Iditarod pioneer., 1912-01-13
SERMON ON KICKING

In his speech in Denver months ago, President Taft interected between the welounded periods of his defense of the socalled conservation policy paragraph on "kcking" We may kick against the situation as it is said be- 'bu you philosophers out here in the West, and philosophers know that kicking against the brakes doesn't help you It doesn do to abuse every body-that doesn't help bit Certain of stand it and have got point where it is normal condton."
 This pretty little sally, apparently directed at himself appealed to the audience and laughed at right heartily But on close inspection of the paragraph the President will noticed have slipped several cogs in that very quality of philosophy which he generously accrets to his hear In the first place it is not good moral philosophy to try still the kckng the single ground of its sup posed utityon the covert insinuation that power and justice is o he tIa determining factor. In the next place when he tlat listening complaints has become normal condition with himself he should give some reason why such is the As evidence that he is thick skinned to be wholly invincibe to sharp thrust little further in his address he grew distinctly when old asked ''Who the public do- main, Mr. Presdent! The United States the public doman answered Mir Taft and the United States is the people of the United sate which means much little, nohing according you construe it.
 But it is not the intention to discuss here President Tafts public policies The object is to borrow text from him and preach brief sermon kicks" and it will not do to wander from the subject He has sympathy and is reminded that Moses Iestered by kickers but lis tened to them with atience rassled with them with dis cretion and finally guided them into the Promised Land Also, that British ruler similarly pesered and had hard run of luck beginning about the time he told his American subjects there to kick against the brakes that he could stand it. and would really experience dulness of spirit the kicker all suddenly to be- satisfied.
 These and the lesson they furnish flexible. From the ruler to the ruled, from the captain of the works to the hired hand from the writer of letter the publisher of newspaper little bjgt is decreed that all must be subjected to kicks just and unjust and is up to each to deal with his according the circumstances attending it. No fixed rule will apply
 The important thing to be done by the kicked at is first to determine the honesty dishonesty of purpose of the kicker next the benes benes of the complaint and last to proceed strictly according to the merits of tue and the diplomatic needs of the sion far he is capable Granting that the kicker is sincere and that the kcedat is conscientious and discern ing kicks mighty correctives
 Of the insncere kckersthOse whose purpose it is at people for the sake of the trouble they make after the fashion of dogs at the heels of horses at their wOrkthat is another matter and harder to deal with But they cannot be ignored Arfu dodgers they out of the many intellectual blows directed at them in a while iron-shod heel will do it's work, and then there will be temporary peace.