Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-12-23
Tuesday, December %, 1913.
To Our Readers.

Al the close of a year in whlch ths
1x.r,.bec Journal has enjoyed graft
flying progress. and in which 1t mas
,eceived 7attering commentator from
that class of people which its pro-
urtetors have always deemed lore
most in the character and inteiilsehce
of our progressive State, we look with
confidence to the coming year. IL we
are making a better newspaper
greater educational factor, a stronger
moral force, than ever before 1t Is be-
cause our readers are demanding IL
for we are doing our best to interpret
the wishes of the better elements Oh
Maine eitizenry. II we are on the
right road in 1913, we fully intend 10
follow the same road in 1914 with more
confidence, better facilities and our
moral and mental powers reinforced
nv the approval and support of
clientele unexcelled by any, OF It's
units, in America.
If. in the months just passed, we
have been the mark of severe criticism
and bitter denunciatiou, we have
found satisfaction in contemplation OF
those diatribes aimed at US. To our
minds. the highest praise we have re-
ceived, has been the frantic efforts OF
evil forces to discredit US.
Thus we find little cause for regrets
or complaint. We greet our friends
on Christmas morning in cheer and
optimism. We wish them all the
happiness of the glad season, and may
they enter the happy new year with
new determination to get the BEST
out of life.
Each of US today stands at the
threshold of a new and glorious OPP
portunity. Let us strike out the past
except for the lessons we have
wrought out Of it. Let us begin
new LIVING. We have seen and
recognize the evils and the follies and
the pitfallssall about US. Our ex-
periences thus far in life have taught
US. We have that advantage: let US
improve ii. Let US discontinue our
foolish extravagances; let us rigidly
wipe from the slate our habits. We
are creatures of habit and following.
Like sheep We go after the leader.
even when we know he is a mutton
head, because we have inherited ana
have cultivated the habit of doing as
others do
We have not made good on the old
job, yet if we were turned out today
and hunted out another with the same
inducements we would think ourselves
lucky, and would resolve to do better
and to make of it a life work. BY
the same reasoning let us tackle the
old job, which we have not lost, with
new determination and a new consum
ing desire to make good" on it. II
can be proud to continue as life
work, then the sooner you make up
your mind TO the right one and get it,
the better.
The old job, of which we have made
failure. is a new opportunity il we
go at it in that light. backed by ex-
perience and renewed determination.
In Sunday paper editorial a car
toon shows the prevailing diversion of
men to be driving Dull Care" Ia
snarling old hag) away. In a COM
panion drawing, Dull Care has the
same men in chains and is driving
them, under the lash. We wish
every man and boy in the country
were obliged to sit alone in silent
contemplation of that cartoon for one
hour The lesson is all there; it
needed not the pungent paragraphs
grouped around it to tell the intelli-
gent human being its meaning. The
poor cowardly soul who pours in
whiskey, or other nerve deadener and
ntelligenee-remover, to drive Dull
Care away" is but welding the
chains upon his own wrists and
ankles by which she will later drive
him.
Let us meet Dull Care frankly and
fearlessly and she is not such hide
Gus creature after all--merely a lesson
in the great scheme of Gods clarity
ing process.
In this hour and in all earnestness
and hope. we wish you, one and all, a
merry Christmas and an increasingly
worthy and serviceful 1914.
Remove the Worst First.
An exchange calls attention to thu