The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1919-04-10
Restraint Habit in America.
From tho Chicago Tribune.

A Frenchman might wear a straw hat in a snowstorm and n % other
Frenchman would bother about IT. 1t would be ssum that lie had reasons
sufficient to him for his preference. 1t would be considered his W affair q
bit of the variety Of ue and of no concern to anyone else.
In America he would be a nine lays wonder. Some woud jer M plt
Others would call h police. Others would forma society for the prohibition
of straw hat wearing in TIL winter months.
In French civilization there is profound respect for individuality. N Amer
lea there is little OF ION The French recognize that without a free play Of
personality life must lose tss pontaneity its sincerity its wholesome elasticity
it's grace, and color and zet. In America we incline more n more toward
pen to TIT individual. w e already live under a tyranny Of public opinion
which manufacture hypocrisy n compes mediocrty.- Fr originality, Tor
idosyncrasy n individuality we a at bottom bohf rear n hatred. we
have a sort of moral lynch law tor anything hat does not square with he
average n we punish the unusual Win sonethnng ike the phhu iHo"Iy " q
savage tribe
This srang development in the land of the free n the home Of the
brave has, as M of it's phases III inclination to pass W to enforce codes OF
or enforce rules of discipline. Not understanding or respecting real
nrocasses Of character building, w are not willing to rely ape h appeal to
the conscience and the education of TIT will We ar concerned with external
onduc and impauenty seek external methods of controlling it, imposing III
collective will by Law rather than seeking to enhghten thu sources OF onduc
bring about right conduct from within.
In a nation truly free W affecting conduct ared directed against ctsw which
inturousy affect others We are exceedingly slack in thisr respect n think
this means eedon w permit a nan to buld III beyond his dghbors
buudin in OF to cause loss or inconvenience ito a settled residence district by
erectinsa factory in II. We permit owners to keep ice n OF their i'd
walks while their more public spirited naghbors clear theirs m in nos
esnects we are free to neglect or infringe upon, he Interests o. others III
ppM 20 n.ss avg md ordinance to compel the individual to do as W e think
he ought 10 10 for his w good. We wish to censor his play his sports. his
nrtvate habits. We are less concerned about preventing i'm from doing wrong
e. otbers than in preventing i'm from doing what We consider harm to himself.
Tbis it would seem. is standing policy OF hsh head 1t certainly represents
q tendency which attacks symptoms rather than causes anu ignores the run
Samental realities Of character making. Socially 1t produces results that, are
soruaI AM pparen rather than essential n creates a species O moraisuc
desncrism which verddest the private conscience n destroys liberty where
|ubGtyi Is nos precious. - L = .-- -.
American democracy is headed away IRON recon IN ths respect M the
,sneets Of Dur political institutions will not compensate us for or loss: Amer
80 - saroocracvo OF this pahw will not produce a high civilization, which Away
be- founded on thu nine n sprl" II "h eS"Ne july " "Ne nN"nf
tsm without beauty OF srength -'H '