The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1902-10-02

form of the superstition it is held that
the rescuer wilt sooner or later be
drowned himself; and thus we pass to
the fetichistic Interpretation of drown
ing as the seizing of the unfortunate
person by the water-spirit or nixy, who
is naturally angry at being deprived of
his victim, and henceforth bears
special grudge against the bold mortal
who has thus dared to Illustrate him."
Mr.. Fiske mentions hundreds of other
myths, equally as forcible as those
which have quoted. But will dismiss
Mr.. Fiske and chronicle few of the
present day myths which have strong
bold upon the imaginative mind. A
horseshoe hung over the door is fa-
miliar sight. 1t is supposed to bring
good luck to those passing beneath it.
Picking up pins on the sidewalk is also
supposed to bring good luck. A delay
or slight accident Immediately before
marriage service takes place is con-
sidered an ill-omen and harbinger of
future misery. This, however, is great
ly overshadowed by the superstitious
belief generally entertained in connec-
tion with cloudy weather occurring on
the marriage day. The number thir-
teen is another colossal bugbear around
which is entwined q long list of ro-
mances and supposed fatalities, and in
this enlightened age it is believed in
as often as it is scoffed at. These are
only few of the current myths which
are we'll established in the folklore of
every civilized community, and have
lived from generation to generation.
Table No. 3 comes next and deals
with intolerance. "That feeling of
intolerance, once considered duty, is
now relegated to the dark corners of
the earth. In countries where general
education has secured a firm foothold
only the extremely narrow-minded be-
lieve that no man can honestly differ
from him in his opinion concerning
this or that question. We now see
the different religious denominations
dwelling together in peace and mutual
respect, which before the spread of ed
ucation was an utter impossibility." 1
am inclined to think that Mr.. Slowgo
arrived at these conclusions in rather
hasty manner. We will frankly admit,
however, that intolerance is not so
emphatic and demonstrative today as
it was few centuries ago; neverthe-
less, it is noxious weed that no
amount of education can efface. Its
hydra-head is very much in evidence
everywhere, and to deny it's existence
one is forced to take an exceptionally
optimistic view of passing events. Is
intolerance being swept backward? I
deny the assertion! It was intolerance
that infiamed the martial blood of Pat.
rick Henry and caused him to Justify
proclaim, "Give me liberty, or give me
death" 1t is this same brand of in
tolerance in high places from which
we can expect great changes to take
place, important movements to be in
augurated and eventually to accom-
plish marvellous results in compiling
history. ~
Intolerance is an idiosyncrasy in
separately connected with education.
AS criterion We will choose this coun-
try as belonging to the civilized coun-
tries in which general education has
secured a firm foothold" Among the
cultured and rich very little considera-
tion or fellowship is shown toward
those who may be beneath them in the
social scale. Here intolerance is
markedly conspicuous. 1t is insignifi-
cant, however, and has little bearing
upon the subject at hand, SO we will
view the matter from broader stand
| point. First, we will consider the
measure of intolerance as it exists in
few of our colleges. It is an estab-
lished fact that few of the professors
in some of our endowed institutions
of learning dare express their opinions
upon any of the momentous questions
which are, from time to time, brought
before the people for solution. Free
speech is incompatible with the posi-
tions they hold. The faculties of these
institutions have abrogated this ines
timable privilege which stands out so
prominently in our Declaration Of In
dependence. Among religious organ
| izstions the same deplorsble conditions