Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1912-05-17


just estimate of the worth of the
things forced upon our attention; can
you and | be loyal to the RESPONSE
bility that rests upon us as builders
in the worlds fabric of growth As
an example of the patience and sense
of personal responsibility which
should mark each individual, you will
recall the example of Ruskin, who,
when through his contact with the
working men of England, at the
Workingmen's College of London, he
became conscious of their earnest
ness, their diligence and their recep-
tiuty, awoke TO a whole new world
OF facts revealed to his eye and mind
by the conditions under which these
same men were living and working.
| and there came to him new view
of political economy and social well
being. At this moment. stung to the
quick by a sense of his own short
comings in the past, thrilled with the
conviction that economists and So
cialists alike had, in their treatment
of their respective subjects, been but
playing with ii, Ruskin did not turn
to the latest book of an economic
thinker of his own day, nor to the last
tract of a social agitator to assist him
in formulating his theory; rather he
turned to Plato and Nenephon and
from heir economic theories and stud
| les he guided and instructed his own
mind. He went back TO his favored
work and Fiesole, to a minute and
critical study of the sculptured
leaves and tracery OF the choir of its
cathedral; he turned to copy the
elaborate details of favored pictures
In the gallery of Tourin, that by this
patient, close. scientific scrutiny of
the work of the masters, he might
cultivate in his own eye the ability
to perceive accurately the distinc-
tons he felt called upon to study in
the world of England He went on
ward and upward to Cham ouni to an
intense study of the stones and fauna
of her mountains, that he might. by
a close knowledge of the economic
law of nature, gain insight into those
relations which one man should bear
to another. When he published his
two works. Time and Tide" and
Unto This Last" and scorn and
| ridicule met him on every side, he
remained unmoved amid its attacks
because conscious that he had spoken
only from deep conviction, only after
patient endeavor to know the truth
regardless of the cost to him to at
tain such knowledge. Only in one
or two instances did he avail himself
of the opportunity offered by adverse
criticism to enforce and re-state his
point. This serenity, this deep in
telligent regard for the knowledge of
the ancients and the permanent
value of scientific endeavor, no mat
| ter in what generation expended. or
in what avenue of life expressed
gave to Mr.. Ruskin's work a yalue
that was uniquely its own. In
most valuable life of him recently
published, the author points out in
chapter dealing with Ruskin's eco
monte work, that he advocated seven
principles of economic and social adj
vance for his country. and 1t is in
teresting to note that six of these
seven have, within the last 80 years
teen Incorporated by legislation into
the organic law of Britain.
There Is a lesson for each one OF
us in such work and leadership We
are often too ready to accept a book.
! an article in a magazine, or a state
ment in newspaper and allow 1t TO
change for us our previously held
opinion of men or measures. We
should demand that We know some
| thing of the right of the author of
TIE book or the article to speak to
us with any degree of authority be-
fore we accept or give weight to his
statements. We must not permit
ourselves to be influenced by every
plausible writer. rather we should
regard the dignity and essential per-
manence that lie in truth whether
spoken yesterday or the day before.
You recall that when Ruskin
sought for a motto to place at the
head of his diary day by day he did
not turn for a line or word from
Greek or Latin poet or philosopher,
nor did he seek in other ancient
languages a sentiment inspiring or
conscise. He took a word out of the
throbbing present to be his mentor,
judge. inspiration and constant re-
hinder of what life stood for to him,
and he wrote as his motto that one
word To-day" That was all he
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