Promise and Performance 123 



need not go nearly as far as Hamilton, Jefferson, 

 and Jackson went; but some distance he must go if 

 he expects to accomplish anything. 



Again, take the case of those who promise an im 

 possible good to the community as a whole if a given 

 course of legislation is adopted. The man who 

 makes such a promise may be a well-meaning but 

 unbalanced enthusiast, or he may be merely a de 

 signing demagogue. In either case the people who 

 listen to and believe him are not to be excused, 

 though they may be pitied. Softness of heart is 

 an admirable quality, but when it extends its area 

 until it also becomes softness of head, its results are 

 anything but admirable. It is a good thing to com 

 bine a warm heart with a cool head. People really 

 fit for self-government will not be misled by over- 

 effusiveness in promise, and, on the other hand, they 

 will demand that every proper promise shall be made 

 good. 



Wise legislation and upright administration can 

 undoubtedly work very great good to a community, 

 and, above all, can give to each individual the chance 

 to do the best work for himself. But ultimately the 

 individual's own faculties must form the chief factor 

 in working out his own salvation. In the last 

 analysis it is the thrift, energy, self-mastery, and 

 business intelligence of each man which have most 

 to do with deciding whether he rises or falls. It is 



