Watertown leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1909-1911, 1909-02-12
What IS A Good Man

4 good thing liz good thing where
ever it comes from and whenever writ
ten. Something over year ago, the
editor of Every body's magazine sought
communications from number of
prominent men or the subject, "What
is Good MANI"
Whatever constituted q good man
a year ago, constitutes a good man
now. There were many ideas express
ed. Some good, some indifferent,
some exceedingly pointed; but to our
mind, Count Katsura of Japan unques-
tionablly gave the best definition, and
We reproduce what he sad here, know
ing that this space cannot be used in
better way, it being subject that
must appea to all.
According to my conception of good
ness, harmless man is not necessar-
lily good man. So it is with one
who is classed as of an innocent type
OF personality. A good man, as |
view him, is one who has done sumo
good, however slight, to the cause
which he is sery ing. He is a..gocd man
who always has his Conscience clear,
not in consequence of lnaction, how
ever, but upon careful examination OF
his acts and conduct. He must be
the one who in all his actions is
prompted by his honest and sincere
desire to serve the cause OF humanity
by contributing his best toward the
elevation of his fellows.
He cannot be good man who has
no object in life. However unim-
peachable his daily conduct might be,
such mans life is against the essen
tlal principal of human existence in
this world. Life means work and ex-
ertion. Strong effort must be made
by every individual to do the highest
good within his ability to his fellows.
Life must be spent in constant exer-
ton with an eye single to the cause
of humanity and of the Heaven. He
IS good man who can live up to the
standard ! have outlined, for it in
wolves suburdination Of self to the
cause of humanity at large.
AS life in this world maans activity
and constant exertion, good man,
according to my conception, is moi
always free from adverse criticism anC
strung opposition. The very earnest
ness and zeal with which he is serving
the cause he represents, is often the
cause Of criticism and opposition.
He may sometime be represented by
his opponents as the worst characte,
to be found on earth; but one who
| can defy all opposition and misrepre-
sentation, and quietly pursue the
| course he has set for himself with an
unf1inching conviction that he is doing
right, with his conscience clear as day
light such is the man worthy to be
ranked with any good man IF any ma
tion and of any age.
| do not mean to say that a man
must be measured and judged by his
achievements or the extent of his &C.
Movements. In whatever station
of life he may be, he can be the high
est type of good man if he acts to the
extent of his ability in self subordlna-
tion to the good of his fellows.
1t must be remembered In this con
nection that the education one receives
enhances his duties and obligations to
society. So with man in public life
while his responsibilities grow in pro-
portion to the position he occupies,
he is offered at the same time greater
chances and opportunities for doing
good. He is the best man who under
such circumstances contributes most
toward the cause Of humanity in
bringing on earth peace and good
will.
And so l believe that a good man is
one who is always conscientious, con-
tinuously aiming to improve his
opportunities to help his brother men.
and ever seeking to promote the cause
of the society in which he moves.
One with clear conscience, ever On
the alert to do his duty, deserves the
name of a good man, whatever his
station in life. He is of the highest
tyne of good man who suhordjnatps