The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-09-03
CHEER UP! THE WORLD is A LONG
WAY FROM BEING A TOTAL WRECK

There is a widespread and increasing belief that whatever is
Is wrong; that the world is topsy-turvy and that it is going from
bad to worse.
The world has been told so often that it is in a desperate
way that, if it were an animate thing, the natural impulse would
be to curl up and die.
There have always been two contendng elements, those who
believe the world is daily growing worse and those who persist
in the belief that it is growing better.
There is a habit OF a%ttribuhng pessmism to age and optimism
to you'll.
Perhaps the cause for the ascendency of pessimism is that for
the past two years the country has been Invested OF its youth
with their spirit, their cheer, their optimism and their energy.
During the past two wears the villages. the towns and the
country have been swept clean of the worth while young men,
This would be a dreary world Invested Of young manhood, with
its disposition to listen with credulhy y to the whispers OF fancy
and follow with eagerness the phantom OF hope" and in their
place have those who have ceased to struggle and in whose breasts
there is no remaining spark OF ambition.
Perhaps, after all, there has not been so much the matter with
the world as with us, and the degree of future difficulty depends
upon whether the older people impart their gloom TO the youth or
draw inspiration, encouragement and hope from young men who
are taxing their places again among us, full OF faith in themselves
and in their ability to succeed,
There are, Of course, changes in the industrial world. But
industry is in a continual state Of change, Everything changes
Nothing ever comes to a complete standstill Where progress
ends decay sets in.
Industrial conditions change quite as notably as the human
body which, we are told, undergoes a complete transformation
once in every seven years, 1t may not be any more noticeable in
industry than it is in the physical body, but we are reminded Of
the story told in the beginners physiology, by way of illustration,
Of the Irishmans knife, which, after having several new handles
and at least one new blade, was the same old knife.
So it is quite as out Of the question to expect conditions to
be the same as they were, or to expect them to remain as they are,
The man who expects Conditions to take a backward trail
OugnI II remember that IN all history there is no record OF any
such thing transpiring.
There is no use contending against the irresistible forces Of
nature. There are some who would do that. They tell the people
they are eating too much that they should cut down their ratons;
that they might cut out the cake entirely reduce the bread to a
minimum and subsist upon the toughest fare.
They tell the people that they arc buying good clothes when
last years outfit would do as well. and even il il is a little soiled
they can save money by dressing shabbiy and get ahead by not
changing SO often.
They tell the people that they are buying automobiles when
they should be saving and walking, or better still, patronizing the,
street cars.
They tell the people they should not buy new shoes, but have
the old ones revamped or overhauled, and instead OF buying a
new hat the old one should be reblocked at a small cost and re-
furnished with a new sweat band.
In fact, there are 50 many remedies for the reduction of the
high cost of living that il they were applied the cost not only
would be reduced but the desire as well would be eliminated.
Everyone should save something, We have never had
enough of it in this country, 1t is not a general habit, but the
people should learn to save without stint,
There is no reason why any man should not provide his
family with good, substantial food and an occasional deicacy
II he can do 50 he should take his wife and children to see a
wholesome picture show or an occasional good play.
The price of clothing is high, but we can't declare war on
the dealers for that reason, The planter is mighty glad to get
agood price for his cotton, and the stock raiser is d delighted over
the price that he gets for his wool. s.
II a man can afford an automobile there is nothing that will
give his family the same pleasure. In fact, automobiles might
be included among the necessities of life, even if some are obliged
10 do without them. A favorite criticism is of persons who own
automobiles and are thought not to be able to afford them. There
are mighty few who would not like to possess one. While we
are criticizing we should include the person who is amply able
to afford an automobile aud is too Stigy to buy one tor his wife
and children,
All these things contribute to the sum total OF human happi
ness. The people should take their pleasures along with their
worries, in moderation and with common sense,
There is a lot OF difference between those who get the best
there is in life, iron books, travel, theaters, good sermons and
good music from a wel[paid choir. and those who Jazz their way
through life, requiring nothing and desiring nothing more than
the sensation OF a physical contortion.
II the people will set themselves right they will find this
world a pretty good place to live in, regardless OF the Ieremiahs
Of politics, the prophets OF calamity and others who get the best
they can for their money and regard it as an evil omen that
others no less fortunately situated should do the same.
Mayor Hylan, of New York. is Squarely against increasing
street car fares, and he has the opposition OF some members OF the