The Basis of National Life

Hokitika Guardian, 11 May 1921, Page 1

The Basis of National Life

Do not confuse discipline with punishment. Discipline is sometimes enforced by punishment, but in a wellordering institution it is maintained by public opinion and the spirit of selfrespoct. Forcibly imposed order is not tlu' order of freedom; self-imposed order is tho life-breath of liberty. The basis of national life is impossible. In school, college, tho young impetuous creature, full of life and energy, learns, with the help of his superiors, to bring bis powers under control, so that in the future they may work for good, and not for harm. Undisciplined strength is like steam which, having no proper channels along which it can flow and be turned to produce useful work, causes explosion in the vessel that contains it, and brings ruin and destruction all round. Disciplined strength, in boys or men is a farce for good. A few disciplined people can conquer a mass of undisciplined ones, although a thousand times the strength may be on the side of the undisciplined and there Ik, only a minority of disciplined. Every student of history, every patriot knows that in the disciplining of .the nation 1 li cs the question of its success or failure. Hence every true patriot, every public spirited man, in countries where the duties of citizenship are understood, sets an example of self discipline, in order that he may guide tho hasty jas well as tho thoughtful into useful | lines. OTAGO READING CIRCLE.