universal respect and warm
admiration for Leo XIII on the part of good men the world over. The
centenary celebrations of the births of Emerson and Channing are
beautiful examples of the tribute which men of all creeds pay to the
memory of a pure soul.

Thus in my outlook upon our times I find that I am glad to be a
citizen of the world, and as I regard my country, I find that to be an
American is to be an optimist. I know the unhappy and unrighteous
story of what has been done in the Philippines beneath our flag; but I
believe that in the accidents of statecraft the best intelligence of
the people sometimes fails to express itself. I read in the history of
Julius Caesar that during the civil wars there were millions of
peaceful herdsmen and laborers who worked as long as they could, and
fled before the advance of the armies that were led by the few, then
waited until the danger was past, and returned to repair damages with
patient hands. So the people are patient and honest, while their
rulers stumble. I rejoice to see in the world and in this country a
new and better patriotism than that which seeks the life of an enemy.
It is a patriotism higher than that of the battle-field. It moves
thousands to lay down their lives in social service, and every life so
laid down brings us a step nearer the time when corn-fields shall no
more be fields of battle. So when I heard of the cruel fighting in the
Philippines, I did not despair, because I knew that the hearts of our
people were not in that fight, and that sometime the hand of the
destroyer must be stayed.

Part iii. The Practice of Optimism

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Part iii

The Practice of Optimism

The test of all beliefs is their practical effect in life. If it be
true that optimism compels the world forward, and pessimism retards
it, then it is dangerous to propagate a pessimistic philosophy. One
who believes that the pain in the world outweighs the joy, and
expresses that unhappy conviction, only adds to the pain. Schopenhauer
is an enemy to the race. Even if he earnestly believed that this is
the most wretched of possible worlds, he should not promulgate a
doctrine which robs men of the incentive to fight with circumstance.
If Life gave him ashes for bread, it was his fault. Life is a fair
field, and the right will prosper if we stand by our guns.

Let pessimism once take hold of the mind, and life is all topsy-turvy,
all vanity and vexation of spirit.