The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1909-04-15

SALTWATER,
and that in case of war he shall fight
and die if necessary.
This, then, is our duty to tt e state.
TIE state being the community and
tie community being ourselves, what
is the duty of the state to us?
In the last analysis does it not come
down to the fundamental principles of
all government, mutual protection, mu-
tual benefit and mutual help?
obey the laws. work. give my
money to the community and III the
hour of her need fight for my country.
My country being my couDtrymen.
why should not my countrymen watch
over me in my hour of need, and either
provide work for me or give me food,
not only from the duty they owe me,
but also to protect thems elves from the
danger of allowing hungry, desperate
man to wander about at large?
The state insists that a man shall
maintain his children to certain age,
based on the idea that it is a duty he
owes society. Then why shouldn't the
state use every means to provide for
the wants OF its children? For nature
creates wants which must be satisfied.
1t might be said that the sta.e owns
nothing except what it collects from
the people in taxes for the purpose of
performing its legitimate functions as
legislator and administrator of such
laws as do not violate the constitution
al limitations. Or that it owns no
property which it has a right to give
away, even If that giving be to the
worthy poor, those who are anxious to
work for living and can find no en-
ployment. If this be true, why should
we have two codes of morals?
During the financial furry year or
SO ago Wall street speeulators demand
ed that the 81 ate should maintain Wal
sire ct in its possession of our country's
resources. The funds were handed
| over and Wall street took them as its
rights. There was no protest from the
business men or the we'll to-dO class
no one said that it would destroy in
centive. or that it was wrong for Wall
street to receive aid or maintenance in
times of panic. When they heard the
rumbling, which told them that their
tlimsy structure was about to fall they
rushed to their agents occupying state
positi, us, in charge of the national
funds, Tor props, aud they were given
golden ones. Why should those specu-
lators who have been branded by the
people and the press, as the most con.
scieaceless band of brigands that ever
infested the earth, receive state aid
This is a question that confronts us
whenever we are face to face with q
depression, when the number Of unem'
ployed increases by leaps and bounds
i. believe that legislators should pro
vide for the building of public roads
and the erection of public buildings
! Of course every man cannot work OF
the roads or the buildings, but indirect
ly they would give employment tt
! many Others in all walks of life and fo
: this labor living wage should be paid
Idon't claim that the state is under
obligation to support those who won
> work, but it is certainly duty to iegis
5 late so that all who need work shoult
. have an opportunity to get it. AS fo
3 those who won't work-we owe then
nothing for the simple reason that the.
t do not bear their share of the burden
!, imposed on them by society. In othe
0 words they shirk their duty. The poo
J, man has only his hands; they are hi
J, only commodity: but greatest of Al
y commodities is human labor. We ca
J, do without the states riches, but tn
J. state cannot do without our labor. Gu
r stake in the interest of the state is a
n great as that of any millionaire. w
love our wives and children as much q
the wealthiest man in the communit
l. loves his, and while we know that hi
g tory proves that only in those countrie
q where property is protested is civiliz;
y tion possible, yet human rights al
n greater than property rights.
IS believe there is no sadder sight in
y aginable than that of man willing
Is work but unable to obtain it, and wit
It a hungry family dependent upon hin
1t Is such man entitled to work? Vi
le hesitatingly, answer yes. In tn
rt glorious land of ours there should |