The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1915-02-11
BUSINESS CONDUCT
AND MANAGEMENT
THE PROGRESS OF NATIONS THROUGH
APPLICATION OF BUSINESS METHODS
A Vigorous Presentation of the Adva-
tages Derived From the Application
Of Business Conduct and Methods to
our Daily Conduct of Affairs.
By Beau Esprita

The history of progress during
the last century has been history
of business. Contemplation of this
fact is gratifying to us in America,
because we have played so promi-
nent part in It's development.
There are those among us whC
seem to think it necessary to apollo
gize for what they call our CONNER
cialism. meaning by that. our habit
of looking upon all things from the
viewpoint of theil business feasibil-
ity. 1 do not hoidwith these would
be apologists. Their attitude is a
bout as sane and reasonable as the
attitude of a man who has made a
fortune il trade and then affect to
despise trade as something beneath
his station. 1t is nothing short of
snobbishness.
For the modern world is what it
is because of this so called COM
mercialism, not only in the United
States, but in every progressive
country. Commercialism makes for
democracy. 1t is the one practic-
able, workable theory of social re-
lationship in which every man has
an equal chance in accordance with
the talents which he possesses.
There have been attempts at demo-
cracy on idealistic theories-and
they have failed. There have been
attempts at democracy along senti-
mental and romantic theories
they have failed. 1t has been left
for democracy founded on sound
business principles to succeed and
to expand as no other form of social
relationship has ever succeeded and
expanded, until it is now but a
step from being the dominant social
form throughout the world.
This great war which is now pro-
crossing in Europe is, in the final
analysis. war for the expansion Of
commercial democracy and, par
adoxical as it may seem, both sides
are fighting toward the same end.
/ believe that future history will
show that the differences which
brot about this deplorable conflict
were but differences of method ra
ther then of fact and principle; and
that the final results. no matter
which side is successful. will be es-
sentially the same. If / am wrong
in this belief, then the whole of
nineteenth century progress has
been wrong. and civilization will
have the entire work of that GEN.
tury to do over again.
For the nineteenth century was
an age of commercial developement,
of development along business
lines, and it's highest achievement
has been the dissemination of the
principles of practical or business
management for social as we'll as
individual affairs.
The United States was the pio-
neer in this work, tho we cannot
claim that it originated with us.
The development of England has
been entirely commercial devel-
opment, and, indeed, the British
Empire is a commercial rather than
a political empire. The rise of
Germany-and Germany's rise has
been one of the most remarkable in
the history of the world-has been
commercial and industrial. Busi
ness principles put Japan on the
world-map; while China. many
times Japan's size and with more
than proportionate possibilities, is
still condition rather than a ma
ton. The new Italy is CONNER
cial and industrial, not political
state, as has been clearly shown by
her actions in regard to the present
war. Politically Italy is bound to
Germany and Austria. but CONNER
cially and industrially her interests
lie along seperate lines. and politi-
cal ties take second place as mat
ter of course. Such a thing could
not have occurred century ago.
The principle of business manage
ment that has done so much for the
more progressive nations of the earth,
as nations will produce equally
great results when applied to our
individual lives. 1t is not neces-
sary in an article of this nature to
cite instances to prove this state
ment; altho it would be hard to
name single emlnently successful
man who has NOT achiauad his sue