The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1914-07-25
THE UNREST IN our SOCIAL AND
ECONOMIC SYSTEM.
(By Dennis s. Tbompson.)

OuI lives. from every avenue OF nu-
man endeavor comes the cry Of dis.
satisfaction; in one instance 1t is
the religious leader who is not meas
uring up to the standard the people
have expected him to set, while on
the other hand, it may be that the
leading educator of the community
has not conducted his affairs in such
a name as to receive the full glory
of the people.
The newspaper editor is unpopular
because he cannot publish every in
significant happening, and the re-
porter or correspondent has hard
things said about him because he is
unable to take notice of every trifle
that comes up in the community.
1t happens nowadays that every
fellow has some faults, and many of
them argue that things were not so
away back in the good old days. l
am of the opinion that the people
have always had faults, but the diff
ference now is that there are so many
o people that it is easier to no
tice these little shortcomings tat
distress so many of us.
We are very religious, but we soon
| come to have a dislike for the pastor
of our church if he points out the
right way of living. Some desire
their children to be properly educated
but if the schools principal corrects
them as to how best get through
life, they say it is a poor school, and
are ready to make a complaint to
the board of education.
And so it happens all along the
line. They say we must change or
the church will die, or the school
will go to pieces; we must have a
new preacher and another principal
we must keep the people together.
This keeping of the people together
is just the thing that is hurting us
now, from the fact that too many are
together on the wrong idea. 1t is to
the advantage of any people, however,
to come together on the right thing,
in that it strengthens and makes
them appear more representative.
1t would be better for each one to
bear in mind how necessary it is for
us to do our duty before condemning
the other fellow If we would give
our churches the proper support,
moral and financial, we could prob
ably see the pastor in a different
light, as in the same manner our
schools.
If we could read more Negro news
papers, pay for them, and encourage
them, we could have good newspap.
ers, instead of always abusing their
quality. The same holds good in all
lines of business; we must help to es-
tablish a substantial business among
our own folk; and if we are not able
to give financial aid all the time, let
US not find fault but always speak a
good word.
There are many persons VIC are
not willing to help the race in any
way, a class of self-appointed leaders
in every movement that takes form
i nthe community but finds fault and
causes unrest among others, n in
kmany instances bears a good name
among the people.
The great majority of the people
will be more than likely to follow
the person with a good name, but
when one stops to consider the mat
ter, they will find there is a vast diff
ference between a good name and
character. 1t would seem, then, that
we should prefer being influenced by
people of good character, rather than
by those with the good name.
Character is one of the greatest mo
tive powers in the world. In its
noblest embodiments, it exemplifies
human nature in its highest forms,
for it exhibits man at his best.
Although genius always commands
admiration, character most secures
respect. The former is more the
product of brain power, the latter of
heart power, and in the long run it is
the heart that rules in life. Men of
genius stand to society in it's relation
of its intellect as men of character
of its conscience, and while the for
mer are admired, the latter are fol-
lowed.
Commonplace though it may ap.
pear, this doing of ones duty embod-
les the highest ideal of life and
character. There may be nothing
heroic about it, but the common lot
of men is not heroic. And though the
abiding sense of duty upholds mar
in his highest attitudes, it also equal
ly sustains him in the transaction Of
the ordinary affairs of everyday en-
istence.
Mans life is ~"centered in the
sphere of common duties" The most
influential of all the virtues are those
which are most in request for daily
use. They wear the best, and last
the longest, Character, then, is the
noblest of possessions. 1t is an es-
/ tate in the general good will and re-
spect of men; they who invest in it
though they may not become rich
in this worlds goodwill find their
reward in esteem and reputation fair
ly and honorably won. 1t is appar-
entity expedient, then, that in life
good qualities should be foremost.
If we are to continue to rise in
life we must combine those princi-
pies that are going to contribute to
our better interests.
We must exclude from our social
and our business life as well, the lit
tie tangles which are the outcome of
struggles for suneriority and empty