Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 35, Number 140, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 December 1903 — The Average Man. [ARTICLE]

The Average Man.

The factor which is overlooked by | those who fear the ascendency of any I quixotic notion Is tbe i> existence of the ) average man. This individual Is not a* striking personality, but he bolds the balance of power. Before any, extravagant Idea con establish itself It must convert the average man. He is susceptible and takes a suggestion so readily that it seems to prophesy the complete overthrow of the existing order of things. But was ever a conversion absolute? The best theologians say no. A great deal bf the old Adam is always left over. When the average man takes up with a quixotic notion, only so much of it is practically wrought out as he is able-to comprehend. The old Adam of common sense continually asserts itself, The natural corrective of quixotism is Saucho Tan zaism. The solemn knight, with his head full of visionary plans, is followed by a squire who is as faithful as his nature will permit. Rancho has no theories and makes no demands car the world. He leaves that sort of thing to his master. He has the fatalism which belongs to ignorant good nature and the tolerance which is found in easy going persons who have neither ideals nor nerves. He has no illusions, though he lias-all the credulity of igriornnqe.S. M.iCrothcrs in Atlantic.