The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-05-13
SAYS UNCLE CIV

Don't worry over the doctrine of deserts.
If you had yours, you might not be here.
The man who first designed that fatuous
doctrine was something worse than a
fool ANYHOW Nature knows II not and
what nature doesn't know isn't worth
knowing, for the very simple reason that
it does not exist. That good mother of US
all understands neither place, privilege,
rewards or deserts. She recognizes only
necessities. At that point most of our
philosophers differ with their unhonored
go about seeking rewards of merit, bright
red apples for good behavior, a knife for
promptness and top for excellence in
studies.
Ounce caps for all of them, What they
need is less of schools and more humanity
at their good mothers knee. If they were
not amazed in the windings Of their own
little mentalities and knew the secret of
that simplicity which is as that of little
child not yet spoiled by its tutors, they
and their followers would come by more
laughs and fewer heartaches.
Sit you here in row, philosophers and
sages all! 'Tention, please! Once more,
natural law knows nothing of rewards.
1t takes cognizance only of necessities,
which is another way of saying that 1t
sticks to the principle of cause and effect
in way that you have never dreamed
you with your financial striped sticks of
candy for good little girls and -bugaboos
for bad little boys
We grow great on what we need and
are capable of absorbing, not upon re-
we are not blessed for virtue but by it.
Similarly, we suffer by and not for our
sins.
ton through force-force physical, mental
or moral. The doctrine of deserts is ut
terly foreign and abhorrent to every nat
ural thing. 1t implies the attainment of
platform will tell you, is an abomination
in these days of riotous Democracy, Re
publicanism and Bull Moosism.
The strong man has more, not because
strength deserves more, but because 1t
gets it-gets it in the same way that a
big tub catches more water than little
short one.
II deserts governed our lives on this
earth, the harmless, inoffensive little in
competent would have all the luxuries of
life. while the bully of the markets would
go in rags. But he doesn't: The condition
strong have and them as has gifts be-
cause they have multiplied their strength
by the leverage of their possessions: The
whole point of this heretical homily is
that you are wasting your time looking
for rewards. If you get one, you have
done your neighbor an injustice. You
have enjoyed something denied to him.
You are one of those unspeakable bene-
ficiaries of special privileges and should
be wearing patent leather shoes, a spike
tailed coat and two-gal1on hat. You may
be as little and poor as a church
mouse, but you are not one of the great
common people. You belong to the priv
ileged class.
Not that it does not pay to be good.
Righteousness is simply adherence to the
principles of the common good, and is its
own natural recompense. It brings its
own peculiar benefits, quite in the same
manner that the big tub catches more
water than the little one Being in line
with the common good, it ordinarily es-
capes opposition and the disaster that
comes to those who seek to interfere with
the interests of others-always provided
that Righteousness is strong. A weak
kneed righteousness isstfle same kind of
curse Weakened vil1ainly.
H. hon Var CT
what your physical, mental or moral
strength brings you-what you earn-no
more. no less. As to deserts, in the words
of the ancient man in the still more
cient fable. there amt no such ANIMAL
Copyright, 1913. by the Mcclure News
paper ,Syndicate)