The Washington herald., 1909-05-02
Moral Courage Rather
than Physical Results
in Useful Men and
Women. Self Sacri-
flee VIII be Discussed
Next Sunday.
By THE oPTIsIIsT.

Unshamed thoCgh f0iled he docs the bcst be can,
Force is q brutes. but honor Is q nan.
wonder Il ny feIlow-optinists have
ever stopped to consider how much cour-
age it takes nowadays TO 1--we ones life,
I'D 10 the best that IS IN him. IN an
povncipg Courage" for the topic for
discussion this Sunday. after making the
discovery that it was the popular favorite
among the suggestions received from The
club members. I thought that 1t was
perhaps one OF the most appropriate
themes for optimistic discussion that we
have had. am rather inclined 70 the
opinion. and am sure ] viii not find
many OF the Optimists who viii disagree
with me. that "Courage" means optimism
in a fine sense. Il takes courage 10 live
an optimistic life and 70 live Up 20 the
requirements Of such a designation
All optinnists are brave. They fight the
battle OF life without faltering, with an
answering devotion TO the principles Of
right living and with their eyes on goal
which represents higher things Life
is fun OF examples OF courageous hearts.
who. in the face Of tremendous ODDS, fight
bravely for the betterment OF themselves
and for humanity. Instances Of such
courage appear almost constantly before
Us. and are brought to our attention IN
various ways.
The courage Of the father Of the family,
who. on a small wage. too small, IN fact.
10 be on = level with the requirements
sz-r =
ence. rears up his children and protects
his family against the buffetinss CT the
world. setting his face resOlutely against
the attractions that present themselves
on ali sides for a deviation from his
hard. and sometimes almost iutoleraole
lot excites our admiration. He enusts 70
his aid the courage that IS born OF optim-
ism-the hope for better DAYS. the realizs-
ton that there viii come a time when
his children viii be self-suppoTtng and
perhaps able 70 help him, after his strug-
gle with life has rendered him unit for
further battle. There are thousands and
thousands Of such honorable and admir-
able men among US to-day. whose battle
with the world is continual and whose
vista looks down long. long weary road
OF toll but they are brave enough 70
their daily tasks with a smiling and
cheerful face. and b. their helpful atti-
tude maybe give aid 20 some brother in
distress
There Is tie courage Of tbs wife and
mother. who tolls from early morning
until late ar night. who might give UP
10 vain regrets that there are those about
hsr whose lot n life IS far more attrac-
tive But she is brave and she works OF.
Something more than mere instinct I'm
pels her-it Is a consciousness that task
is half done which is approached II The
proper. spirit OF courage She may never
I be commended for her part in life Fame
will probably never reach her, and her
brave and noble efforts in life will very
likely pass unnotiCed- but she is none the
I less one Of LIES heTOines- To have lived
and to have suffered uncomplaininsly
makes one heroic
The bravery OF the soldier who goes
! forth 10 fight is much lauded in history
and IN sonz. Praises are heape6 upon
those successful in war. and returned
/ heroes are heaped with lsurels and loaded
with honors. These represent the physi-
| cal bravery. which is partly instinct and
partly a desire for tangible reward The
man who nights with his hands, or with
( firearms is only justified in doing 50 when
/ the defense Of his country or his home Is
{ the excuse. AL other physical bravery
I is mere fOoIhardiness. or desire for self
/ aggra Indictment
I The morally courageous are the real
/ heroes OF ufe-the father and the mother
( lust mentioned. or any individual who
Z faces the world sqUarely and fairly.
with a determination TO give 10 the worl5
his best endeavors and his finest quail
ties. The man who walks up 10 the can
mons mouth IS TO more 10 be lau6ed fer
his action than the man who TeSOlutely
turns MS head against worldly tenpta-
tons and lives up 10 the courage that IS
born Of his inner convictions
In Macbeth. the quotation appears
da7e do al that nay beccns = MAJ;
and may be applied more appropriately
10 moral courage than 10 physical. I
think the sentiment expressed and the
tram OF thought that Is suggested by the
quotation IS exceedingly apt. and one 70
which nv optimists viii be more than
willing 10 subscribe Unless we live as
/ becomes men. and women. too, We cannot
be said 10 have realized the best that
life has to offer US. The cowardly acqui-
escence in the easier way. IS unworthy
Of human beings who can think and
reason.
The Washington Herald Optlmist Club
stands for the worth.est and the noblest
side OF mankind For weeks and weeks
III the past We have labOred and strivel
in the ways op5n TO Us, 70 spread the doc
tri-s Of optimism. and because We meet
with opposition and doubt is no reason
why We should weakly cease our efforts.
We want TO represent every quality
that means true optimism Courage is
one Of the finest evidences Of a hopeful
and helpful view OF life. We hope no
body VIII ever accuse any member OF
this club Of falling TO do his or her duty
or OF shirking any Of the responsibilities
that come with avowed allegiance to the
club motto. Let's Help" II takes cour-
age TO help. and it means something 10
wan q moral battle nowadays Most Of
US realize this very forcibly.
Courage is generosity OF the highest
order. for the brave are prodigaI Of the
most precious things" says Cotton So,
brother and sister Optinists, let US be
prodigal. yes. lavish with our gifts. Let
US give our feilow-creatures who nse5
il the best optimism and the best good
cheer that We can muster 20 their aid.
not because We want the worlds praise
or TO be crowned with .aurels OF victory.
but because it is the only way in which
the inner voice Of conscience can be sat-
isfed
Don't forget that next Sundays talk
wiu be on "Self-sacrifce. a quality
which is closely allied 10 courage, and
which IS directly associated with opfim-
ism. also want TO reiterate my request
for the members Of the club 20 send in
their suggestions for subjects to be Sc
iected for future contests Every one
should feel that he has q personal inter
est in the welfare Of the club. and as the