Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1906-06-09
BEST men ONLY
FOR POLITICS

young man of intelligence, education
and force. undecided as 10 what be
should adopt as a life career, should
come TO you for advice? Would you
recommend him 10 enter public lifeT
That's hard question" thee speaker
replied. Il should say yes to the young
man of intelligence. culture and eff
fciency If these things were crossed
with patriotism. In the main. those
who go into public life are picked men,
and by just SO much as they are picked
men they are ahead OF the average.
This is fact in spite of the oft repeat
ed assertion that the representatives OF
the people are only Of about average
grade. But let any public man become
really prominent; let him win ,distinc-
ton in support of a great policy land the
demagogues and revolutionists will at
tack him and seek by all means In
their power TO take away his proper
support.
IF among dozen young men, each
of whom should decide to devote his
life to the public service and should
| qualify and work hard and conscien-
tiously for II, one-just one-should
get himself into public life and should
| sustain himself with credit TO himself
and benefit TO the country, / should
| consider IL a great return for the effort
| put forth.
The man who has to make his own
| way, who is without a competency to
| start with and who enters public life
| these days before he has saved enough
to live independently of his income as
| public man, has a hard time before
him. The young man who has never
earned his living for himself. no mat
ter what his advantages or circum-
stances or training. is sure 10 make
many mistakes through ignorance OF
hard practical life Not personally
having the same needs as the man OF
the people. he doesn't know what TO do
or how to do IT,
Young men who enjoy the adVan-
tages Of special training and the CD
portunities that wealth gives may be-
come specially qualified for public life.
Such opportunities and training are
necessary TO complete qualifications,
but often they are not equal 10 them.
That which may be had without effort
is not often highly priced.
The college man who receives his
training without having to consider
wherewithal he shall be subsisted f.
deprived Of the benefit that comes I'M
der the primal law, In the sweat of
thy face shall thou eat bread
There are men of culture and in
hcrited wealth who accomplish great
things, but they are the exceptions.
and when they are intrusted with DOW
or are useful and safe in the exercise
Of it only in so far as they receive ed
ucaton in practical conduct Of prac-
teal affairs
Mere culture is of no benefit unless
you have been strengthened by severe
efforts I'm its acquisition. There is no
way to learn how TO make proper use
of power except 10y studying In tho
great library Of actual life and by
close contact with the mass Of human
ity engaged in the struggle for subsist-
ence and advancement.
But all young men of ability,
whether favored by fortune or not. owe
IL both 10 themselves and TO the nation
TO give attention to public affairs, to
keep themselves in touch with things,
to be in constant preparation for pub
lie life If the opportunity or necessity
comes TO them
Everybody knows there is a large
number of such young men I'm the
great business and Industrial centers
who give no attention or very little TO
public affairs. The manufacturing, the
or financial operations, the
or transportation enter
Drises which they take up, give them
so much better financial returns than
public life would yield that they lose
sight altogether of the government.
upon whose proper conduct their sue
,ess in their various calIings and en-
-erprises depends-upon which, I'm fact,
he very chance to enter these calllngs
Ind carry on those enterprises rests
md whose decentralization would wipe
tut every body's chances in life.
Now, we can't prevent the evolu-
ion of such conditions in this or any
'ther civilized country, but these peo-
BE. thus completely absorbed in their
'allings and enterprises, whose stand
Joint of self interest now prevents
hem from giving attention to public
fairs, will surely be forced more and
more to broaden their culture-thor-
ugh knowledge of public affairs is az
ecessary to truly broad culture as any
ther sort OF knowledge-as well az
heir patriotism.
Il fancy hat many OF them are now
oing so. They must If they are to
old their own i'm the republic To
lay their part they must give atten-
ion to other things besides their own
ersona affairs. and they must see
hat the banker cannot selfishly devote
imself wholly TO his bank; that the
must give some atten-
on TO other things besides his factory
nat the railroad president must In
.rest himself In n few other fhiNgs
esides the problems of transportn ton.
II don't say that these people should
i've, give, give-it won't do for them
, try to meet the situation merely by
eing charitable with their money.
living only gratifies the giver. AS
eneral rule, il pauperizes the people
'ho receive. The multim,llonaire OF