The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1901-07-31
0LCOTT'S LATEST WORK
Famous Theosophist Is Aiding
India's Lowest Race.
BUILDING SCHOOLS FOR PARIAHs.


Career of an American who Has
Adopted the strange Religious
Tcncts of the East-iIas Done Much
Fot gducntion-PnId Cost of First
school.
Colonel Henry Olcott, president Of
the Theosophlcal society and the ac-
knowledgcd leader of that cult not on.
ly in the western hemisphere, where its
introduction is Of comparatively recent
origin. but IN its home, india, was in
Washington recently and delivered two
lectures which attracted very large
audiences. Philanthropy Is the key
note of the life Of this really remarl,a-
bic man. who at the age OF 60 is yigor-
Gus and active and spends all his wax.
ing hours I'm devotion TO the cause OF
humanity. His latest and most nota-
bic enterprise is the introduction Of
schools in India for the education Of
the pariahs. the race dcspised of all the
castles in that strcnge land, says the
Washington Post
Colonel Olcott took no small part In
public affairs In America, his native
land. before he became interested IN
theosophy in 1874 During the civil
war he was engaged by Secretary stan
ton to investigate frauds in the quar-.
termaster's department. at various
points and conducted the investigations
with great dispatch and success. lie
acted as special commissioner for the
navy as well as the war department in
roofing out abuses and frauds.
The advance of theosophy and the
membership of the society devoted TO
the Buddhist religion owe most Of its
success to the efforts of Colonel Oh
colt. He has provided a constitution
for the society which is the broadest
that governs such an institution. While
study of Buddhism has been the prin-
cipal occupation of Colonel Olcott for
quarter Of a century, his efforts for ed
ucation i'm the cast have been uneX-
ampled In their energy and success.
In Ccylon he aroused among the ma
tives a desire for the education of their
children which had never before exist
ed and secured their cooperation and
assistance In the establishment Of
schools which are attended by 27000
pupils.
His latest project is most interest
ing one. The pariahs of India are the
most downtrodden race in the world.
They say they are the aboriginal inhab-
itants of the country and were over
come by n stronger people from the
north They are the outcast race A
pariah may not remain in the road
while a Hindoo passes, but must go
aside into the fields. He may not drink
from the village wen. The attitude of
every caste in India toward him is one
of adherence. His presence In their
company. according 10 their tenets. is
pollution. The pariahs are not distin'
guished by any typical appearance, but
they are so dowutrodden that they new
er learn enough to raise themselves
migrate and conceal their identity. In
India, too, there Is n tradition which is
preserved by every caste whereby q
man follows the trade of his father and
remains in the same place from genera
tion to generation.
The only solution for the enigma OF
RlGNAllllE "A
conditions was education. and Colone
Olcott has begun the good work. Ou
of his own small means he established
the first school, and the news of hi'
work reaching friends in America anC
elsewhere In the world, which he hai
Travelled over from Norway to Austria
liza, and contributions were made to thu
work. There are now GOO or 200 chill
dren in these schools, and Colonel Oh
colt is preaching their cause in his tril
through North and South America. Hi
propaganda is a peculiar one, for h
never asks for anything. He tells tn
needs of the people for whom he i
working and gladly accepts help, bu
neither through him nor any mcmbe
of the society Is any one ever dunne'
for contribution.
In the exercise of the religion of the
osophy. Colonel Olcott is regarded n
one Of ita wonder workers, but his sery
ices, which are IN large demand, IA
given, when they are given at all, with
out price. The journal of the society
The Theosophist, is the sole source o
revenue Of the president of the society
Colonel Olcott has gone to Philade
phla, where he will conclude cours
of lectures he has been giving in va
rious cities Of the United States. II
will then go TO South America TO ii
spect branches of the society and IT
turn 10y way OF Europe TO his perml
nent home Adyar, Madras presidency
India.
Teutons want 10 be PRcemnkers.
Germany Is settLng the pace In eyerl