Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1915-07-16
STRENGTH--GOODNEss
The World Has Been Aroused-Our
Political System - The World Of
Fimance-The World of Labor-SO-
ciety - The. Religious World -
Strength Unless it is Controlled by
Goodness is a Dangerous Asset.
W. T. Williams.

permits us to speak, we fail to see how
we can gainsay the statement. 1t is
so clear, and so much in keeping with
the evidence that we have decided to
accept it as a correct saying. This is
not only true physically, but it is
true in every sphere of which we
might imagine; and the subject is stu
died today with an earnest, sincere
determination to go to its bottom. This
is very promising, and If we should
say that our hope lie along this line,
we would not be saying an iota too
much. There is sufficient reason to
justify this laborious work. The
world has been Jared and men and
women have gone out of their way
to see what has caused it. We are
under the impression that the
emphasis has been placed on the
wrong idea--that is, the one that was
placed first should have been last; and
in order for us to see it plainly let us
inquire into the main avenues of our
life.
First Of all we will take our poll
tical system. To many of US this is
fascinating beyond estimate. We are
verify charmed by it. In a country
like ours il has so much to do with our
well-being that it is no wonder that
we are so interested in it. The pri-
vileges Of our political life are rare
and very precious, They are so valu-
able that they ought to be kept unde-
filed and unabused. But we know that
this is not always the case, and to our
sorrow, we have found it out more
than once. How often does the idea
of goodness enter our minds when we
are about to choose our candidate?
Or how frequently do we think
of this when our tickets are
framed? Is it not true that it is to
all intents and purposes wholly neg
lected? History verifes what we
maintain, and all we need to do to see
it clearly is to study the results by
that everlasting rule-the tree shall
be known by its fruit. This rule of
Judgment cannot be set aside, and it
is conceded on all hands that the ten
dency is to create demagogues rather
than good men. This is obvious to all
who have given the matter any
thought, and the fault is not on the
surface, but at the very basis of our
life. In the language of the schools
our arrangement of principles is
wrong. and when we are embarrassed
and chagrined, we are reaping what
we have sowed. We put strength
where we ought to put goodness, for
getting that the beginning Of wisdom
Is the fear of the Lord. It is hard
for us to comprehend that the good
man is more valuable than the strong
man. 1t is difficult for us to refuse
TO be charmed by strength. The ami
NAL appeals to us stronger than the
man. and our woes of all sorts prove
II. They are the outgrowth of our
arrangements of principles. They are
the natural products Of this.
Again, the world of finance is Q
great necessity. II has in its keeping
the medium through which we do oul
business. We cannot get along with
out Il. We are dependent upon il
more than words can tell. But the
idea Of strength has marred It fully
as much, and owing to this it has beer
held in disrepute when it should b'
honored. Il has been disparaged BY
men of every Cline. What do WI
suppose is the reason that we, as I
general rule, are jealous of ricl
mani He is bone of our bone, fiesl
of our flesh, and yet, we are jealous
of him. Can this be on account o.
our arbitrary notions? Can it be be
cause we are sometimes whimsical
Not necessarily. There must be an
other reason for il. There must be |
reason for it that justifies this well
nigh universal feeling. and 1t behoove
us to know It though 1t costs us ardu
Gus toll and loss of sleep. We thinl
that the financial world may be safe
lv Judged according to the rule W
Judged the political world by the ire
shall be known by it's fruit Or, W
20 to the bottom as we are brough
in touch with the surface, and n
other kind Of judgment is fair an
useful. Then, we must understand tn
chief tendency of the financial worlt
It is an established system, and s
far as we can see at this hour. it
in no immediate danger Of being ovel
thrown. 1t has its laws, rules an
regulations. These are watched an
supported by the government, and W
there is something about it which
displeasing. There is something abou
il that creates suspicion. What is it
Is it not its chief tendency? What
that The chief tendency of the finaI
cial world. according to it's laws, rule
and regulations, is to produce plut'
Gratis. It cannot be otherwise, and
this is not the reason for the jealous
which we have already mentione
it cannot be approved in any wa
This feeling against the rich ms
should not be countenanced at all If
is not this. But if it is this, as mar
believe that it is, we fail to see no
any one can reject an opportunity
denounce it. A plutocrat, or a ms
who has power and influence due on
to his wealth, is a dangerous citize
He PLAYS the game with the umpire {
his side. and this he knows. IT.
idea of strength has displaced t
idea of goodness, and this is the re
son that the financial world is mi
trusted. On this it has been built, Al
bv this Il is maintained. Strength
its foundation, and strength is its su
port and defender.
Let us now take glance at t
world of labor. This is full of e
chantment. II is bewitchingly eI
ouent, There is nothing grander, a
the man who makes a living by 7
sweat of his brow is a DESERVE
character. It does not matter w
he is. nor where he lives, his mer
are the same. He is a true support
of society. and this must be recogniz
He might he toiline in obscurity. r
known outside of his narrow sphe
nevertheless, his usefulness canr
be denied. Indeed. the world of Lab
is bewitchinglv eloquent. But, it h
been disfgured bv the idea of streng
Labor is organized lust as much
capital and this makes it distinct
world within itself, with it's lay
rules and regulations just the sal