The Waterbury Democrat., 1935-02-07
N'R YOUR CHILDREN
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B. Oive Roberts RartoA

If Lincoln lived today, as a boy, it is interesting to speculate on how he would spend his time, in- triguing to picture what he might be like in a highly standardized world.
 In his way he was radical, as everyone is radical who refuses to succumb to limitations and uses his wits and his courage for his own and his neighbours bet terment, radical in his individ- ualism, too, relying on 1t when the final test came and world problem rested on his shoulders. 1 Today, Whether or not we think he did right in calling out troops or not we agree with the econ | omists about that cataclysm of the Civil War. the fact remains that he took the responsibility at the risk of his popularity, and, as 1t happened, his life. He had the courage of his convictions, could stand enemies, had gift for se- lection, and was, in short. the product of hardship plus self dis cipline. (.
 What About Today's Boys
 l IlOW UldUy SuCn DOyS dIc WN producing today? Are there any? a million Any of these answers might be right. The qualities Of leadership are the very things our system of education has tried to instiil. Not always leadership of people, but of self and .circum- stances. The latter come first m any case, |" -.{'f it. .r | Conditions being so far re- moved from the pioneer days when a boy through sheer initia- tive and determination could get ahead, it is almost impossible for Us to conceive what would hap pen to the Boy Lincoln today. He might be splitting rails i;i a eco camp, or studying grammar in d night school. As far as that goes, it would make little difference. What would matter is character. I.. What Would Lincoln Do
 If you don't mind, l vii assume for the sake of argument that Lin- coin, or his counterpart, is living today in a little tenement, his father on part time work, his moher iii, the hunt for a job for himself fruitless and all, the neigbbors in a lethargy of despair about the future.
 He is still formative and there fore susceptible to opinion. He listens to everyone blaming capi- lal and government and business and political pull. But he quietly makes q decision. Two. He de- cides not to let a situation he can not control sour him or discourage him. but to be patient. And as ne cannot make conditions any diff fercnt in the big world, he will try to make them better, in his small one. He starts in to take care of the house, his mother. his sisters and brothers.
 Keeping Busy
 He has, we will say, a high school education. There Is q dcep-set longing in his heart to be d doctor and devote himself to research. He knows doctor not far away who works among the poor. He has a car and can- not afford a, driver. Our Lincoln offers to drive him evenings and as often as possible through the day, If the doctor will let him read his books. He does not know where 1t will take him, but he leaves that to the future and op. portunity. If he is Lincoln he will make the most of it.. not b, maneuvering and connivance, but by giving himself heart and sou! to whatever there Is at his hand to do. Service. -and acceptance ol life without loss of self respect and personal pride.
 | Singleness of purpose, but purpose that can bear change, dis. advantage and vissisitudes. Thii would be, think, our Lincoln oi today. The building of those qual. ities in youth that make for future Accomplishment and success. Il Is tho only real radicalism, the highest idealism. The kind that Irefuses to join forces In blame hut looks to self as its own savior Copyright 1885, NEA Service Incl