Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1913-12-25

AOho AoRAlA 1T
and the nation finds incentive in its
own achievements and natural bles-
sings to misuse which would consti-
tute a national crime. II the individ-
ual and the nation are guided by the
experiences Of the past as they should
be, the new year will be marked by
progress and prosperity such as they
have lever before enjoyed.
At the very outset it should be borne
In mind that the individual is the foun-
tain source of national progress and
prosperity. The spring feeds the
stream, streams unite to form rivers,
and mighty rivers replenish the evap-
Grating oceans. Let the spring fail,
the stream dries up, the river fails,
and the ocean sinks below it's natural
level. So the individual, even the hum
blest, must continue his contribution
to the rising tide of prosperity, If he
would draw from that prosperity for
his personal needs, just as the spring
draws from the ocean through the con-
densation of it's evaporated waters
the rain that waters the land. The
element of personal responsibility can
not be discounted without endangering
the welfare of all-neither by the indi-
vidual himself, nor by society. A
proper sense of responsibility compels
seizure upon every opportunity within
reach.
If there has been one idea more mis-
chievous than another, as regards in
dividual activity, it has been the one
embodied in the ~oft-repeated phrase,
The world owes me a living" 1t
does if one earns it, but the world
has nothing to give to the lazy, the in
dolent, the ~sluggard. In its compensa-
ton the world is reciprocal-it pays
back, on the average, just about what
the individual contributes, sometimes
rewarding m~eritorious effort generous.
ly. Success comes to those only who
make good. There is natural law in
the business world, and obedience to
that law is as essential as observance
of civil law if there is to be individual
prosperity. Certain it is that for VIC
lation of all law there is penalty which
is sometimes v
Nor is there any excuse for failure
to do ones part because of the appar
ent prosperity of others at his ex
pense. y Human experience has shown
that a part of society cannot lont
prosper at the expense of the whole
and that a part cannot long prosper a
the expense of another part. This ex
perience has also accorded with nat
ural law which rules on the principle
of general averages, in spite of man,
apparent exceptions. The secont
great mistake lies in arguing from
exceptions, a mistake which is Away
productive of conclusions
Exceptions but make good the rul
which only can be the basis of reasol
which in turn, if good, excludes exceT
tons. Sound reasoning demands legit
mate excuse which cannot be found i
individual failure.
Therefore, the new year with all it
opportunities appeals to you. 1t place
responsibility on you. Its message !
ITS up to you" If 1914 shall prov
a year of prosperity to you, it is b.
cause you will have merited success
if, on the other hand, 1914 shall hav
proved a year Of failure, you will hav'
in some measure, at least, been II
sponsible. As with the individual, S
with the nation.
Let the cynics say what they will
there's logic in the JOY the world find
: in New Years. One day may be muc
like another, but every day is a fres
beginning" The years come and 6
! bearing nearly the same freight of so
. row and failure and bitter disappoin
: ment, but always hope feels the thri
, and uplift of a new chance for huma.
ity, at the turn O. the year, and all Thu
makes life worth while is touched
hopes magic.
New Years comes with the increas
:, Of light and the slow retreat of dar