The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1904-10-01
DIFFERENT KINDS: n: n.
- y: v - or +. COURAGE
From Vogue:


Boast though we do of the superior
civilization of the age, it is noticeable
that qualities which alone make any
grade OF civilization possible are
largely lacking in the men who make
up the communities of the common
wealth. Take, for instance, courage, Of,
which so much is said; most persons
appear to appreciate only the physical
manifestations OF this quality so that
If the military man faces odds I'M
flinch1ngly on the field he is esteemed
courageous, even though in other cir
cumstances he plays the role of cow
ard, substituting expediency for prin-
c1p1e. The most glazing istances of
cowardly betrayal of political trust
are so constantly furnished by those
holding political positions that when
a man dares to be right he is acclaim
ed a hero with a vociferation that is
In itself severe commentary on prev
alent political morality. Cowardly ac-
qu1escence in evil is, however. not
solely the perogative of the politician!
The ethical teacher is not blameless
In this regard. How many of these
leaders back down when it comes to
espousing an unpopular but righteous
cause? If any reader Of thes e lines
would know If there are any ethical
towards, let him endeavor to persuade
a fashionable religious leader to pre-
sent to his charge the duty Of man
toward animals. The result will prob
ably be surprising to those who imag-
inc that kindness to animals has come
to be generally acknowledged as the
only proper treatment. The rich, it
must be borne in mind, as class are
exceptionally callous to appeals for
mercy, as witness locked tails and
cruel bits. And then. too, there are
other conspicuous instances of out
rageous cruelty Of which the follow
ing is a sample: The tidy sum of $500
was paid by a man Of means for an
English setter; an additional sum of
500 was paid for his training. Some
time after the close of the hunting
season the dog, who had been turned
adrift by his owner, was picked up
half starved and wounded, by humane
people of limited means, who have
since cared tenderly for the cruelty
treated creature. 1t must be admitted
that ethical teachers dependent for
their livelihood on rich parishtoners are
placed in trying position when the
rights of a class without speech or
possessions or influence of any kind,
are pitted against the selfish indul-
gence Of the rich; but is it anything
but cowardly to condone cruelty by 81
lence?
All through commercial and social
life a disheartening lack of courage
prevails. for in the modern world it is
not conscience, but the desire to get on
that makes towards of us all. What
dishonesties decent men have condoned
in corporations only lately have the
general public realized. 1t is found that
the most honored names In the finan-
cial world, identified with an enter
prise, are in no sense guaranty of it's
soundness. Amazingly INSCRIPTIONS
methods have been pursued In many
conspicuous concerns; and as all those
responsible for these indefensive prac-
tices could not have been rascals, it is
inevitable that some fairly honorable
men must have been cowardly betray
ers of the trust of investors. In social
life the lack of courage is especially
cospicuous. All the mean gossip and the
Sitting of conviction for fear Of Of
Tending are examples Of especially con-
temptible forms Of cowardice.
II considering the extreme T. popularity
ofscourage, and the high esteem, In
which he is held who exhibits it, the
morally courageous. Physical courage
is well nigh universal. and 1t requires
but occasion-a battling fire a dan
gerous runaway or Slocum tragedy
to bring out admirable examples of it..
But even the physically brave cannot
be counted upon to be morally so. So
true is this Of even prominent men that
it seems as though courage should be
inoculated in the schools, for it is one
of the vital characteristics that go to
the making Of civilizat ton. A common
wealth Of ut-and-out cravens is I'M
thinkable, and a. country whose citi-
zens are partly craven Is likewise an
anomaly, II there is to be permanent
progress No life motto can surpass
Dare to be right. Dare to be true; and
it is to be hoped it will one day COR
rectly define the status Of this nation.