The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1915-05-25

| sion The poor listened won
deringly. suspicously How could he know so
we'll their suferngs? What was the strange mes
sage of hope that he gave them? Could it be true.
as he said. that if they would only work together
they would achieve their rightful inheritance? They
talked about the man. Some of them made his
acquaintance and praised him for his genteness,
his understanding his breadth. With patience.
they said he would listen to their woes and try
| to help. More and more sought him. In few
years he was the recognized champion OF the OPP
pressed. Often he spoke at their meetings with
such passion that even those who did not agree
with his views, drawn to hear him. Many
were won over by his eloquence. He spoken
of as the leader Of a new party. One day. as with
single voice, the poor made him their candidate
! for office.
Then all the forces Of privilege and corrup-
ton were arrayed against the man. They tried to
DESTROY him bv attacking his reputation. But as
the attacks grew more venomous the stronger
grew the devotion Of the people. On the day Of
election the triumph overwhelming. For once
the people had their way
Now the man was great figure. Even those
that had opposed him were impressed by his sue
cess. Low as, in their eyes, was the source OF
his power it was nevertheless power. And to
greater power it might lead perhaps to the
heights
So the prosperous gathered about the
man, well dressed. dignhed OF bearing, cutivat
ed in speech. jewellers in fine houses, borne from
point to point in costly vehicles. They let him
see that. like the poor, they were human too
and they Mad friendly instincts and generous SYM
pathics and ideals for social betterment, not ex-
actly like his own, perhaps. but just as sincere
Among them were few that won the mans at
lection and gave affection in return. Their prac-
teal experience OF large affairs made them help
full in council. Often they would invite the man
to their houses. Occasionally he would go to
their country places for few days at a time. 1t
at of those country places he first met
the exquisite creature that few months later
he was to make his wife
Meanwhile, the people looking on At
first they pleased that their leader should
be so successful among those they regarded
their foes. He would spread the gospel of the
disinherited where it was most needed. Instead
loving him less, they loved him And
with humble gratitude they noticed that he kept
speaking and working for them and lent
sympathetic to their woes. Several hours each
day he would give to those who sought him in
his office No too ill-clad to be denied,
or too unclean And there were rumors that out
of his limited resources he often gave prac
teal evidence of his sympathy.
But with marriage the man began to change
He lived in fine house now worthy of wife
used to luxury. 1t said that the cost OF
keeping it up far exceeded his salary. And it was
noticed that his appearance and his manner were
changing Where he had dressed simply
he went about handsomely tailored. Where
he had been affabe he formal. 1t grew
more difficult for the poor to get to him in his
Office. They were told he either not there or
he busy. Gradually they stopped going. Some
OF them, meeting him in the street, instead Of
greeting him cordially as they had once done SEEM
ed abashed
came up before the community. Should valuable
privilege belonging to the people be allowed to re-
main in control of great corporation or should
the people take over their own? The question:
people appealed to the man they had given their
power Now he had chance to show that all the
envous criticisms made against him false. He
could prove his loyalty Repeatedly they sought
him out And each time he sent them word that
he was too busy to see them. when the time
comes will speak, he said "and I will speak for
the right whatever may be the cost to myself"
The friends of the man, some of them his
relatives now had no difficulty in seeing him. And
they did not have to go to his Office either. They
met MIN al tner SOCIAL functions. with him they
had long and earnest talks the question that
transcribed all other public questions.
When the time came for the decision the man.
in statement that fairly vibrated with sincerity,
decided in favor of the corporation, "out Of CON
sderation for its investment and its long and eff
cent service"
With few exceptions, the people were furious
They denounced the man traitor The excep-
tons, however, smiled knowingly. "He is true to
his class" said one. what more can YOU expect?
We made him what he is. We have only ourselves |
to blame"
Dernburg's Impressions.
When DIR. Dernburg returns to Germany to |