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About The commoner. (Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-1923 | View Entire Issue (Oct. 20, 1905)
-nEiMW gutOJUW.JJMH'lfti'U' ffl'T'.'"'' ir t -"-- October 20, 1005 ' . The Commoner. ' ROCKEFELLER'S BIOGRAPHER CRIBS INGERSOLVS SPEECHES Recently The Commoner printed a review of a book entitled "A Study of John D. Rocke feller, the Wealthiest Man -in the World," which hook was written by Marcus M. Brown of Clove land. In his "foroword" Mr. Brown said that his motives in the preparation of this books woro prompted by-"the Spontaneous and universal sentiments of justice, natural to the human heart;" and the concluding chapter is entitled "The Author Pleads for Justice, Justice, Justice." A man so concerned as Mr. Browji protends to be in obtaining justice to' the living must at least give some consideration to a demand for justice to the dead. In Mr. Brown's own language "prompted by the spontaneous and universal sentiments of justice natural to tho human heart," The Commoner demands publio acknowledgement by Marcus M. Brown that, as the author of "A Study of John D. Rockefeller" he plagiarizod tho speeches and writings of the late Robert G. Ingersoll. Perhaps Mr. Brown is to be pardoned on' tho theory that as the friend or the greatest monopolist in the world he was entitled to a corner on the thoughts and the language of other men. Whatever Author Brown's excuse may bo, the record as presented by two Commoner readers, one a resident of South Omaha, Neb., the other a resident of Milwaukee. srfeaks for itself. William Ricks, 602 North Twenty-second street, South Omaha, Neb., writes: "The following reveals the extent to which Marcus M. Brown in his book just from tho press, written in defense of John D. Rockefeller and his methods, purloins from tho lecture de livered at Broadway theatre, New York, February 12, 1893, by Robert G. Ingersoll on the subject of 'Lincoln, the Emancipator.' " w- From a lecture by Robert G. Ingersoll, Feb ruary 12, 1893, on "Lincoln, the Emancipator:" He was sever with himself and for that rea son was lenient with others. Ho appeared to apologize for being kinder than his fellows. He did merciful things as stealthily as others commit crimes. He said and did the noblest words and deeds with that charming confusion, that awkwardness, that is the perfect grace of modesty. He was as' patient as destiny. 4 He kne,w no fear except the fear of doing wrong. Hating slavery, pitying the master, seeking to conquer not persons but prejudices he was the embodiment of self-denial, the courage, the hope and the nobility of the nation. Hq spoke not to inflame, not to upbraid, but to convince.. ., -.. He raised his hands not to striko,- out in benediction. He longed to pardon. He loved to see the pearls of joy on the cheeks of a -wife whose hus band he had rescued from death. Lincoln was the grandest figure of the fiercest civil war. He is the gentlest memory of our world. From the book of Marcus M. Brown, "A Study of John D. Rockefeller:" He is rigid with himself and so easy with others. He is inclined to apologize for being kinder than his associates. He does merciful things as much under cover as others commit crimes. He says the noblest words and does tho noblest deeds with the most delightful uncon sciousness and perfect grace of modesty. He is as patient as destiny. $ $ ! i He is acquainted with no fear except the fear of God and of doing wrong. Hating oppression, pitying tho oppressed, seeking to overcome, not men, but evil he is the embodiment of the self denial, the courage, the hope, the nobility of the world. He speaks not to anger, not to accuse, but to convince. He raises his hands not to wound but in benediction. He longs to forgive. Ho loves to see the radiance of joy on the cheek of those lie has been able to relieve. Mr. Rockefeller is tho grandest figure of the fiercest industrial combat that the world has ever known. He will be one of the greatest and sweetest memories of mankind. Frank, Ni Berry, 1438 North Pierce street, Milwaukee, writes: "In reading the extracts from Mr. M. M. Brown's book, entitled "A Study of John D. Rockefeller," as published by you in The Commoner of last week I find that the author (Brown) has used almost the same language em ployed by Ingersoll in his lectures on Abraham Lincoln and Thomas Paine. Note the fol lowing:" - BROWN ON ROCKEFELLER He is inclined to apologize for being kinder than his associates. He does merciful things as much under cover as others commit crimes. He says the noblest words and does tho noblest deeds with the most delightful uncon sciousness and perfect grace of modesty. He is acquainted with no fear except the fear of God and of doing wrong. Hating oppression, pitying the oppressed, seeking to overcome, not men, but evil he is tho embodiment of the self-denial, the courage, the hope, the nobility of the world. Ho speaks not to anger, not to accuse, but to convince. He raises his hands not to wound, but in benediction. He longs to forgive. He loves to see the radiance of joy on the cheek of those he has been able to relieve. Mr. Rocke feller is the grandest figure of the fiercest in dustrial combat that the world has ever known. He will be one of the greatest and sweetest mem ories of mankind. BROWN ON ROCKEFELLER If to love others more than one's self is good ness, John D. Rockefeller is good. If to live in advance of one's time, to be the first upon the ground in the direction of progress, is greatness, John D. Rockefeller is great. If to follow one's faith and do one's duty in presence of threatening death is heroic John u. Rockefeller is a hero. R. G. INGERSOLL ON LINCOLN Ho appeared to apologize for being kinder than his fellows. He did merciful things as stoalthily as others commit crime. Almost ashamed of tenderness he said and did the noblest words and deeds with that charm ing confusion, that awkwardness that is the per fect grace of modesty. He knew no fear except the fear of doing wrong. Hating slavery, pitying the master, he was the embodiment of the self-denial, the courage, the hope and the nobility of the nation. He spoke not to inflame, .not to upbraid, but to convince. Ho raised his hands not to strike, but in benediction. Ho longed 'to pardon. He loved to see the pearls of joy on the cheeks of a wife whoso husband ho had rescued from death. Lincoln was the grandest figure of the fiercest civil war. ' He is the gentlest memory or our world. INGERSOLL ON THOMAS PAINE If to love your fellow men moro than self is goodness,. Thomas Paine was good. If to be in advance of your time, to be a pioneer in the direction of right, is greatness, Thomas Paine was great. If to avow your principles and to discharge your duty in the presence of death is heroic, Thomas Paine was a hero. r BETTER THAN "JOE MILLER9 S JEST BOOK' For generations "Joo Miller's Jest Book" has bcon a valued friend, l!to solucu of many a i.ulot hour, and tho inspiration for mnny budllng hu morists. Indeed, "Joo Miller's Jest Book" has boon something of a classic for generations, but it must now take a back sour. True, the book that succeeds it was not intended to bo humor ous. It is only because of recont disclosure thnt it is entitled to supersede Joseph's book. Tho book in question is a small one and Is entitled "Facts About tho New-York Lire." Hero U one of the jokes: "Tho New York Life does not loan upon nor invest In stocks of any kind." If tho point of that joko is a little obscure do not throw tho book aside. Just ))Q patient for a few moments and recall some of tho start ling testimony brought out In the Investigation now in progress. Then it will bo to laugh unless you happen to bo a policyholder. Afler you catch the point of that joke, try thl ouo: "There are six standing commit toes, ap proved by tho trustees, which carry on the busi ness of tho company." If you have read President MoCall'a testi mony and the declarations of Confidential Lob byist Hamilton tho point of that joke will dnwn with a force and suddenness that will be truly exhilarating unless you happen to bo a policy holder. If you have survived that Joko, try this one: "The company's money is never used, direct ly or indirectly, In any transaction for the bene fit of any individual." Of course there are carping critics who will declare that that is not a joke that it is just a plain, unvarnished falsehc od. And they will point to the testimony brought out In tho investi gation to prove what they say. But doubt less tho eminent jokosmith who penned It thought it was a good Joke. And it was upon the policy holders. Having digested that one just cast your eyes over this merry jest: "No officer of the company can in any way use tho company's funds for hlb owu benefit." That's another good joke on tho policy holders. And the officers who have specu luted with company lunds, organized bond syndicates and used policyholders' money as capital in the gambling transaction doubtless they Induced in many hearty laughs. It is too bad that their hilarity has been so rudely interrupted. And here is another good joke: "Tho New York Life has for years believed in and advocated publicity." It will take some time to catch the point of that one. Chauncey Depew is certainly its author. It has tho real Chauncoyesquo flavor, hasn't It? Tho humor of it may dawn upon you tomorrow or next day, or next week. While waiting for it you might be considering this, tho last one: "Tho management of the New York Life Is proud of the company's standing." That wasn't a joke a few months ago. It is now, and people who have been keeping track of tho developments will have no difficulty in seeing the point. But, with these samples offered for your con sideration, can you deny that "Joe Miller's Jest Book" is a back number, and that "Facts About tho New York Life" Is entitled to first place among the ranks of humorous publications? JJ COCKRAN RESOLUTION RECALLED It will bo remembered that at the last session of congress Bourke Cockran introduced a resolu tion providing for an Investigation of the charge that he was paid money for his services for the republican party In 1890, and providing for in quiry into all the campaign contributions of that year. Referring to that resolution Walter Well man, Washington correspondent ror the Chicago Record-Herald said: "No one imagines the re publicans will permit an Investigating committee to be appointed. They could hardly afford to go digging Into tho secrets of tho first McKInley campaign." The republicans did not permit the appoint ment of an investigatfng committee, and since the disclosures that were made before the in surance committee in session in Sow York, even the dullest of men have learned why the repub lican party could not afford to permit such an inquiry. m I: i 5 i V i-r jjw. - '