Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1903-02-21
PERSONAL CENSuR,E.

PERSONAL CENSURE.
The habit of discussing the character
of men and women and passing in judg-
ment upon their actions both in public
and private life is one of the greatest,
if not the greatest evil of civilized and
organized society as found in the world
today.
No matter where one goes in club
room, at social gatherings and sad to
say even in many churches, some ones
actions or character are being dissected
and thrown broadcast as common prop
erty. Hear we may see one whose life
may not always appear to be in accord
ance with some other person S idea of a
standard. But is it for that other per-
son to Judge, not knowing in the slight
est degree the motives which govern
that life? Mankind in general are too
prone to see faults in others instead Of
correcting and making their own lives
what they should be. Many really
good people are addicted to this habit,
for habit it is with the majority who
belittle the lives and actions of others.
Most of them did they realize the sor-
row and misery their idle words have
caused in many a SAD and burdened
heart would pause and consider the
crime they had committed, for the
crimes of thought and word have
caused more miseey and failure on this
great sphere than all fhe other
blunders ever made by man. If this
condition of society were unalterable it
would indeed be a dark and gloomy
outlook for the happiness and welfare
of the race. But as matter of fact
such condition is not unalterable as
there is a remedy, yes one might say a
radical reform within easy reach of
each and every one. And it is RENE
dy which all would gladly grasp and
cherish if they would but stop and pom
der we'll wherein their remedy lies.
Evil and disparaging remarks are
simply the product of kindred thoughts.
Let each one cultivate the habit of
holding nothing but good thoughts of
his brother, whenever tempted by suspi-
cion or mistaken judgment to give
voice to an unhappy thought. If such
a course were pursued unfalteringly
there would be no unkind words spoken
for where there are nothing but loving
thoughts an unkind word is an impossi-
bility, Such course seems hard to
pursue, no matter by whom undertaken,
as we are all afflicted with this misun-
Outstanding Of one another in greater
or less degree. It is absolutely impossi-
BILE to accomplish the task, unless we
are willing to place self more 10 the
background and realize that mankind
is one common brotherhood; each one
simply reflection of one great Princi-
pie, the Principle which rules all that
exists. When man has reached the
stage where he can realize that his
neighbours true inner self is necessarily
all that is good and pure, then each
and every one will comprehend the
magnitude of the crime of unloving
thoughts and words.
Such a radical change cannot be
brought about in a day nor even in
years. But such a change is possible
and will at some day inevitably dawn
in the bright morning of genuine broth
erly love and good will. AS each one
examines himself let him gradually
eradicate the malicious and impure
thoughts concerning his brother until
the bright day breaks in all it's fullness
and perfect peace when the crimes of
thought and tongue will be no more.