The Llano colonist. [volume] (Llano, Calif.) 191?-1937, 1922-04-08

30, made the statement. that co-opera-
ton is actual religion. practical reIi-
gion. It involves the application Of
the golden rule, the principle Of bro
therhod. This principle is mutual in
character, and it requires reciprocity
from everyone who wishes to enjoy the
advantages Of cooperation and bro
therhood. No one can claim special
privileges where brotherhood prevails,
and it is silly gush and entirely out Of
place, to ask exemption from the labor
involved. To love thy neighbor as
myself does not signify BY long
shot that anyone should love anybody
else better than ones self, and that
anyone should work for others who de-
cline to reciprocate. No one can de-
mand the prizes of cooperation and
brotherhood who will not observe the
rules Of the game, practice reciprocity,
and evince the spirit Of friendship.
Cooperation and brotherhood mean
working together and for one another.
This has been stated again and again
in the pamphlets and publications print
ed and sent abroad by the Llano COL
ony. The Colony is not in position
to take in people who are unable to
do anything useful in promoting the
work and objects of the community.
Anyone having obligations in the out
side world which he considers para
mount over the implied duties to be
assumed at the Colony, should not
come and expect to become a burden
upon the cooperative pioneering
group.
To provide food, clothing, shelter,
entertainment, education and recrea-
ton for hundreds of people requires
work, first. last, and all the time. No
other honest way has yet been dis
covered to provide these indispensable
requisites of human existence; and
until such way is found, every one
will have to buckle down to do some
kind Of useful work that the Colony
can now provide, and which will assist
in achieving the goal.
For ages the workers have struggled
to escape from the snares of the ex-
ploiter. But all I'm vain. They have
looked to all kinds of leaders and saw
Tors for deliverance. To labor union
leaders, to politicians-but all in vain
and without any success worth while.
Cooperation also has been tried to
limited extent, but failed to measure
up to the expectations of the pioneers
because the people apparently have
lacked the understanding needed to
treat each other with the ordinary
courtesy and forbearance to make their
intercourse pleasant and agreeable.
Unless cooperation and association is
congenial and yields satisfactory re-
suits, it cannot be maintained and per-
petuated for any length of time.
Friendliness of spirit is one Of the
important bases on which cooperation
depends. Love thy neighbor as thy
self" demands a certain disposition
and attitude on the part of every
would-be co-operator. This is very
important point that advocates of ec-
onomic betterment have overlooked.
Their attention has been riveted on the
outside, on the environment, the ma
terial things, the so-called opportunities
while the actual obstacle to improve
ment in human affairs is located with
in, consisting in wrong ideas and wrong
emotions. And if any improvement is
to be effected, the beginning will have
to be made at that point.
Character building requires the
broadest possible latitude of individual
initiative for each man and woman to
exercise their own reason, affection,
and will in ordering their own life, in
obedience TO the highest ideals that in
spire them. The conception of respon-
sibility for ones self can develop and
mature only thru exercise. Temper
ance, moderation, reciprocity, balanc-
ed life. in word, self-control. can be
gained only thru freedom Of choice.
Ignorance, bigotry. untruth. and dis
honesty. embodied in statute. that ham
per. obstruct, or deny such freedom Of
choice are directly responsible for the
degeneration of mankind. It makes no
particle Of difference whether such dis
regard Of the principle Of human self
determination is imposed in the name
Of emperor, king, or a majority rule,
it is thelvery essence Of tyranny. The
eternal principles of nature and right
eousness do not change with the name
with which despotism is camouflaged.