Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-10-17

Entsred 90 second class matter
4 October II. 1908. at the postonlce, ~ O
eumwa, Iowa. under the ACT 81 SA
0fesS Of March :. 1879.
AVERY "PERsoNAL NARRATIVE"
Commenting editorially on Senator
La Follette's history OF his own life,
the first chapters Of which have ap-
peared under Mr.. La Follette,s sigma
ture. the New York Times says:
Ia Follettes Autobiography be-
run in the current number Of The
American magazine, is likely to prove
an informing contribution not only to
political history but to the discussion
Of current politics. The author an
nounces himself as pioneer in the
progressive movement" and he is go
ing to tell his "own story" for "the
express purpose of exhibiting the
struggle for more representative
government" and to "cheer on the
fighters in that cause" He frankly
trusts that the articles may be the
means OF causing many men to think
sas one and to fight as one"
He is the one.
In pursuance Of this purpose the art
OF the photographer is called in to
show the author on his mothers knee
at the age OF 3; in his roundabout
at 9; as he looked when he was in
oratorial contests at college at rs, and
finally as he appears at Sc in his
chair in the United States senate. AS
human documents the series of por-
traits have their value. Whether they
will increase the admiration of the
public for their subject is matter on
which he is entitled to his own opinion.
We should doubt it, They are accom-
panied by very good portrait Of the
late Robert G.. Ingersoll. Beneath it
MI. La Toilette inscribes these lines:
"Ingersoll had a tremendous 1nhu-
ence upon me, as, indeed, he had upon
many young men Of that time, 1t was
not that he changed my beliefs, but
that he liberated my mind. Freedom
was what he preached: he wanted the
shackles OF everywhere.
Elsewhere Mr.. La Toilette declares
that Ingersoll took q powerful hold
on my imagination; he was a rare,
bold, heroic figure" He quotes largely
from the colonel's oratory, thought him
the greatest orator he had ever heard.
and tells how, standing in the post Of
fice before. poster containing one OF
Ingersolvs speeches. "oblivious Of
my surroundings, read it with tears
streaming down my face"
A man may be known by the heroes
he chooses. Mr. .Ingersoll clearly was
the chief hero of Mr.. La Toilette. He
was not q nice one. lie was popular
orator, but not Of high type. His
main purpose was to undermine the re-
ligious beliefs of the people among
whom he lived, and this he did in the
name Of freedom" Mr.. La Toilette
was apparently an eager victim Of
that cheap device. In 1880, as now,
there was perfect freedom as to re-
ligious belief, as was shown by the
fame and fortune Ingersoll won in
ridiculing the beliefs Of a majority of
Americans. The crusade in which he
engaged was as big piece Of humbug
as our history affords. The man who,
at this late day, can describe 1t as
.sbold' and "heroic" betrays a curl
Gus lack of perspective and good deal
Of gullibility. We may add that Mr..
La toilette entirely ignores the in
glorious close of IngersolPs career.
He wound up as counsel Of the star
route thieves, for whom he exerted not
only his ability as lawyer and pleader
AS he had right to do II he chose
but the political influence which he had
at the time. We should say that Mr.,
La Follette's emotional alteration OF
Ineersoll would not tend to win the
confidence OF the sober people OF the
middle west in the cause" which he
processes to embody.
THE cHuRcHMEN's WARNING.
"There are at least two prominent
onnonents of the initiative and refer.
49,. ID +YIo roca11 - fho SiouY City.