The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1909-06-03
NATIONAL ASSETS.

Our possessions are pronounced SOUND
and abundant. Yet, underneath this
material prosperity, what is it that really
enables ourselves and the rest of the world
to hope and believe that the United States
will have long stretch of "confident to-
morrows?' 1t is freshly buttressed faith
in American character. Much has been
saii OF credit, and what is credit but
character? Columns of summaries have
told of the cotton, steel, corn. cattle and
manufactured goods which attest ability to
pay debts, sustain industries and earn
dividens on stocks; but of what value
would they be if character failed? Re-
sources are dead matter without human
character to turn them into available and
convertible wealth. Russia has resources
probably greater than ours. China and
the Philippines have climate, soil, minerals
and forests. Character of kind their
people have, but not the stability of effort
which has created the United States.
Our schools, our factories our churches,
are working, all of them, as they are read
with clear perception of object and result,
to produce men, to strengthen and make
efficient the typical character of the Amer
lean people. It is nothing that factory
turns out a product of goods to-day. It lis
everything that the character of men is
being schooled so that tomorrow and next
week and as far as we can see ahead fac
tor;oc will ba dr;x-op RI NOM ont uoo1th for
the comfort of mankind.
For the plainest of occupations, it is
important that they be carried on by men
of character. No employment is so simple
that it can be we'll done without the charac-
ter which recognizes high moral obligation,
loyalty, truthfulness, sacrifice.
II the most material side of life rests on
character, how certain it is that there can
be no social progress worthy Of the name
unless We make and constantly renew the
supply of men and women of character.
The cynics tell US that in modern days
money is everything; that we flatter and
worship ignorance and coarseness if they
are gilded heavily enough. That is not
true, though there may be too much thought
of mere wealth. The truth rather lies in
the teaching that "men of character are
the conscience of the society to which they
belong 1t is they who guide the course
of country Or village. There may be
successful swindler now and then; some
times a Crnsus who is fool, rascal and
an ignoramus all in one. Such men do
not direct society. Ten of them-and ten
would be hard to find-do not have as
much influence as one of the "men who
have honor, men who do not lie.''
No man of weak or bad character could
be elected President Of the United States or
appointed Justice of the, Supreme Court.
Usually what We mean by poor character
in high office is that the character is not
as high as we think the place deserves.
What does it prove? Only that our ideals
are high and that the average of men in
office is admirably good. We mourn the
exception.
Even in commercial affairs it is character
which sustains and governs. Not perfect
character, perhaps. You might find flaw
somewhere; but in affairs small or large,
when men are in trouble, they flock around
the trustworthy moral character of those
who are strong in rectitude, strong in moral
courage, strong in telling the truth. The
man Of his word is the present refuge.
Our national wealth is not to be reckoned