Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1913-05-01
AS A VOICE CRYING ALOUD

voice crying aloud upon an age o
reckless spending, idleness on tn
part of many who should be at worK
and time when people are spending
more than they reasonably shoull
spend. There is really less cause fol
the hue and cry about the high cost o.
living than there should be. There
should be more talk of real, downright
hard work plain honesty and whole.
some thrift and economy.
When has a better example of this
been shown to the world than Heller
Keller's recent action. This remark
able woman, without sight and with
out speech, has made for herself a
name imperishable She might have
rested idly on the laurels already won
and in the achievements of character
already accomplished, but she refused
to do so. She will not become a de-
pendent. There is within her that
fire, spirit of independence which
should actuate every one who is able
to do so to make an Independent liv-
ing.
There are right here in Americas
broad-shouldered, able-bodied men
who are actually depending upon rel
atives, or even worse, upon their
wives, to earn living. They are we'll
fed, prosperous-looking but there is 4
shiftlessness within them that argues
no good for them nor for those who
may follow their examples. 1t is
pathetic to see these men idling their
time away while others labor to sup
port them. This is pathetic phase of
modern life and one which needs cor
rection. The dependent male" IS
worse than parasite He is criminal,
to all intents and purposes Can the
example of Henelen Keller ever be an
inspiration to such as he?
Of this remarkable woman the At
lanta Constitution says:
In this era of eager supplications t.
millionaire philanthropists the sturdy
independence of Helen Keller, blind
and deaf, is g refreshing inspiration
One would naturally think that if any
individual were justified in accepting
aid from wealth it would be Miss Kel-
Ter, whose handicaps are we'll known
But the other day she visited Andrew
Carnegie and when he offered to en-
dew her with $4,000 year for life, she
gently but positively refused his pro
position.
And what was the reason given by
this remarkable woman? Il feel thai
l am able now to provide for myself,
she said, and want to make my owe
little place in the world l do no
want to feel dependent on any one.
want to give back to the world some
service for all that has been done fol
me and to feel that it is my own con
tribution" Asked why she had ac
cepted aid toward her education ant
now refused it, she replied that at tina
time her family was too poor to as
sist her, but that now no excuse exist
for her calling upon others.
1t is to be hoped that this illustra
ton of courage, of independence .
spirit and initiative will be sprea
broadcast. 1t is the easiest thing i
the world to whine against obstacle
such as those imposed upon Miss Kel
Ter and to settle down to life of use
lessness and impassivity. She did nc
follow that course Arduously, pain
fully, fighting every inch of the way
she acquired an education rarel
matched even by normal individuals j
this country. Instead of being
charge, she is in a position not onl
to support herself, but also, as she eA
presses it, to make some return i
service for all that society has don
for her
A great many persons whom Prov
idence had not afflicted would gras
" tbo g M, ~