Tonopah bonanza. [volume] (Butler City [i.e. Butler], Nev.) 1901-1909, 1909-01-23
EDITORIAL COMMENT.
THE BONANZA'S LAY SERMON.

Text: Drop the hammer; take up the spade.
Unfortunately for the time-honored reputation of that respected
implement, the hammer, it has of late days become the emblem OF
the "Knocker."
The ~Knockera is a man whose pessimistc nature impells him to
strike a corner or a chunk off every good thing that comes along.
1t is a worthy deed that has been done, then he very sagey-with
knowing wink-informs you Of the unworthy motive that lies be-
hind it. Is it a grand achievement, then he cunningy points out to
you the accidental circumstances which brought it about. Is it some
noble characteristic in a fellow man that is being extolled, then he
sings in his "but"-and regretfuly mentions the unfortunate
weaknesses which accompany 1t? No matter what II may De la
comes up for praise. admiration or qualification; his hammer is out
and he must take a crack at it.
We have attributed this disposition to the pessimisic nature of
the individual Upon second thought, we believe we are mistaken.
The pessimist has some excuse for his gloomy tendency. To his
respondent mind the whole world is IN the down grade. Whatever
happens, happens for the worst. His heart seems incapable of
quickened action. 1t may be that the assimilation of his food.
through a natural defect in some digestive organ is only partial and
in consequence he has not sufficient vital energy to support the least
specific complaint, he is really a walking invalid, with the depressing
atmosphere of the sick chamber about him.
But if you will analyze the "knocker' you will discover the I'M
DERIVING trait OF his character to be vanity-inordinate, incurable
vanity; so blind that it defeats the very purpose it has in view,
namely, seif-exaltation, and instead exctes contempt. This inordi-
nate vanity deiudes him into the belief that he displays superior pen
eration by discovering faults, when others see only virtues. More
over, this same vanity is more or less wounded by the praise OF
others, no matter how far they may be removed from his own path
in life. To him there is but one man in the world worthy of praise.
That man is himself And even then, should you bestow some upon
him, he will be sure to knock a chip or so off with his hammer
partly through habit and partly to show that you are not entirely
right He is usually a very weak vessel and outside Of knock
ing possesses no talent at all-and very little in this.
Sometimes both pessimism, vanity and egohsm are found in the
same individual. Then you have the splenehc, peevish knocker: one
who not only discredts your praise, but pretends to show indgna-
ton on its bestowal.
The knocker from vanity usually affords us amusements by his
"chesty" pomposity. The pessimistic knocker exctes our pity; but
the knocker compounded of vanity and pesslmism calls forth dis
gust.
Then drop the hammer and take up the spade. The spade is the
emblem of benefeent industry and cheerful progress. 1t is used TO
turn up the proftless soil, that it may be kissed by the sun and
bring forth Tor mans use and qualification the fruits Of the earth
A word of encouragement to a striving fellow being acts FREE
quently like the timely rain upon the thirsty sprout The droop-
ing stalk is Strengthened, the sickly shade is displaced by heathful
color, and the blossoms of ratification come forth, which in turn
rinpns into fruit IN o1addan n hanrf Of him Uho hos a1nod 81 nrp
gress. There are none so great as to be above the inspiring help of
praise. The poet said: st
The love of praise, hover concealed by art,
Regns more Or less and glows in evry heart" t.I#