The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1910-04-29

Let him remember also that the
worth OF the ideal must be largely de
termined by the success with which Il
can IN practice be realized. We should
abhor the So called practical men
whose practically assumes the shape
OF that peculiar bsSeness which finds
It's expression In disbelief In morality
and decency. IN disregard of high
standards of living and conduct. Such
creature is the worst enemy OF the
body polite. But only less desirable
as citizen Is his nominal opponent
and real ally. the man OF fantastic
vision who makes the impossible bet
ter forever the enemy OF the possible
good.
The Slave % Names.
Much OF the discussion about social.
lSm and individuallsm is entirely point
less because of failure 10 agree ON
Technology. Il Is not good 70 be the
slave OF names. am a strong lndl-
vidualiSt 10y personal habit. inherit
Rnce and conviction. but Il IS a mere
matter " common sense 70 recognize
that the state. the community. the
eitizeus acting together. can do a mum
Der Of things better thsn il they were
left 20 individual action
The individualiSm which finds it's
expression in the abuse OF physical
force is checked very early In the
growth Of civilization. and we OF today
should in our turn strive TO shackle or
destroy that iudividualiSm which trh
umphs by greed and cunning. which
exploits the weak by craft instead Of
ruling them by brutality.
We ought to 40 with any man in
the effort 20 bring about justice and
the equality OF opportunity. TO turn the
tool user more and more into the tool
owner. to shift burdens so that they
can be more eQuitably borne.
The deadening effect on any race OF
the adoption u a logical and extreme
socialistic system could not be over
stated. II would spell sheer deStruc-
ton. Ii would produce grosser wrong
and outrage. fouler immortality. than
any existing system. But this does not
mean that we may not with great al
vantage adopt certain Of the principles
profeSsed by some given set of men
who happen 20 call themselves Social
lists.
! We are bound ia honor 10 refuse to
4 listen 90 those men who would make
US desist from the effort to do away
with the inequality which means in
Justice. the inequality ~ right. OF op-
portunity. OF privilege We are bound
in honor 70 strive TO bring ever nearer
1 ehsa InV hon - H.. l.
possible we shall be able 10 realize the
ideal that each man shall have an
equal opportunity TO show the stun
that is In him by the way in which he
renders service.
/ There are plenty OF men calling
themselves Socialists with whom up
20 certain point It Is quite possible
10 work II the next step l. one which
both We and they wish TO take. Yhy.
Of course. take II without any regard
20 the fact that our views as % the
| tenth step may differ. But. On the 9th
er hand. keep clearly iu mind that.
though Il has been worth while TO
take one step. this does not in the
least mean that It may not be highly
Instantaneous 10 take the next
| IL IS just as foolish 10 refuse all
progress because people demanding il
desire at some points 10 20 20 absurd
extremes As Il would be 10 20 to these
absurd extremes simply because some
Of the measures advocated by the ex-
tremlsts were wise
Persecution IS bad because it Is per
secution and without reference 10
i N fnh gF.1.4 Ia. OF ..
be the prosecutor and which the perse-
cuted.
Danger CT Class Hatred.
Class hatred IS bad IN just the same
way and without any regard 10 the
/ Individual who NJ n given time sub
| stitutes loyalty 90 class for loyalty
10 the pation or substitutes hatred Of
men because they happen 10 come In
n certain social category. for judgment
awarded them according TO their con
duct
In republic TO be successful we
must learn 20 combine intensity IL con
viction with broad tolerance Of diff
| ference Of conviction. Wide differ
ences Of opinion in matters Of religious.
political and social belief must exist II
conscience and intellect alike are not
10 be stunted. II there Is 10 be room
for healthy growth.
Bitter internecine hatreds. based on
such differences. are signs not OF ear
nestness Of belief. but Of that fanati-
| cism which. whether religious or anti
religious. democratic or anti-democrat-
&c. is itself but a manifestation OF the
gloomy bisotry which has been the
chief factor in the downfall Of so
many. many nations.
Good Patriot First.
l believe that man must be a good
patriot before he can be. and as the
only possible way Of being. a good cit
izen Of the world. Experience teaches
US that the average man who protests
that his international feeling swamps
his national feeling. that he does not
care for his country because he cares
so much for mankind. ia actual prac-
tice proves himself the foe Of man
kind; that the man who says that be
does not care to be n citizen Of any
one country because he is n citizen OF
the world is in very fact usually an
exceedingly undesirable citizen OF
I whatever corner OF the world he hap
/ pens at the moment TO be in
Nearly seven centuries ago Frois
sart, writing Of a time Of dire disaster
said that the realm Of France was
never so stricken that there We're moi
left men who would valiantly fighi
FOR it. You have had a great past.
! / believe that you viii have a grea
i fLltIlr