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About The Chemawa American (Chemawa, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 14, 1931)
CHEM AWA« AMERICAN Printed at Chentaua, Oregon, and Devoted to the Interests of Indian Education Wednesday, Jan. 14, 1931 Vol. XXXII PITT, THE “YOUNGER” Many years ago when the ‘ ‘Younger’ ’ Pitt was elect ed to membership in the “House of Commons,” an old-timer in the house resented the young man’s ap- pearande in that august body, and spoke of him in * ' most disparaging terms, calling him among other things, “a beardless youth.” Pitt was but nineteen years of age at the time. However, in the nineteen years that he had lived he had proved his worth and those who voted him into the House of Commons evi dently thought him able and honest, nor were they mistaken. In replying to the old Commoner who had cast aspersions upon him because of his youth, Pitt said that he hoped that time would prove him one of those whose “folly ceased with his youth.” This was an able defense of his own youth and at the same time a keen thrust at the foolish old man who knew no better that to cast reflection upon one of whose ability he was unaware. Thus do we, young and old, often make blunders. The old gentleman was, in this case plainly out of place. However, it is but natural for older people to be interested in youth, for in the younger generation must some day be found those who are to be governmental leaders. It should be the aim of all to so live that their folly would “cease with their youth.” Would it not be wiser never at any time, in youth or old age, to do foolish things? It may be possible to commit a foolish act once, unwittingly, but to repeat it would indicate that we were guilty of more than folly—it would con vict us of hoodlumism or worse. If it didn’t subject us to conjecture as to our respectability it would certainly convict us of mental weakness. From the cradle to the grave we are building character—good or bad—if the latter so much the worse for us, for there is a law that no force can overcome, and that is that it is im possible for one to maintain his standing among a class of people who are above him in real character and worth. Just at what age begins personal responsibility for our folly it is hard to say with exactness. However, we maintain that a person, even a child, when, on being “brought to book’ ’ for a misdemeanor, attempts to protect himself by denial, to put it boldly, by trying to “lie out of it,” proves then and there by his own acts that he is responsible and should be dealt with accordingly. We believe in mercy, but to suffer over too long a period distressing things or conditions con victs us of a weakness. There never has been and never will be any good reason for doing anything if it is not right. The only reason recognized by law as an excuse for wrong-doing is insanity—real, not feigned. No. 18 JOB OR POSITION Your work is whatever you choose to make it; either “just a job” or a position,—a daily grind with only the Saturday night envelope as the goal, or a stepping stone toward your ultimate success. The man who does all his work with his hands and body will never have anything but a job. You can so dignify your labor that the most menial task will be come a position. Even the man digging ditches can mix brains with his work and when he does, he is no longer a ditch-digger. He is a constructor of sewers. Some day also he’ll be “The Boss.” It may seem to you that you are paid too little for your services. If you feel that way you have only to remember that this is a free country and your employ er can’t compel you to work for him. Then ask your self how much more your services would be worth some place else. You may think the boss fixes your wages. He doesn’t. You do that yourself. If you feel that you are doing more than you are paid for, you probabty are being paid for more than you do. The work you are doing now may not be the kind you would most prefer to do, but as long as you are at it give it the best that’s in you. As early in life as possible get into the kind of work you want to fol low, but until you find it don’t neglect the work at hand. While you are working forget about the pay envel ope; put your best ideas and efforts into whatever you are doing and don’t be content until you feel you have done your level best. And then try to do a little bet ter the next time. When you work in that spirit it will not be long before the result will show in the Saturday night returns. But that will be the least satisfying part of your compensation.—A S elected E ditorial . HEALTH PROBLEMS OF CHILD REVEALED Problems of child health and protection fall into three groups, including protection and stimulation of the normal child, aid to the physically defective and problems of the delinquent child, according to the president’s address at the White House conference on child health. Commenting further on this fact, the Oregon state board of health, in its weekly bulletin, says: “Out of 45,000,000 children in the United States, 35,000,000 are reasonably normal; 6,000,000 are im properly nourished; 1,000,000 have defective speech; 1,000,000 have weak or damaged hearts; 675,000 pre sent behavior problems; 450,000 are mentally retarded; 382,000 are tubercular; 342,000 have impaired hearing; 18,000 are totally deaf; 50,000 are partially blind; 14,- 000 are wholly blind; 200,000 are delinquent, and 500,- 000 are dependent.” (Continued on page 4)
