The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-03-06
By THE OPTIMTsT.

hands-to work for living. that is the
privilege which is given to all.
There are various forces behind the
labor that man does. Some work be-
cause they must. Theirs may be a con-
slant fight against the pack OF wolves
bowling at the door-poverty, sickness,
distress, and misfortune.
There are many such. To them the
future holds out no alluring pictures. Ak
cept as they build in the air impossible
castles, impossible Of realization. Did
you ever stop to think Of the innumer-
able masses of toiIers who have nothing
TO look forward to all their lives but
labor? Very likely they have had few
advantages for cultivation, or If they
have had them. they have been neg
lected until il is too late.
What do you suppose. have these peo-
pie 10 be optimistic over? Are they apt
TO believe us when we say that labor
IS a privilege, a God-given benefit? Is
the spirit of independence very strong I'm
the breasts of such as these? I am
afraid not, brother optimists. 1 feel that
you and I, who think and who labor
cheerfully with bright hopes for the
future. will not only have a hard time
putting ourselves in the place of these
toiling masses. but in enlightening them
as TO the uses and benefits of adversely,
as represented 10 them by labor. and
its attendant lack of all they can con-
jure up in Imagination as making life
worth living.
Freedom from the enthralling yoke Of
labor is the paramount wish of the ig-
noTant tOiler. And We cannot blame him
for this. All the way down the varying
grades of labor step by step. we may
pass In fancy, until We reach the bot
tom. where hard and heavy work. with
little return in the way OF wages, or
bodily comforts, is all that the poor
mortal knows of life.
Labor to US is what We make ito
them it is the inexorable law of existence
merely-there is no hope of release. no
promise, because Of the impossibilitY Of
seif-improvement, Of getting either the
time or the money TO better their con-
dition.
This country harbors many who have
FED from other lands because of just
such conditions. Here their opportuni-
ties are better and they learn independ-
ence and the full value of the fruits of
their toll. \ generation or two and
labor means something different TO them
than it did to their forefathers.
AS we go up the scale, we find that
labor is at a premium. The man or the
woman who is skilled in some art or
some craft is master of the situation,
and can command the worlds best
price Is this not a sufficient object les
son on the absolute necessity for every
one knowing how to do something use
ful?
Labor is reaping the benefits of educa-
ton, and side by side the two govern
the worlds progress and development.
Somehow the very word labor" con-
veys TO the mind a sense of security, of
usefulness. It IS an honest and salts
flying word. and brings to the enlightened
q mental vision of prosperity, happiness,
and understanding. Those who toll in
darkness are entitled TO the highest terms
of the word labor, bur unfortunately
many of them are beyond help in our
present social scheme. We can only hope
10 reach the rising generations and
teach them that labor does not neces-
sarily mean drudzery or degradation. but
strength and power. lifes very self.
In the optimistic mans catalogue OF
ideals. labor is inscribed high up on the
page 1t has a double meaning to an
optimist. It is not merely something
which comprehends the earning of a
daily or a weekly or a monthly stipend
something by which the material bene-
fits OF life are secured for self and loved
ones, but it includes a fine sense of be-
ing capable Of working for the general
welfare-of spreading the message of
optimism, self-help, and progress.
The optimist Is a laborer, whether he
works with his hand or his mind. or with
his heart. The optinlist is a humani-
tartan and his labor is derected in the
channels where it win do the greatest
good for the greatest number.
I hope there is not an optimist among
you who Is not laboring in this sense.
You can easily tell by results whether
your labor amounts to anything. I think
there is nothing more pathetic than mis-
directed and fruitless labor. but optimism
will help you against this It Is q spur
and impetus TO the best and most pro-
ductive labor.
And while on the subject Of labor
want you 10 remember that we are la
boring to make the club larger every
week. The growth of optimism cannot
be accomplished without labor, and I
want you TO put forth some efforts on
this behalf. I am glad to be able to re-
pert new members. day by day, as the
time goes OMIT IS a most encouraging
and healthy sign. 1t shows me that we
are all working toward the same results
the spread of optimism and good cheer
70 our fellow-men.
Health" which is the subject selected
for next Sunday, was suggested to me by
a lady who has been a member of the
club for long time. l want you all
20 follow her example and each give me
a topic for future discussion. There
may be some subjeet-an optimistic
thought-whlch has lain near your heart
for long time, and on which you
woule-1ike 70 hear the excellent com
ments and expressions of your fellow-club
members. The request for suggestions