The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1904-02-12
Thoughtful Sympathy.

From our earliest boyhood days, our
sympathies have been quick to go out
TO one of the contestants in every bat
tie. From the snowballing engage
ments OF long ago. when our feelings
were against the fellow who used
water-soaked balls, down to our judg-
ment, passed today, regarding the Jap
anese-Russian trouble, we have always
Teen quick to extend sympathies-and
usually to the under dog in the fight.
II is simply natural, and ninety nine
per cent of the people, everywhere
throughout the land, have made their
choice and expressed their opinion,
and In ninety-eight cases out OF the
ninety-nine, It is safe to say. II has
been three cheers and a God speed the
plucky little Jap.
1t is fine principle which follows
us from the playground up and on
through life. and makes us want to
'leg" for the weaker one in every con-
test, against the bully and the ruffiian.
II is an American principle which
makes us turn with national sympathy
toward the weaker power in any great
International trouble A feeling OF
sympathy, born of experience in our
own development. This principle, like
many OF its altruistic class. is too
broad to make allowance many times
for the individual case, and too sweep
ing to see behind the powers in nation
al controversy the personnel OF the
people or armies involved. AS a re-
suit We oftimes extend thoughtless
sympathies with the best intent.
At the present time, we as a people
are hoping for victory for Japan. Sec
onding our desire Is a large portion
of the civilized world. Our hope takes
the form of wish that absolute de-
feat may result for the forces of a
country, whose power has been builded
upon serfdom, but the pity is, that in
cause, we forget the serf.
We, as a people, to whom American
institutions have given a hundred
yes, O thousand causes for individual
patriotism, can not place upon such
contest of nations, as this just started,
n fair conception or judgment. In
fact, we as a people, can not give men
tai analysis to that factor in gov
ernmental economy which has for its
motto conquest. and for its final am
billion tyranny. AS result of this
training ard these conditions, we
clemor for the crushing of a power,
forgetting the sorrow and anguish en-
tailed upon the helpless, whose par
ticpation is from force and life long
fear and submission. From this train
ing, and these conditions. we are too
apt TO form our conception of an
army, from comparison with that
which makes up the rank and file of
cur own. In country where each
mans sovereignty makes the nations
cause his personal interest.
An American soldier is not the hired
II is this very fact which differentiates
the American soldier from any other,
and which makes 1t impossible for us,
rs O people, to draw conclusions when
placing our own, and the spirit behind
them, in comparison with any other
class or kind.
The defeat Of the Russian govern
ment, were such thing possible to
the extent Of wiping 1t from the face
of the earth. would be most desirable,
especially should that defeat bring to
its submerged millions the dawning
light Of better day. Blood is not too
high price to pay for such defeats;
hut the partial defeat, that which car
lies to the hearts Of the helpless
heavier burdens. and brings no relax
ation In the damnable chains of Gus
tom and government which has cursed
their lives calls for thoughtful SYM
pathy.
While we hope for the defeat Of a
power like the Russian government,
our sympathy must extend to the sol
dier OF country whose arm is lifted
In battle only because of the force Of
conditions. and whose hearts hatred
must divide between the enemy ahead
and The power behind