The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1909-08-22

by THE OPTINIST.
Dare 70 bo true. Nothing can need a lie:
A fault. which needs it most. rowSstgo thereby
Herbert.
The thought. so beautifully expressed
gets at the very root and foundation OF
the principle of truth A lie. added tc
a fault merely accentuates the original
error. and creates another far warse one
am sure. my fellow optimists. that
when you saw the subject Of Truth" an
nounced for to-day none of you expected
10 be lectured on the sin Of lying.
respect the members Of this club far toe
greatly TO suppose that they need any
admonitions as TO the advantages OF
truth-telling The topic was suggested by
several OF the optimists. and think they
selected # more in the idea that optimists
are ever seeking out the great truths OF
life. At least that Is the sense in which
I understand the suggestion.
To know the truth is the optimist's
duty to himself We cannot perform
our duty as opt.mist, which Is to spread
the doctrine OF right living and a cheer
ful outlook. unless we are convinced
ourselves OF the stability of the argu-
ments we must bring 10 bear. Unless we
can truthfully bear testimony that optim-
ism is a help in the daily life we cannot
convert our fellow-men 10 our way OF
thinking. No arguments are Of any value
unless they have truth to back them UP.
Optimists must live the truth as well
as speak H. BY living the truth I mean
that we should conduct our selves with
open mindedness. with receptive ear for
the truth, an Indulgence for those who
sincerely oppose our views. liberation
for those who would cry US down on the
plea that optimism IS mere ignus
fatuoUs which we blindly pursue without
thought Of the way we are taking.
I have known people so pessimist!cally
inclined that they were not content with
the gloomy outlook on the world which
their crouch gave them. but We're
constantly bemoauing the fact that their
more optimistic fellows were rushing
Leadlong to destruction on account Of
their refusal TO take cognizance Of the
unhappy ,rend Of affairs IL is TO such a s
these ii Is upon such as these that we
opumists must turn the searchlight OF
truth Let US show them that optimism
does good wherever 10 is found. Let us
convince them that optimism Is not
fad. a pose. a species of crankiness. but
a great enllEhtenng truth a beacon 70
guide mankind away from the sorrows
and the miseries Of existence.
suppose. for the sake Of argument, we
believe what our pessimistic fellows say
and grant that optimism Is a wil-of-the-
wisp. a Gement of Imagination. II we
pursue this imaginary light over hill and
dale, only 10 land IN a bog at the end,
can we not show that we have passed
over many rough places without needing
them, that we have not noticed the
bruises ard the hard knocks OF the jour-
ney simply bec3usa our eyes have been
fixed in the light that has beckoned us
on. And ii In the end. we prove that our
beacon Is the truth after all we have a
big advai taee over the plodders who have
kept their ewes 20 the ground. and who
have moaned and groaned over every
stumble, and who. have lost their way
many times IN the darkness.
Optimism Is truth. and its application
20 our daily lives Is proof OF the fact
It's value as an ingredient for the make
up Of the days tasks and Joys is ines
Unable. Truth IS eternal. and so. neces-
sarily. Is optimism.
Cowper has written some beautiful lines
which want 90 quote here as illustrative
Of the optimistic idea Of truth:
Marble and recording brass decay.
Aud. like the TaVgs memory PASS away:
Tho works OF man inherit. as is just,
Their authors fnty. and return 20 dust;
Rut Truth divine forever stands secure
It's head as guarded. as its base is sure:
Fixed in the rolling food n endless years,
The pillar Of The eternal plan appears;
The raging storm and dashing wave dehes
Built By that Architect who built the skies
hope none Of you failed 10 notice the
large number OF contributions received
on THE value Of a smile" The increase
IN the number OF contributing members
has been quite large and we have a
great many left over, as It is. IN spite
Of the fact that the daily optimist column
Is supplied as we'll This latter feature
has proved very popular with the daily
readers and many expressions Of appre- /
citation have been made.
While the membership Is nearly double
what Is was four months ago. there is |
always room in the club for more optiu- |
lists. / hope that every member makes |
Il his aim 20 get some friend to ioin |
our hopeful brotherhood. thus continuing
the endless chain Of those who are
spreading the truth.
For the contest next Sunday I have
selected ''Self-control,'- IN obedience 20 /
the request Of many Of the members !
who seem 20 realize that this phase OF /
character is one which optimlsts should 4
exercise. The contributions for Self
control should be received here not later
than noon. on Wednesday. the 18th.
The FIRST prize in the Truth" contest
goes 70 Mrs. f. L. Barringer, 1883 O !
street for the following:
THE triumph Of truth IS worth mora
than physical life. II is better TO lose life
and save principle. than TO lose principle
and save life. Martyrdom in a good
cause. not useless squandering life.
The graves Of the martyrs mark the
onward march OF truth. Wherever human
character has been fearlcssly committed
10 truth that truth has won" -
A B. Fitzgerald 900 Twelfth street
southwest, receives second prize OF 50 for
this contribution:
Truth is a gem which is found az great
depth. II Is the basis of virtue and
should be the foundation stone. Of char
acter. Generosity, diplomacy, charming
aud all other qualities and
accomplishments are incomplete and al
most without value unless supported by
truth. Men may have brilliant minds
q host OF enthusiastic admirers. but IL
unreliable even his personal character
commands no respect. Those who are AT
first dazzled BIZ the luster OF his fame
soon discover the flaws under the sur
face. Without truth no permanent sue
cess can be attained either in business
or professional life A strict regard for
truth is the surest way for one 10
strengthen ones judgment and acquire
respect
The third prize OF g has been awarded
to Mrs. 2. D. Frank. 12s c street north
east. who contributes this thought: