Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1912-12-13
AERQ.AMERICAN CUL[|NCS

Most men are, by nature, knaves:
and left to their own devices. will
exhibit the characters within them.
paths of crookedness are the most
often trodden, because the task seems
easier, and greater benefits to be de-
rived from its acceptance. The acts
NAV be the result of human frailties;
hut they often arise from studied
effort on the part of many to evade
the obligations which should rectify
conduct and control individual lives.
some OF the greatest evils. by winch
society is afflicted. spring up from the
source OF base chicanery nursing its
beginning in sordid hearts. In bust.
ness as we'll - professional careers,
II Is the duty OF every one to protect
his reputation; but, In order to accom-
plish 1t, he must, necessarily, be
particular as to the choice Of individ.
uals with whom he has to deal. Very
often. confidence, implicitly placed. Is
fearfully abused; and he. by whom, 1t
Is given, suffers for his folly through
the injury he receives. At all times,
in all place and in every walk of life.
there are schemers Of every ilk. whose
inclinations prompt to the commits
sion OF unholy deeds; nor are they
ashamed to face their neighbors and
pose in the garb Of honesty. Some
O. the drawbacks which hamper use
fulness and warp efforts in attempts
at progress. arise from perverted JUS
tice, which finds itself powerless Of
exertion where unrighteous force pre-
walls. Hollow professionalism void
OF the mantle OF sincerity, greatly
damages our material welfare. places
the stamp of infamy upon all whom
IT touches and tramples upon the
blessings. which, otherwise utilized.
would create great reward. Life.
character and reputation are, often
dependent upon the manner in which
we improve our opportunities. whether
it serves us well or Ill. Pathways
OF life lead through grave entangle-
ments and are replete with errors:
yet, they sometimes prove beneficial
to those who are caught therein. If
they serve as correctives to future
aims. In search OF necessities for
sustenance, our wants multiply in
ratio greater than our needs: and
covetousness steps In to take posses.
sion whenever chance presents. Even
In the advanced stage OF civilization
there fingers a tinge Of savagery.
which that man, unchecked by the
hand of authority. would revert to his
primitive Justice. and trust his fortune
to the survival of the fittest. Preten-
sions. welding deceptive influences,
mislead the unwary: and, sometimes.
wisdom itself is misled by the glare.
Falsehood is often mistaken for truth;
and demons don the garb OF angels
when they study to deceive. These are
channels through which many struggle
for renown; but distinction, thus oh.
tanned, is lasting curse. 1t is sci.
fshness but selfdenial that prompts
the activity OF noble men in behalf Of
their fellows; for true greatness Is
accorded in proportion to the good
performed in the interest of humanity.
Get while you can, Is the motto of
greed. no matter whom it destroys:
judgment as we'll as common sense
is questioned when the immoderate
lust for gain Is permitted to usurp the
position of honest deal. These are
lessons which should be considered by
the negro race particularly: because
at the very outset of it's career. short
comings Of any description are more
injurious to its prestige than to that
of the opposite race whose advantages
are greater. Let the Negro deal as
he would be dealt with; apply to self
the Golden Rule as he would do to
others, and the sleeps which now con-
front him would be easier to scale.
There was run" on the Mechan-
les Saving bank. Of Richmond. Va!.
recently, but instead of going into the
air, President John Mitchell. Jr.. went
down to friendly white banks and got
a CARLOAD Of money and piled it. upon
his cashiers counter. with order to
pay every depositor that demanded
his money. The run" did not get
far after the depositors we're con-
WINGED that their money was safe in
the bank. The officers OF two white
banks stood near Mr.. Mitchell and
the CARLOAD Of money as the deposit !
tors lined up. to the window. The
run" was started by man who
wanted a check cashed after bank
hours: the run" was stopped bv the
president Of the bank who was ready
to paw dollar for dollar on demand.
We congratulate Mr.. Mitchell. When
negro bankers and business men gen.
orally stand up to their obligations
as they are learning to do it. thew will
pain more and more the confidence OF
their own people and have plenty Of
white people to back them up in times
Of trouble.-New York Age.
Procrastihation sometimes saves
nan from making fool of himself.
L.