The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1903-09-11
HELP YOURSELF.

Sir Thomas Upton has ascertainet
the practical adaptation of Emerson's
theory that self-help is the best help
He has discovered a new significance
II the popular idea-which was cor
rect until the republican party inaug-
urated Imperialism, militarism and
trustiSm-that this is a free" cOun-
try. The Interpretation of freedom
forced upon the hospitable and good
natured owner of the Shamrock ac-
cords literally with the trust cOnceD-
ton of making yourself at home
Report has it that Sir Thomas en-
| tertained parties royalty on The Erin
and instructed his guests that thew
must feel as if his yacht was theirs.
| They took him at his word. They not
only felt as if the Erin. was theirs,
but they behaved as if they owned it:
and not only as if they owned the
yacht, but as if they held title to the
chattels on board, which the host did
not say was theirs. 4 statement has
been circulated that, following the de-
Darture of the guests, valuable silver
ware was missed.
Surely it is not stealth to filch
costly silverware or to carry off works
Of art or to port away under coats
and hidden in wraps articles of in |
trinsic Or eXtrinsic value. That is
neither violation of morals. nor an |
Offense against the code Of honor nor |
an infracJiOn of the law nor an act |
OF ingratitude' or discOurtesy. 1t is one
of the nOblest Of virtues, inasmuch as
Sir Thomas was thereby convinced
that he was not considered a host.
but philanthropist If all of his
guests would h Up themselves to
treasures within arms reach, Sir
Thomas would obtain a more elevated
opinion of the high integrity Of a few
Of the pretenIious gentlemen and lad
les of New York.
The more costly and the more cher
ished the articles taken from the Erin
the more elated Sir Thomas should
be. 1t shows that his guests thor
oughly and effectively appreciated his
generosity, although he may regretl
that they did not also take the yacht.
which he had said was theirs. They
could have taken his neckties, watch
7s, chains, pins, rings and jewelry
as souvenirs. and, of course, he would
not have cOmplained: not at all. He
would have thanked them for their
genuine interest in him, commended
heir honesty, invited them to accept
stock in his tea company, go across
he ocean with him and pilfer from
lis home
Sir Thomas is not the only victim
If admiring enthusiasts in New York.
During the visit of a royal person I
lge about year ago, a carload OF
;ilverWare suddenly disappeared
rom the banquet hall, although the
yisitOr was unfortunately spared The
edification of witnessing the legerde- !,
main; the souvenir hunters inconsld- j..
erately delayed their performance IN
il his back was turned. But. j. is
lot unusual for hosts and hostesses
o be treated to Straightforward tricks. /
The practice has become almost con-
-entional in some places, and, sad to
ay, there is danger that it may be- !,
'Ome national
The self-helper, who are experts in :
he disappearing act, should adver- :
Use their skill as treasure acquirers
~ displaying the plumber in consp pic =
lous positions in their parlors. so =
hat former owners may congratulate :
hem upon their success. Sir Thorn I
S, for one, would have a lofty regard G
or those guests who took him at his
word and took his silverware. It was E
very nice, polite, courteous. CRATE
al and noble deed.