Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1904-05-25

That particular kind Of misguided paternalism
which is illustrated patheticay and so often
among the worthless aud daughters OF our very
rich men, is certainly not wanted 10 government
we don't want the kind Of government paternal-
Ism that would guarantee man full stomach q
soft bed, and an old age insured against want-re-
CARELESS OF the individuals personal effort.
we don't want the kind Of paternasm ia govern
ment that would keep all men IN a level plane,
make the shiitless Incompetent honorable as The
self-denying worker, and put the inferior man on
par with the superior product
we all realize that human beings must be dealt
with according TO what they are, not according to
what they should be.
The time will come when we shall be more civil
lied; when the consciousness OF honest effort or OF
great achievement will be the only special reward
craved by the superior man.
The time will come when broad human sympathy
will make us especially anxious to help along the
inferior brother; when shall realize his inieriority
ana weakness make uncertain future all the more
dreadful to him. Some day we shall help the weak
er man, build him up gradually thr B the gener-
atlons, by removing from bis shOnI1 the load Of
anxious care and giving him vOluntal " even more
tnan ne has earned, TO help atone for mis- poor start
in life.
Bat we have not reached that poipt vet. Men
now are selfish, severe and especially severe on the
unhappy incompetent. We are not ready for the
paternal government that would treat the weaker
citizen as the kind and wise father treats bis Invalid
son or daughteT-with extra tenderness.
In our present condition what we want in the
American home and in the American Government
is solid, rational paternalism based upon even ins-
tice and recognition Of the fact that man Is still too
imperfect to work well without the incentive Of
necessity.
The main outlines OF wise American paternalism
IN the home and the government are lev and
simple.
In the home, asdn the Government, all members
Of the family should find an opportunity to do the
best work Of which they are capable There should
be no favOrite sons or daughters. No road should
be closed to any member Of the home circle. or Of
the great national family:
We should despise a father who allowed one cf
his children to get enormously rich at the expense
OF the ethers, to crush the others uniusty for his
own profit.
We ought to despise q government that permits
one citizen to mOnOpOlze the national wealth. TO ex-
poit the great national family which protects him
IN MS possessions, to ignore all the rights Of others
and the laws made for the general protection.
We want the kind Of government pateFnalisms
that shall recognize the Just claims Of WOmanhOOd
especially.
We want the government paternalsm to do aa.
much for sick, poverty stricken mother and child
as the ordinary humane society will do for sick
horse or dog Win the mango.
We want enough paternalism In the government.
to make men love the Government and feel that.
their creation, and not mere instrument Of the,
police and OF supervision, created to protect the
prosperous few in the enjoyment Of q surieit.
we want government sufficiently paternal t5
realize that the important thing in republic is men,
ana not money; to realize that the children Of to-
day. Who will be the American nation tomorrow.
exceed IN importance every other possible national
consideration
we want government sufficiently paterDal to
feel intense interest in these children Of the nation
ana see to 1t that, when they grow up the oppor
tunities' the wealth that should be the national in
herltance are ROt diverted and legally transferred
to the hands Of q few
it, but the right kind F.S''' =