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Editorial
January 27, 1913
Ashland Tidings
Ashland, Jackson County, Oregon
What is this article about?
This editorial argues that small American towns need a modern Socrates to inspire residents, especially business men, to think critically, take action for community development, and combat threats like mail-order competition, noting strong local morals but risks to prosperity from inertia.
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OCR Quality
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Full Text
The Home Circle
Thoughts from the Editorial Pen
Wanted—A Socrates.
What every small American town and village needs most is a Socrates who, by systematic questioning, will set the people to thinking, sting consciousness and conscience into action, and persuade them to adopt new business ways.
It is not the morals of the country town and village people that need awakening (for their morals without exception are equal or superior to those of city people), but the prosperity and permanence of the town are threatened by inertia, self-interest and lack of home pride.
So a Socrates is needed, not to go about as the great Greek did, poor, shabby and barefoot, stopping indiscriminately in the street and public places to expound his wisdom, but a Socrates up to date—a man who can talk the subject of community development and put his thoughts in a masterful way as Socrates did.
Community development is the most important work for country towns and villages today, and an exponent of the subject is needed in every town—one who can arouse the business men to action and defense in fighting the mail order and kindred evils in much the same manner as the evangelist arouses the church to attack moral wrong. There must be an awakening among the business men of the country town, and a Socrates is needed to bring it about.
Thoughts from the Editorial Pen
Wanted—A Socrates.
What every small American town and village needs most is a Socrates who, by systematic questioning, will set the people to thinking, sting consciousness and conscience into action, and persuade them to adopt new business ways.
It is not the morals of the country town and village people that need awakening (for their morals without exception are equal or superior to those of city people), but the prosperity and permanence of the town are threatened by inertia, self-interest and lack of home pride.
So a Socrates is needed, not to go about as the great Greek did, poor, shabby and barefoot, stopping indiscriminately in the street and public places to expound his wisdom, but a Socrates up to date—a man who can talk the subject of community development and put his thoughts in a masterful way as Socrates did.
Community development is the most important work for country towns and villages today, and an exponent of the subject is needed in every town—one who can arouse the business men to action and defense in fighting the mail order and kindred evils in much the same manner as the evangelist arouses the church to attack moral wrong. There must be an awakening among the business men of the country town, and a Socrates is needed to bring it about.
What sub-type of article is it?
Social Reform
What keywords are associated?
Socrates
Community Development
Small Towns
Mail Order Evils
Business Awakening
Home Pride
What entities or persons were involved?
Socrates
Business Men
Country Towns And Villages
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
Need For A Modern Socrates To Promote Community Development In Small Towns
Stance / Tone
Advocacy For Awakening Business Action And Home Pride
Key Figures
Socrates
Business Men
Country Towns And Villages
Key Arguments
Every Small American Town Needs A Socrates To Stimulate Thinking And Action Through Questioning
Morals In Country Towns Are Equal Or Superior To Cities, But Prosperity Is Threatened By Inertia, Self Interest, And Lack Of Home Pride
A Modern Socrates Should Advocate Community Development Masterfully, Unlike The Original's Shabby Style
Community Development Is Crucial For Country Towns, Requiring An Exponent To Arouse Business Men Against Mail Order And Similar Evils
Business Men Need An Awakening Similar To Evangelists Arousing Churches Against Moral Wrongs