Evening journal., 1901-10-25
A GREGARIoUs ANIMAL

educated man may find in himself the
means for his own entertainment, but
while it may be true OF one in thou
sand. that is the extent Of the rule.
lie likes to mingle with a crowd and
then TO write descriptions OF his loneli-
ness there. OF course, some men deny
this. but then their definitions OF a
crowd differ. Some declare that on GER
tain occasions three make a crowd.
II may be presumed that his ten
dency to flock with others OF the same
feather is inspired by a desire for pleas
ant social intercourse, but this is not
necessarily the case; the prospect of
a wrangle suits him equally we'll and
even better. Perhaps his tendency is
no more to be explained than that Of a
sheep that has an instinct that impels
It TO seek It's fellows.
This impulse makes for both good
and evil 1t made the village store
a success, and is the cause Of flourish
ing saloons. Every nation has its par
lament or pow-wow, not so much be-
cause OF the necessity Of laws, as from
the desire TO swap ideas, TO play poll
tics and engage In diverting wrangles.
Every class or trade has its organi-
zation and it's convocatlons, from
chambermaids TO senators. Privacy in
human affairs has grown almost obso-
lote, and only applies to the few mo-
,ments when our eyes are closed in
sleep.
We inveigh against the corporation
and magnify the Individual, but this is
only a pleasing self-deception, for we
patronize the trust and give the indi-
vidual the barren husks of our sym
pathy. We cannot belong to a suffi-
cient number OF organizations, and we
pay men Well to create new ones. A
man finds no difficulty in leaving his
wife six nights out of the week and
meeting with his friends in the club
or lodge, spending the time in gossip
or idle political talk Some men be-
long TO 50 many clubs and orders that
they have 10 keep catalogue of their
engagements.
The same principle pervades al,
ranks of life. and applies to every HUI
man interest. Politicians have their
caucuses and conventions; business
men their conferences and corporation
meetings Religion and charity apply
the same rule. and even the man who
wishes to take his own life cannot so
of in solitude and tie himself up, but
must form a suicides club. There was
once a time that when a man wanted
to bestow charity. he sought out his
object and extended a helping hand.
Now this is considered in bad form.
He must meet with his fellows, and re-
solve and CRATE till it has been gotten
into proper shape And while church
organizations are doubtless necessary,
yet t is generally held that one cannot
be really good unless he practices and
proclaims his virtue in company with
his fellow mortals.
Love-making may be regarded as an
exception, as it is presumed that the
i tender passion cannot flourish in pub
lie. but the dances and receptions SO
much priced by the victims of the lit
tie god are an evidence to the contrary
u And we do not have our Old maids
conventions and our bachelors clubs
And are these not a constant menace x
, single felicity?
N We witness the tendency in politica
b life; most men want to go where mos
men are to be found. and the solitar!
party man is pointed at with scorn, ant
the faithful few upholding a cause ar,
, held up to ridicule. Many men hal
; rather be connected with a party o
. large numbers, even though its 7rinei
. pies are wrong, than TO be in a minor
Y lily. under the consciousness that the.
D were right A Prohfbitionist is sub
e ject for mirth. solely because he ha
few to stand with him. To be a resi-
dent OF a great city is somehow re
garded as an honor. while the intell
n gent countryman is jeered at and calle
Il Reuben"
yl Yes; man is gregarious; possibly b'
lie cause many have not the courage
N do their own thinking or to form the
10 own habits. but must rely upon u
! mass for their opinions and their col
duct Others are too cowardly to star
IS alone. Even a Thoreau must leave u
en- hannts OF solitude and return 10 civil
h. zation; which means that he must mi
be gle with the mob.
nh Until recendy the feminine man d
n much to dlscredit the gregarious tn
CRY. She confined the tendency. at ,
events. TO attendance at church, al
e. occasional Dissipation at picnics. B
ed lately she has discovered her sphe'
n and 20. it is that Of man. She has ,
'ly tablished her clubs; the monster ,
nd paItment stores were built and endu