The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1904-03-10


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REFLECTION often brings us to q
realization of our faults.
THE most prominent Characteristic
in the lives Of all our really great
men is absolute integrity.
The sale Of opium must yield ire
mendous prof ts. In return for
monopoly of the preparation of this
drug in China, a German firm at Shang-
hal has offered the Chinese government
an annual payment of over $50, 900 600.
TO be brave and courageous in the
face of calumny is trying ordeal
at any time. To face it when we are
down is crucial test that tries the
soul. But to meet it with the unfinch-
ingtrnst that we will win out in the
end is the supreme test of manhood.
AS rule we should always look for
ward to better days, but back
ward glance now and then is good for
the lesson it teaches us. Take for
example the many glad but spendthrift
hours we all have known, when we
paid for so-called happiness with the
liberality of prince of good fellows.
Was it not during some of those gay
times that we beggared ourselves al
most beyond relief? And are we not
now paying again for all those laughs,
not with coin of the realm but with
the coin of regret? Many of us have
often been in the midst of these gay
crowds and with tinkling glasses joined
in the chorus of "a jolly good fellow"
But in our time of adversely, those
same joyous companions knew us not
They remembered us only SO long as
we were able to contribute to their
enjoyment. 1t all teaches us that
faithful friends are not found in the
hooks and corners of vice and the kind
of pleasure obtained in the same
quarters is not worth the price we have
to pay.
THE sympathy of the American
people is undoubtedly with the
Japanese in their struggle for suprema-
cy in the far East. But that is no
reason why we should deny to the
Russian the credit of having aided the
North during the Civil War.
1t is fact that during the Rebellion
they sent fleet of war vessels to this
side as an expression of their friend
illness to the Union. This act should
not be belittled either, as it was done
at time when both Great Britain and
France were favorabIy disposed to-
wards the Confederacy and probably
| prevented them from championing its
| cause. Some time afterwards our
government sent special messenger
to the car with resolution of Con-
gress expressing its pleasure at the
failure of an attempt on his life. This
act of courtesy would indicate that the
czar's efforts in our behalf were ap-
preciated. The old saw "give the
devil his due" might well apply in the
face of so many attempts to rob these
barbarians of what rightfully belongs
to them.
WHAT a glorious world this would
be if every inhabitant was an
optimist. Without the hard luck fiends
and pessimists life would be one glad
sweet song Wherever he goes the
optimist radiates sunshine and good
cheer He believes that everything in
nature being the work of God is
ordered for the best or to produce the
greatest amount of good. He sees the
bright side and takes hopeful view
of everything. He may be duped by
hope but he never faints. He looks
upon fear as lie. Through the smoke
of defeat he can always read his title
clear to victory. He is bright and
cheerful, enters a room like a sea-
breeze, fresh, laughing and nodding
right and left with a happy impair
TALLY. If we have the blues they fly
away at the sight of his countenance.
Thav womb mix with the sunny Dres-
ence of an optimist. He has humor-