The Leavenworth echo. [volume] (Leavenworth, Wash.) 1904-current, 1910-05-06

the ideals that he breaches Tor others
Let him remember also that the
worth of the ideal must be largely de-
termined by the success with which it
can In practice be realized. We should
abhor the so called practical" men
whose practically assumes the shape
of that peculiar baseness which finds
Its expression In disbelief Ia morality
and decency, In disregard of high
standards of living and conduct. Such
a creature is the worst enemy of the
body polite. But only less desirable
as a 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.
Tho Slave Of Names.
Much of the discussion about social
ism and individualism is entirely point
less because of failure to agree on
Technology. 1t is not good to be the
slave of names. am strong indi-
vidualist by personal habit. inherit
ance and conviction. but 1t is mere
matter of common sense to recognize
that the state. the community, the
citizens acting together. can do num-
Der of things better than If they were
left to individual action.
The individualism which finds Its
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 individualism which tri-
umphs by greed and cunning, which
exploits the weak by craft instead OF
ruling them by brutality.
We ought to go with any man In
the effort to 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 of logical and extreme
socialistic system could not be over
stated. 1t would spell sheer destruc-
ton. 1t would produce grosser wrong
and outrage, fouler immortality, than
any existing system. But this does not
mean that we may not with great ad
vantage adopt certain of the principles
protested by some given set of men
who happen to call themselves Social
lists.
We are bound in honor to refuse to
listen to those men who would make
US desist from the effort to do away
with the inequality which means in
justice, the inequality of right. of OPP
portunity, of privilege. We are bound
In honor to strive to bring ever nearer
the day when as far as is humanity
possible we shall be able to realize the
ideal that each man shall have an
equal opportunity to show the stuff
that is In him by the way In which he
renders service.
There are plenty of men calling
i themselves Socialists with whom up
to a certain point 1t is quite possible
to work. If the next step Is one which
both we and they wish to take, why.
of course, take 1t without any regard
to the fact that our views as to the
tenth step may differ. But. on the 9TH
er hand, keep clearly in mind that,
though It has been worth while to
take one step. this does not in the
least mean that 1t may not be highly
disadvantageous to take the next.
II Is just as foolish to refuse all
progress because people demanding 1t
desire at some points to go to absurd
extremes as It would be to go to these
absurd extremes simply because some
of the measures advocated by the ex-
tremists were wise.
Persecution is bad because 1t Is per-
secution and without reference to
which side happens at the moment to
be the prosecutor and which the perse-
cuted.
Danger of Class Hatred.
Glass hatred is bad In just the same
way and without any regard to the
individual who at given time sub
stitutes loyalty to class for loyalty
to the nation or substitutes hatred OF
men because they happen to come in
a certain social category, for Judgment
awarded them according to their con-
duct.
In republic to be successful we
must learn to combine intensity of con-
viction with a 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
to be stunted. If there is to be room
for healthy growth.
Bitter internecine hatreds, based on
such differences. are signs not of ear
nestness Of belief. but OF that fanat-
cism which. whether religious or anti
religious, democratic or anti-democrat-
ic, is itself but manifestation of the
gloomy blgotry which has been the
chief factor In the downfall Of so
many, many nations
Good Patriot First.
| believe that man must be 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
| fhat his international feeling swamns