessimistic thoughts that burden tltcir
brain. IT these persons can find nCth-
ing in their individual experience over
which to mourn they will weep over the
woes of Others the shortcomings of tho
peoples servants and the decadence of
public spirit.
The inveterate grumbing of the aver
ago American does no particular harm so
long as it refers exclusively to his per-
sonal affairs. 1t makes him an unplcas-
ant companion sometimes, ard there arc
moments when it may do gross injustice
to the citizens against whom he rails,
but until he enters the larger arena OF
public life and begins to throw dirt at
conspicuous public characters the world
hecds him not. His excavations of pub
lie men affect two classes-the young and
that certain public character is a thief
and the companion of thieves is very
much surprised at the prominent posi-
tion held by the alleged thief and at
the number of leading citizens who are
his partisans, He has confidence III
his newspaper, never dreams that 1t is
blinded by prejudice or something worse,
and the result is that he Is soon on the
way to become a cynic. The inhabitant
of Europe is led to believe that the Amer
lean people, through some strange freak,
are in the habit of filling their offices
with criminals. He could not be cN-
pected to think otherwise. Not under
standin" the peculiar eccentriciteS or
American journalism, he accepts its
ataments concerning American public
men as correct Then he goes into the
company of his fellows and shakes his
head sadly as he points to the condition
of the American republic, as described ny
its newspapers, as a terrible illustration
of the failure of popular government.
As a matter of fact there is no govern
ment on earth which taxes its people less
heavily than the American republic; no
country whose public servants, as class,
are more courteous, efficient and faith
full; no country in which there is so little
heart-breaking poverty; no country in
which the laws are more impartially ad-
pronounced; no country in which the
workingman is so independent and his
home SO comfortable. To be sure, this
Is not the conception of the demagogue
but il is the true one, as the census
and other returns indicate. Isn't it time
| that sensible and patriotic citizens recog-
| nize the truth and turn the cold shoulder
| to the chronic defamer of his country 5
good name? There has been terrible
exhibition of the national popularity
during the last few weeks in connection
with the sufferings of our army in Cuba
and the home camps. The facts show
| that there was room for criticism, but
| they also show that the reckless ani
malignant manufacturer of colossal false
| hoods was likewise on the ground, and
| that his untruths have inflamed the pub
| lie temper. We are likewise about 10
| engage in an animated political cam
paign in this state in which the weapons
| of detractior are likely to be used. Wise
| citizens will do well if they resent such
methods.