The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1947-05-16
BY CAROLINE BRAMMER

life very little time is ueNOleu 10 us
cussion. We met twenty years ago
when | was fresh from the academic
fold and much impressed by the ac-
complishments of man. He had al
ready retired to an ivory tower built
upon the foundation of his conviction
than man is an inferior animal, incap-
able of anything except the destruc-
ton of himself and his world.
Since l lack the sophistication which
produces the cynic and since l always
emerge from a session with this man
beaten and bruised | do not know why
| tolerate him. Perhaps because l
know that opposition sharpens the wit
freshens the viewpoint and prevents
rut-thinking. | think it is more likely
that I am ambitious to see him eating
large meal of his own words know
that through the years we have spar
red it is l who most often takes the
count. Nevertheless the match has
not yet been decided.
Whenever my friend descends from
his tower he greets me with, "And how
Is the 1lll16 VI lAlC L COPAO
today?" His choice of words is more
refined than his intonation which says,
Hello, Sucker
Phis speciman, homo sapiens thinks
of himself as man who learning he
has not long to live, devotes himself
to the contemplation of beauty while,
as he says, sit survives man.. l once
argued that in denying himself the full
range of emotion he was denying life.
He countered with, What emotions
do I deny? Anger? Fear? Hate?
And in denying them am or my fellow
man less rich?"
Believing as I did, land still do that |
mans most precious asset is a voice
in his own political destiny, I was ap-
palled to discover that my friend con-
sidered it a snare and an illusion. He
would have no truck with his fran
chise
Having had no say in the destiny of
man." he said, Il will be guiltless in
the final debacle and l shall therefore
go to Heaven" Such sophistry wound
ed my tribal loyalty. 1t also made me
angry
$50 one achieves rewards by refus-
ing responsibility l asked.
He leered at me. THAT is the time
honored custom of our society,"" he
said, ''Who am l to say Heaven has
different system? Our asylums are
full of people whose reason broke on
the unyielding rock of unreason re-
quired of responsible citizens
protested, "Oh well, if you must be
specious :.
Hal" he said, more patronizingly I
than ever. my dear girl, come around
and electioneer when you can show
me evidence of mans ability to vote
wisely" ;
I thought I had evidence in the So
cial gains of the New Deal
"See!" l said, triumphantly, 'the !
people have learned to protect them :
selves from exploitation We have
learned the meaning of sovereignty in !
My friend was unimpressed. You !
are really naive" he said, Because J
0ne set OF pOlltlclanS cash IN on the 7
others blunders, you think man has +
been redeemed"
They Do Learn-Or Do They?
I wasn't discouraged. "This proves a
rou are wrong about people. They do S
earn. 1t will be very hard to deceive t
hem again" t
Sure, he said, ''the common man, g
having had the scales knocked off his t
eyes, will now recognize DOGGY man Il
when he sees one. Will you risk few a
pieces of silver that few years from n
low your newly awakened citizen S
won't liquidate all Mr.. Roosevelt's p
yains?" 4
| took that bet. Yesterday my friend d
came around to collect. n
81 shall buy a bottle of cherry cor k
lial to warm my last moments" he t.
laid, "for think we are down to NOM A
.nts now" "
He treated himself to several sec
,nds contemplation of my glum face. h
Nothing hopeful to offer today? All g
tut of sweetness and light?" b
We'll" | said, defensively, 81 know h