The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1906-07-14

| Sizes Hpl DllllulN refuses 10 dCkllOWl-
edge the wrongs that exist and the
ways III which those wrongs must be
cured.
WARNS AGAINST HYSTERIA.
I'VE have heard great deal during
the past year or two of the frlghtiul in
EQUITIES in oura politics and our bust
ness and the frightiul wrongdoing in
our social life. Now, there is plenty OF
iniquity i'll business, in politics, in our
social life. There is every warrant for
our acknowledging these great evils.
But there is no warrant for growing
hysterical about them. 1t is poor
trick to spend nine-tenths OF the time
in saying that there never was such in
Equity as is shown in this nation and
the remaining tenth in saying that we
are the most remarkable nation that
ever existed
wv want to be more careful in blam-
ing ourselves and more careful in prais-
ing ourselves. Over emphasis in praise
as we'll as OvcrcmphaSiS in blame, is
apt to ovcrreach itself, just as the man
who promises too much. especially on
the stump, is apt to strike the balance
by performing too little.
1T is true that there is much evil;
but in speaking about it, do not let us
lose our heads, and. above all. let us
avoid the wild vindictivcncSS preached
by certain dcmagOgucS--a vindictve-
ness as far as the poles are asunder
from the wise charity OF Abraham Lin
coin. Let us remember that many OF
the men who do the things OF which
we complain, even among those who do
the worst, are American citizens with
much the same tastes, tempers and
characters as we have, but who have
been exposed to special temptations.
OF course, there are some men who are
inherently wicked. and for these only
drastic punishment will avail But very
many wrongdoerS, especially when the
wrongdOlng is committed by whole
class, are wrongdoerS only through
force OF circumstances. Try to remove
the causes OF their wrongdoing; re-
move as far as maye be both the power
and the temptation to do wrong, but
do not cultivate toward them a spirit
OF rancorous hatred. which in the end
will react most surely upon ourselves.
War with the evils. but show no spirit
OF malignity toward the man who may
be responsible for the evil. Put it out
OF his power to do wrong: ii necessary,
punish him where he has done wrong
but do not let this nation ever get into
the frame OF mind. which, under inf
nteIy greater prOvOcatlOn, Abraham
Lincoln Strove to prevent its falling into
at the time OF the Civil War.
ABUSES OF PROPERTY.
The poorest OF all emotions Tor any
American citizen to feel is the emotion
OF hatred toward his fellows. Let him
feel a Just and righteous Indignation
where that just and righteous indigna-
ton is called ior; let him not hesitate
To intIict punishment where punishment
is needed in the interest OF the public,
but let him beware OF demanding mere
vengeance. and. above all. OF inviting
the masses OF the people to such de
mand. Such a demand is alike unchris-
tian and un-.Amcrican. and the man who
makes it is false to the highest duties.
principles. and privileges OF american
citizenship.
This year in Congress Our chief task
has been to carry the government for
ward along the course which, | think.
it must follow consistently for a mum
Der OF years to comc-that is, in the di-
reCtion OF seeking on behalf OF the pco-
pie as a whole through the national
government which represents the peo-
pie as a whole, to exercise a measure
OF SUPERVISION, control and restraint
over the individuals. and especially over
the corporations OF great wealth, in So
lar as the business use OF that wealth
brings it within the reach OF the led
eral government. We have accom-
pliShcd a fair amount. and the reason
that we have done so has been. in the
first place, because we have not tried to
do too much. and in the next place,
because we have approached the task
absolutely irocc from any spirit OF
rancor or hatred.
In any such movement man will
find that he has allies whom he does
not like You cannot protect property
without finding that YOU are protecting