Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1919-11-05
Concerning a Vision.

SohCeFHiN9 d Sis'oH'
Men Of vision must recognize that
a vision has come into the country"
former Governor Cobb is reported to
have told the Rotarians at Lewiston
last Friday; and likewise told them:
You have failed for years to ap-
preciate what the duties Of citizen
ship mean. You have dropped out of
participation in public affairs
notwithstanding the brevity Of the
report it is evident. he gave that
representative gathering a mighty
good talk. and in American methods
of conducting affairs certain
amount of talk appears to be neces-
sary preliminary to performance.
The mental attitude is found to be a
marvellous generator. In the matter
of fundamental principles it appears
in need of some overhauling:. also it
obviously is not properly wired to the
machinery. Running wild it's per-
Torrance is suggestive of the mind
Of a lunatic.
We hesitate to offer inexpert ad-
vice respecting repairs and altera-
tons needed. but we are glad Of the
opportunity to say that we are not
rid-and hope we never shall be-of
the impression made on US by the
contagious spirit Of cooperation dis
played in meeting the emergencies of
the war. and we trust whatever the
revelations Of greed and chicanery
Connected therewith may show. that
We do not lose sight of the really as
founding results accomplished.
For one thing, that was found to
be everybody's business; also for
once it was conclusively demonstrate
ed that the old saying: "everybody's
business is nobody's," is a fallacy,
whenever the stimulus is sufficient to
insist on proper facilities for express
sion.
This country became a neighbour
hood of high endeavor. and what good
neighbors We found: the shop girl.
the society woman. the mechanic and
the Millionaire! o. yes, there was
the Stacker. the weasel-minded and
adj that sort of uneliminated poison
in the body-politic. For that matter
when no trace of such ptomaines can
be found it will be high time to sit
back with a smile Of contentment
and die easy. The big fact remains
that the body proved sound as a
whole, experienced the glow Of glori-
Gus endeavor and functioned won
derfuly under tremendous strain.
So severe was that strain we have
not yet recovered from the shock,
but we will. if we keep firm hold on
the mental attitude of that en-
deavor.
If there be not found radiance for
the needed vision. then are we misin-
formed: but we have got to lay fast
hold on it. We have been shown
the way to neighborliness. which in
the present analysis includes the
world. to the mental attitude of
which each national unit is con-
tributing strength or weakness in
proportion as its own house is set in
order. We have been pleased to
think our cOuntry's contribution a
very important one. Our impulse was
to give of our best. but that splendid
effort will be wasted if our mental
attitude becomes that of the hood
lum.
It is impossible to conceive Of a
good neighborhood composed of pal
aces and novels. Selishness can be
so enlightened as to perceive that II
must give II it Is to receive of the
satisfaction Of living in good
neishborhood. Of being reckoned as
ono Of the decent folk that 60 to
make up the large majority Of that
The unavoidable con-
'cIusion IL that we must give Of per-
Asonal effort. Of sympathy. of recog-
'uition, of justice. and this cannot be
done effectively unless one know
Of the neighbors. recog-
mics mutual responsibility. the
golden RULE, has at least a speaking
acquaintance with his fellows in the
walks Of life. Aloofness Is q sign of
weakness. an evidence that We fear
10 be found to be what we are. If
The firebelIs are ringing and the fire.
men have struck, high and low will
DO wsY to hustle the nrebuckeS