The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1902-12-18
. che Doctrine Of Individuality. !,

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slopes of the Himalayas. Imitation
speaks Of peroid when the animal in
man first commenced to suffer extinc-
tion. Intellect then was but a tiny
thread; weaving its way outward
through mans newly acquired con-
sciousness. Creative power was at a
premium. Imitation was necessity;
but as to the necessity of its present
existence, the truth Of such a state
ment will not bear even a moments
consideration. Imitation should be
numbered with the lost arts-and for
ever fail of resurrection.
Yet withal, there be imitators to-
day, kow- towing to the gods of conven-
tion. Conyentionality and fashion
are they not standards set by the few,
and initiated by the manyp Such idol
worship is akin to the fetichism of the
darkest age. Its devotees sink their
individuality to a common level, and
become lost in u sea of mediocrity-
fiat, inane, soulless.
Man today is the sum-total of all
previous existences; an epitome of all
things professional. He is stronger,
wiser, broader in his justice than ever
before. The original, the creative
genius has multiplied ITSELF And
where do we find this precious leaven
of progress, this ferment of perfection
in human evolution? We find it in
the man who has the moral courage
and hardihood to assert himself as he
is. This particular individual does
not exhibit the febrile symptoms of an
emulation directed toward conven-
tionality and the inanities of the world.
On the contrary, he is natural, un-
affected; and it is for this same reason
he is often called eccentric" The
conclusion is obvious-he has preserved
his identity, kept inviolate the char
acteristic traits of self-hood by the
constant and sincere expression of his
own individuality, he has been himself.
Be yourself, persistently and insistent-
ly yourself. Don't wear a cuff for a
collar because some one tells you it is
toaa-don't shake hands la Prince
Edward simply because others do
Live your own lives. OF all those we
know, we oftenest avoid close, honest
personal acquaintance with ourselves
When we know our own weakness and
our own strength, we can with some
intelligence direct our actions and de.
sires toward that which holds a lasting
good; and away from the mali forma
tions that constantly obstruct oul
path. This is to be found in the ex.
preston of your own individuality.
Genuine, honest, frank sincerity il
the formula of individual expression
and only in the development of the
healthy individual is there any hope
for the social mass. Society can never
be reconstructed till it's individual
members are reconstructed" The
boulevard will smell of the alley, til
the alley is cleansed.
At the present time, the trend Of
this materialistic, commercial age il
toward concentration. In all proba
bility, its first exploitation originated
from true principle in economics
the reduction of waste and an equita
BILE return to the many; but the prin
cipls has been sadly abused-its present
pseudo-altruistic application will even
tually prove as abortive as it is selfish
All politico- o-socio-economic schemes
for the amelioration of mankind ma!
not with impunity, disregard the inal
ienable prerogative of each and ever!
individual; the right to preserve intact
the freedom, integrity and inviolabilit.
of his personal self-hood. On the 9th
or hand,it would be idle and irrationa
to say, that the time will never come
when the material, and economic force
will coalesce- forming an equilibrium
of perfect adjustment to the want
and necessities of the many. Despit,
the periods Of reaction and depression
civilization tends toward higher scal'
of living-an upward march-whicl
lsooner or later must bring it to th