Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-04-30
PEOPLES PULPIT
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Editor Courier: .r- g..
Mr. McGahey of Ottumwa, Iowa, in
his article on socialism says he shall
try to puncture some of my argu.
ments. He should remember that to
puncture anything 1t takes an impell.
dispel the attack, and I defy him to
produce any arguments ever advanced
by Sinclair, Debs, Warren, Work, or
any other socialist that could compete
for a seconds time with those OF
Washington, Adams, Hamilton, Jeffer-
son and Madison. In your definition
of socialism you say socialism aims to
secure the reconstruction OF society,
increase Of wealth, etc. Mr.. McGahey,
please underscore the word "aims. "
We all aim to do things, but only the
men with brains, backbone, vim and
energy live to see their aims COM
pleted and are termed successful.
Bryan aimed to reside in the white
house, but as yet no one has read his
message to congress, so please under
line the word "aims."
Because said it would take micro
scope to find any logic in Works book
Whats So and What Isn't" you reply
by saying it was evidently too deep
for me. Mr.. McGahey, If lack of logic
signifies depth of knowledge, I must
compliment you upon your erudition.
My conception of socialism is that 1t
intends to secure public ownership
and popular management of all means
of production and distribution and all
land; the adjustment of rent, Inter
est and profit; the adjustment Of pri-
vate ownership of capital. If this Is
socialism, affirm it. If it is not, pick
out the flaws.
You say the poor children have not
the same opportunities for advance
ment that rich children have. Let me
insert here a short quotation from
Cary:
Diving and finding no pearls in the
sea,
Blame not the ocean, the fault is
in thee"
The opportunities exist and mans
greatness depends upon his ability to
grasp them. Consult your history and
find from what parentage, rich or
poor. the leading lights of history
sprang. To be born rich is to be born
in prison. A rich mans son may lead
dance, but he can't lead men. He
may have theoretical knowledge, but
he lacks the practical experience.
"He who sits on the cushion of ad-
vantages goes to sleep"-Emerson.
You say our present system of gov
eminent offers us a nice home-in the
poor house, and cited Col. Bellville. If
that is what your future expectations
are, you are bigger pessimist than
want to give you credit for.
Mr.. McGahey says we intend to
make "the government subservient to
the people =. that all just govern
ments derive their power from the
consent of the governed" If that Is
your aim please tell me when our gov
eminent ceased to be subservient to
the people. If our government does not
derive its power from the consent OF
the governed, why don't you plead
your case before those who hold the
power instead of pleading it before
the people whom I claim still hold
the power.
You say it was previous training
which Sheridan's men had which en-
abled them to win the battle Of Win
chester. Who directed this training? If
the training had not been sufficient
the cooperation of his army, would not
have won the victory. They could not
secure this training in a moment. yet
history states that the instant Sheri-
dan put in his appearance a rout was
changed into an advance. Standing
alone Sheridan could not have de-
feated a. corporal's guard, but without
him his army could not have won the
battle His presence was 1ndispens-
able. His personality Gndividualism)
50 encouraged his men that they
swept their enemy before them, be-
coming the victors instead Of the van
quished.
I notice you still dwell upon Works
assertion There is no virtue in saw
ing" You ask If man should invest
his 81 at the end Of month or at
the end of six months when he would
have $25 saved Perhaps you think
this an insignificant sum and would
treat it with derision, but in fifteen
years. invested at five per cent, it
would exceed $1,000. Would you sheer
at it then, and fifteen cents day is
not much to save If you are refrain
ing from saving for fear that you will
plunge this country into panic, you
certainly are patriot, zealously
guarding your country's interests.
leave this to the judgment of our audi
ence. whether or not there is any wis
dom in saving. Nov I have sheep
and cow. everybody bids me good NOR.