The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1903-09-10
THE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
CONTINUED from page ~

ant pTOSTSSS,
These very conditions require pro.
gress to be slow, improvement to be
gradual and attainment to be con.
slant, but these facts intensity the
urgent need Of public education in ev,
cry phase that enables more light to
be thrown upon the problems Of the
day, that adds more knowledge II
the common fund of experience, that
prepares the way for grander AMI
a greater civilization. Human pro-
gress of all kinds in democracy de-
ponds upon the constant recognition
of certain fundamental general activ-
tiles which must exist among the
masses. The social expansion OK
ideas, the enlargement of values and
capabilities, the forces of prosperity
and enlightenment are all secured by
the attaining Of certain definite
stages of results. There must be,
first, public opinion; second, public
interest. third. public decision, and
fourth, public action, to guarantee
real accomplishment. There can be
and often is an over-estimation Of
the real value of these preliminary
stages of progress, public sentiment,
public interest and public decision.
There is no use to hope for better
things until the masses are really to
take. public action. 1t is so easy in
a democracy where the voice of the
people is the authority of law to sus-
pend activity before the last stage
has been reached. 1t is so easy to
think that enough has been done that
ment and that promises, to pay are
immediate cash. The passing of
resolutions, the adopting of platforms,
the constructing of policies are all
good enough as far as they go, but
they do not go far enough to guaran-
tee anything that is more than a
means to an end and are never able
to be ends in themselves.
1t is necessary for a community to
realize that there must be invest
ments if there is to be any actual re-
turns to thinking and to efforts, that
there must be sacrifice and endur-
ance if there is to be development OF
power and strength. The great
problem to-day with men AMI with
communities is to get to the point
where investments are not charged
to the expense account or to the prof
it and loss account. He who wants
to exert power in industry, in schol-
arship, in executive skill, in profess
sional experiences, in scientific judg-
ment or any other great line, must
invest largely and personally in the
greatness sought. Democracy must
recognize that there is vast differ
ence between ability and capability,
as one is natural and the other ae-
quired, the one is what man promises
to be, the other is what he has really
became through sacrifice and appli-
cation. Every normal human being
has by nature marvellous ability, an
endowment that is God-given in guam
tity and quality far exceeding human
expectation, but it is not ability alone
that positively counts in the ultimate
outcome, for the magnitude of life
and service depends upon applica-
ton, endeavor, Judgment and reason y
developments of capability. Librar-
les and schools are nothing unless
their resources are translated by
brains in action into capable thought
fitness and efficiency. Scholarship
and knowledge are nothing unless
they are applied to the solving Of the
problems of life. Size and strength,
promise and chance, opportunities
and privileges are nothing unless
they are seen in human life, in char
acter, manliness and effectiveness.
1t is the capable man that has mis-
sion that works out a career, that
Yields an influence, that is worthy OF
being counted in the contests for the
mastery.
These principles and observations
are preparatory to certain evident
conclusions and notable propositions
appropriate to the occasion, the les
sons of the hour:
1. The privileges of civilization
d1O IOC " dllS DuJ as all 10 uOL Jake
advantage of them the losers are
many. One of the greatest problems
of the time is to secure from men
the acceptance of the free gifts
granted by God and by man. 1t is
the wise man indeed who cares for
his opportunities, who values his
prospects who sacrifices for his up.
building and develops his career in
all its fullness.
2. There is no such things as
equality of opportunity or as equality
of pursuits. Men can be superiors,
can be makers of records, can be ma
jestic wielders of influence, can be-
great and useful if they but use well
and continuously the ability they pos
sess and the openings they are given.
All life is cumulative and marvellous
in its attainment when superiority is
sought and not equality.
3. Men are not competitors in any
sense il they perfect their God-given
powers. Writing book is not equal
or unequal to painting picture.