The times., 1901-03-10
Two Types of Reformer.

be satisfied if something less evil happen
Two Types of Reformer.
In recent book on the literature of
the Hebrews, Lyman Abbott makes a
point which is worth the attention of the
general public, even those who are not
particularly interested in Hebrew ltera-
ture. He says:
Thinkers may be roughly divided into two
great CLASSES. one of which lays emphasis ON
truth the otber organization. The first, hN-
ing its attention on truth, iorgets that TO be
efficient in society truth must be embodied; the
second fixing its attention the medlating
organization. iorgetS the truth which alone can
yitaiize it,
In this DR.. Abbott has stated. briefly and
clearly. a vital fact, and one which until
recently was scarcely recognized by any
body. There can be no society without
differences Of opiniOn-that we know-but
only recently has it come TO be under
stood that this does not necessarily mean
that one shall be entirely wrong and the
other entirely right. Nowadays it is
freely admitted that it is far better for
the State that there should be two op-
posing political parties than that one
party should have a monopoly Of power,
the community shall hold wrong opinions
for the good Of the other half
How, then, is the competitive spirit 10
be encouraged What is the danger to be
avoided in this conflict? Simply the dan
ger OF dishonesty and Of intolerance.
Each OF the two temperaments to which
DR.. Abbott refers carries with it pc
culiar dangers. The institutional Tnoralist
is in peril of sacrificing truth TO expedi-
eLcy, of prevaricating for the sake of the
cause dearest to him. as the easiest way
out of d difficulty. instead Of trying to
make the organization in which he works
conform to his convictions Of right. The
constitutional moraiist. his opponent-the
man who does right because he is con-
yinced that he ought TO do il, no matter
whether anyone else does 50 or nOt-is in
danger OF Intolerance. of accusing others
of dishonesty and coward -ce of conceit,
and Of stubbornness. Each must strive
to avoid the periIs incident 10 his way Of
thought and if each does this it is by
no means impossible for both TO be
equally honest, good, and useful men.
Though they may never think alike, these
two will continually act and react on each
other. and lift the thought OF the com
muuity TO a higher level First, the or
ganizer will inspire all the men whom he
can gather into his society with that wish
TO act rightly and wisely which comes
from contact with others who are wishing
the same thing Then the truth-seeker
viii. by his personal magnetism and devo-
ticn 10 right. draw 10 himself those whom
the organization cannot hold, ana incl
dentanv he will arouse the organization
/ itself to further action. Each can 90
/ something which the other cannot.
T,7t This is only possible when both
! forces are good Of their kind. The or
I rauization may become 50 corrupt as to
| drive from it all healthy life, and de-
/ generate into a poisonous and noxious in
/ gueDce. sitting all honest endeavor and
/ cToggiug free thought and action, good or
/ had. The truth-seeker, If he gets out Of
| touch with his felow-men, If he is not
| reasonable as weH as earnest, If he is
1 not brave, wise humble thoroughly hon
/ est with himself and with others, may be
/ a dreamer a doctrinaire, q tyraunicai
/ and unbalanced leader, or anything else
/ that is bad. and possible to strong,
magnetic. and impractical personality.
J When society becomes thus demoralized.
1 one or the other Of these forces must
/ come to the rescue, and as it is easier to
! find one powerful man than a large body
/ Of fairly good men. in corrupt society.
/ revolutions generally come about under
/ the guidance Of a great leader And all
/ this is the natural history Of reform
The Navigation Bureau ring friends Of
/ Rear Admiral Sampson are openly regret
ting the folly Of that individual in penning
his fatal endorsement on Gunner Nor
! gan's application for pronauon. Under
I III, Mr. Morgan viii he ireligible on
/ account Of age before anything could be
done in his behalf. and Il is assumed that
/ Sampson knew of this bar. His gratui-
/ tous action in throwing away his own
| chances TO crafty an un-American senti-
meut against the plain sons Of the people
| is amazing to the few who, for reasons Of
! their own, have adhered to his cause in
! defiance Of common justice and the truth
! OF history.