The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-12-31

space and it is now possible for large
aggregations of people to exist under
sanitary and economic conditions which
are upbuilding and perpetuating rather
than destructive. Men are not coming
together in this century in this way
to take each other by the throat. They
are assembling because consciously or
unconsciously they seek the benefits
to be derived from such aSSOcia ton.
MEANING OF EQUALITY.
AS to equality-there is no other
form of common life which does not
waste intellectual power and individual
effort in fruitless struggle or in bitter
strife. Equality in choice of way,
equality in right of way after the way
has been chosen, equality of opportuni-
ty-this, the only equality which any
self-respecting American will ask, must
be secured for all, must be granted to
all.
All artificial distinctions must be laid
aside. There is no room with US in
this day and age for differentiation OF
rank and station. The only distinction
which we may honestly undertake to
establish between individuals or which
we may safely permit is that which
arises from conduct All else is acct
dental and evanescent- The rewards
and the distinctions of this life must in
their distribution follow closely the old
formula: From each according to his
ability and to each according TO his
desserts.
SJTG6Q WIFI us sure cOInpd4lOIl,
sighted selfishness; fear ever walking
hand in hand with undue compliance or
abject servility; trickery, chicanery,
fraud and the whole brood of dishonest
practices; force, always and everywhere
stirring to strife-these have never
founded nor reared nor saved a state:
because these strive for mastery in the
hands of the few and against the
n8anV.
We need to have our attention con-
stantly recalled to the place and value
of the individual and to give this full
recognition because we need the indi-
vidual so much and because he so
much needs the stimulus which comes
from recognition and appreciation.
Desire has always been the handspring
of human progress. But desire unSat-
(, isfied, desire which is constantly robbed
of opportunity, WeakenS and dies. The
only economic efficiency that the world
has ever known has always followed
intelligent effort prompted by enlarged
desire and resulting in at least reason
| able satisfaction. We cannot expect
those whom we apparently regard as
playing an unimpOrtant part in the
great drama of the age to play their
part very we'll. Only as we appreciate
and openly recognize the Importance
of all each in his place. and the hope
and opportunity of all for larger life,
can the general result be entirely salts
factory. Wholesomeness and strength
always lie with the whole people and
not with any segment of society. We
shall always have leaders, but leader
| to be successful must have an intelli-
gent following.
DEMAND FOR INDIVIDUALITY
AS a matter of fact there was never
such a demand for individuality at
this moment, in the midst of the greatest
demand for organization. The success of
each of the great movements of the day,
in whatever field, is to be determined by
the intelligence and the faithfulneSs of
the many, rather than by the brillia ucy
of the few. In the day of small things
responsibility was far less evenly distrib-
uted than now, oversight was more con-
slant and more easily effective, and the
versa1 than today. Illustrations may be
multiplied on every hand, which prove
with incontestable force the truth of this
statement.
er begins with the child in the hands of
the teacher. You are to give him or help
him secure for himself the power to act
and the tendency to act That which
vidual is to be developed or is to find the
beginning of its development while he is
under your care. OF mind and spirit. of
temper, of Judgment, of will power, he IS
to lay the foundations under your gui-
dance. His stay with you will be all TOO
short, the five years schooling of the
narrow portal through which to enter
upon the life beyond-but all the more
necessary therefore, is it that your work
| is done wisely and we'll Against the
work of any kind, against methods and
formulate for universal application, you
are to set your faces like flint.
His own sacred individual self is that
| is that which you are to give breadth
of horizon and newneSS and largeneSs OF
life.
-o rrrArD nm rnrcO nnuETV II