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About The commoner. (Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-1923 | View Entire Issue (March 10, 1905)
KJ m ip - -. The Commoner 0 WILLIAM J. BRYAN, EDITOR AND PUBLISHER, Ei r, pi h Ft u Vol. 5, No. 8. Lincoln, Nebraska, March io, 1905. Whol Number 316 CONTENTS Theodore Roosevelt No Age Limit Chicago's Progressive Democracy That Baden Report Time Limit Marriages Rightly Called A Steal Arbitration Inauguration of Theodore Roosevelt Mr. Garfield's Report The Wjiek at Washington No Age Limit Dr. William Osier, the Johns Hopkins profes sor who has accepted a call to Oxford University, declared in his farewell address that a man above forty is practically' useless, and that a man- over sixty i3 so absolutely worthless that a humane dose of chloroform ought to be administered to him. That statement aroused a storm of protest and helped to reconcile the country to the learned doctor's departure. Of course, the theory is ab surd from any standpoint, but it is especially significant as showing the standpoint from which this eminent physician views the subject. In measuring a man he employs only physical and mental standards, ignoring entirely man's moral force and development, which ought to increase with the years. Even from physical and mental standpoints the- doctor is grossly in error,, for much physical work is done by men above forty and excellent mental work is done by men above sixty. But why pass over the spiritual life of a man? Does science look no farther than to muscle and brain? The heart of man demands recogni tion, and it is young at forty, strong at- sixty and often does its best work after three score years and ten have passed over the head of its possessor. Nestor complained that the gods do not be stow the wisdom of years until they have with drawn the vigor of youth. Dr. Osier's theory places a higher estimate upon vigor than upon wisdom, forgetting that the former may be worse than wasted if not directed by the latter. And he would deprive the young of the inspiration that comes from communion with those who, growing riper in experience and broader in sympathy, prove anew that "the path of the just is like the shining light that shineth more and more unto the perfect day." This old world would lose an incalculable amount of love and benevolence and helpful service if Dr. Osier's brutal suggestions were put into practice. But no fear. We shall have more rever ence for age and a deeper appreciation of its con tribution to. society the more we consider the mat ter. The doctor has become so absorbed in anat omy that he is oblivious to the soul and to the influences tliat act upon it , ' Bringing the Old Ship Into a Safe Harbor "! r nn im "vnno u am vmmmsvmxsssssssEmr j- sesssis wmmm wlV- s. " frWiWwwtarTww'awwayi THEODORE ROOSEVELT No president ever had larger opportunities or more reason for serving the people and moving in a determined way to protect public interests than Theodore Roosevelt. Mr. Roosevelt has now entered upon what is practically his second term and he has announced that he will not be a candidate for re-election in 1908. Because of this announcement, Mr. Roosevelt is in a posi tion to act independently and ho has recently shown some disposition to protect the people from the encroachments of special interests. In these good efforts he has had the commendation of men of all political parties. He has reason to to proud of the vote he received and the confidence which the people displayed at the ballot box pro vides all the more reason why ho should discharge his duty in a fearless way. The Commoner has had occasion to commend Mr. Roosevelt in sev eral particulars and now that he has been inau gurated to serve during the term for which he was elected, it expresses the sincere hope that it may have many .opportunities for giving its approval of his efforts. Men of all political par ties are striving for the same end -good govern ment. The rank and file of parties may differ as to the methods to be employed in obtaining that end. Some of them may for a time be de ceived and kept in ignorance concerning the real purpose of their leaders, but sooner or later men moving with a common purpose will mass them selves against a common enemy and sooner or later popular government, in the best sense of the term, will be restored. Then men who have thriven and grown fat through special interests will be required to remove the shackles they have placed upon the limbs of the people. The Commoner hopes that Mr. Roosevelt will be inspired to exert every effort to bring about "the greatest good to the greatest number." That his official conduct may be controlled by a lofty patriotism and that his administration may reflect credit upon its head and bring relief and pros perity to the people is the wish of all good citi zens. Whatever mistakes the representatives of government make, all the people must share the penalty. Whatever good results flow from the official conduct of those representatives, all the people share the blessings. And so men of all I .- i MMiMilMti LAttHWA