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About The united American : a magazine of good citizenchip. (Portland, Or.) 1923-1927 | View Entire Issue (Sept. 1, 1924)
THE UNITED AMERICAN SEPTEMBER, 1924 THE VICE OF FLATTERY Sir Walter Raleigh. TAKE CARE thou be not made a fool by flatterers, for even the wisest men are abused by these. Know, therefore, the flatterers are the worst of traitors; for they will strengthen thy imperfections, encourage thee in all evils, correct thee in nothing, but so shadow and paint all thy vices and follies, as thou shalt never, by their will, discern evil from good, or vice from virtue; and because all men are apt to flatter themselves, to entertain the addition of other men’s praises is most perilous. Do not, therefore, praise thyself, except thou will be counted a vainglorious fool; neither take delight in the praise of other men, except thou deserve, it, and receive it from such as are worthy and honest and will withal warn thee of thy faults; for flatterers have never any virtue; they are ever base, creeping cowardly persons. THE ENEMY OF THE BEST By Dr. Frank Crane. THE ENEMIES to human progress are not the bad people, but the good people. Humanity moves forward in a very curious way. We advance one step; then we bitterly attack those who would have us advance to the next step. Good people are those who stand for the existing order; they not only oppose those who break it (the criminals), but also those who would improve it (the reformers). The men who occupy the Present, with its con 9 victions and organizations, fight front and rear, and repel the men of the Past and the men of the Future. Hence the progressive person is often classed with the criminal. “The same authority,” says a recent writer, “which crucified two robbers at Golgatha stretched Jesus Christ on the middle cross between.” There is a modicum of truth in the charge that “advanced thinkers” are loosening morality. For the mass of men do not think at all, and take their opinions and their morals from existing institutions. Naturally, whoever intimates that these institutions are not perfect tends to confuse the average mind. And, naturally again, those in charge of the flock look askance at all progressives. Why can’t things be let alone? The Pharisees thought Jesus was re moving all law; the Church believed Luther to be opening the way for every immorality. If any man finds himself shunned because of his efforts to lead others to new heights, let him cheer up! The proverb runs, “The Good is the enemy of the Best.” And of our Lord it is written, “He was numbered with the transgressors.” GRIEF’S MEANINGS (De Quincy) Grief! Thou art classed amongst the depressing passions. And true it is that thou humblest to the dust, but also thou exaltest to the clouds. Thou shakest as with ague, but also thou steadiest like frost. Thou sickenest the heart, but also thou healest its infirmities. “FOR ALL THE PEOPLE” A Clean, Constructive City Government, with Rigid and Im partial Enforcement of All Laws for a Cleaner, Better Portland. Restore Original Intent of City Charter by Centralization of Responsibility in the Mayor. Safe and Sane Traffic Regulations and Parking Rules for Safety and Convenience of the Public. Elimination of Politics from City Affairs, Especially the Police Bureau, and Encouragement of Loyalty and Efficiency. JOSEPH A. STROWBRIDGE For MAYOR Encouragement of New and Careful Protection of Existing In dustries as a Guaranty of the Working Man’s Pay Check and his HOME. Will Give Personal Attention to the Needs and Problems of All Districts of the City and hold “Open House” at All Times. A Business Man for a Business Man’s Job Headquarters 901-2 Spalding Building àMIIIIIIIHlllllliiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiillllilllilllWIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIHIIIIIIIIIIIIIIinilllllllllllHIIIIIIHIIIIIIIIIIIIIN Place Your Orders With The United American Advertisers—and Tell Them Why (Paid Adv.)