Democratic Sentinel, Volume 8, Number 8, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 21 March 1884 — Zealous Men the Successful Ones. [ARTICLE]

Zealous Men the Successful Ones.

As far as natural endowments determine, the zealous men are par eminence the successful ones. But they have a besetting sin, which, being intrinsic, is, therefore, perhaps not quite a sin—bigotry. Except in the base of great creative minds, it is necessary to be somewhat partial in order to succeed in affairs. Broad culture is seldom efficient in any immediate way; narrow, intense purpose accomplishes the hard enterprises of the world, and is everywhere at a premium among those who are interested in getting things done. I have a respect for bigots and partisans, and believe that the world owes a great debt to intolerant, one-sided men. It must have them; it could not push its reforms, or get its rough, unpleasant work done else. Narrow men are edged men, men of single and determined purposes; and in their purposes they are apt to succeed. The liberal, the spirits of insight, really rule all; they are not always seen to do so; they create the thoughts that direct the world’s forces. But they turn over their thoughts to armies of stirring partisans, who adjust by force of arms the claims of opposing dr uths. The philosopher would prefer to Wait for evolution, and let things settle themselves quietly; but the reformers cannot wait for this. So they organize boards, wage religious wars, and piously burn the witches. There is a sad waste of-force in these proceedings; but men promise to become wiser in course of time, and meanwhile the machine creaks slowly along, and some progress is made.—Tittw? Munson Coan, M. D.