Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1911-11-30
THE FUNNY SIDE


All times are funny if one has the
eye for humor, and the reverse is
true ii one has the mind to lay hold
on solemnity. The funny situations
in our present policies were hardly
ever rivaled, and that is true because
never before were there so many men
III plain view trying to lift themselves
by their shoestraps. Ii one could es-
cape the occupation of making some
forecast on the side of our dear coun-
try, he might laugh and grow fat
or lean, if the jolly exercise should
tend in that direction. 1t would be
nice if some playwright Of adequate
genius would marshal the types and
bring them into the hmelight. The
play as it is going on in real life is
for the most part behind the scenes.
which the newspapers report to an
extent, but inadequately. The humor
of 1T is largely wasted on the desert
air. and that which reaches the busy
world is the vail of voices like night
winds in thick and threatening sea-
son of discomfort. 1t one have only
a turn toward solemnity he has
creepy sensation, and things of evil
arise before him like ghosts in the
burial place of the dead. The humor
OF 1T is in what is unreal and in the
ways by which the contrary is made
to appear. The artists engaged ere
we'll up in their parts, and each for
himself does his best to secure recog-
milton as the leading man. Shall this
one or that discover the way out Of
the wilderness, overcome the villain
and rescue the fair Columbia for re-
union with her love and life of hap
plness ever after. 1t may be an old
play with larger setting, but the
imagination fixed on realism is ant
to pass by the humor and take on the
passion Of the stars. The old lights
of the mimic stage are gone, but the
stage remains and the box office re-
celpts were never greater. But we
are taught that unless the country is
saved within year twill be forever
lost, and the humor of the actors who
flash their swords and repeat their
lines is lost upon gaping multitude.
Yet all along the way are the graves
OF men, some truly great, truly noble,
and surely the servants of their race.
But what if the agents of our politi-
cal time should die in advance Of the
| completion of the regeneration of
their people? Solemnity adds shud-
der. In the midst of the quaking
there is torment in the company of
doubt. Who Of the number can save
the day and project the republic on
another century of life and useful
ness, with generations yet unborn to
rise up ard call them blessed?
That is the issue. And next year
at latest the die must be cast! The
funny side suggests salary and ambi-
tion nestled with which is the love
of notoriety and the charm of brass
band assembled in honor. The sense
of humor penetrates disguises, reads
between the lines. and does other
things unsuited TO the taste Of the
strident ones engaged in the task Of
making America howl. There is
more than the humorous side, but
there easily may be more than the
solemn side. 1t is worth something
to have faith in people living as faith
lives in the fathers gone, 1t is neith-
er brave nor helpful to live in fright
of goblins. The country would suf-
fer nothing if men in itch would cease
their cry for salve. Sioux City Daily
Journal