Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1869-02-19

For the Bellows Falls Times.
" Is the World Growing Better 2"

10 w OIlu J..
Of few questions that seem to be
common stock for all lyceums, the one
above is the most frequently considered.
Worldwide, in its range, it fitly accom-
modates the great variety Of talents usu-
ally found at the lyceum, and presents a
field broad enough for its free and unin-
terrupted maneuvring. If the combat
ants are so disposed, as they frequently
are, the whole evening may be spent
without a single collision. Thus they
separate, each feeling himself monarch
of all he surveys, for his rights there
have been none to dispute. So broad is
the question that in the manner in which
it is usually taken up, it is impossible to
exhaust it in one evening, and even seven
may be spent in its discussion, when the
patient listener feels, if not himself thor
oughly covered with mud, that at least
the question is, for its real issues have
been growing fainter and fainter.
The usual mode of arguing mas been
to bring forward as insurmountable
proof local illustrations or neighborhood
morals; to point with triumphant finger
at some Claremont murder, or Tom
Blanks last drunken spree, or Mr.. AS
recent family quarrel. The disputant
ignores or forgets that the aoord compass
ses more than his own neighborhood,-
that its influence and weight have no
more effect upon the great world, than
the isherman's boat has upon the waters
of the great ocean. New York or some
other isolated pest house of sin, whose
vices, but seldom its virtues, which are
equal, find place in the columns of the
newspaper, is pointed at by the negative,
who declare no further proof is needed.
Such local proof though telling in its i'm
mediate vicinity perhaps, yet has little
weight when the world is ON the balance.
This mode of reasoning strongly reminds
one of the old lady, who, upon certain
cold, wintry day, being of a benevolent
turn of mind, orders her servant Sam to
take poor widow H. a pile of wood with
her best wishes. But first, Sam, put
some wood on the fire and make me a
mug of flip" The fire soon began to
tell upon the temperature of the room,
and the drink upon the spirits of the old
lady, till just as Sam was starting out to
obey her order she cries, Hold, Sam,
you need not go, she will not need the
wood, the weather has moderated
Thus it is not from neighborhood and
local standpoints that substantial facts
can be obtained relative to this question.
1t is only by gazing from those high
lookouts which history and generaliza.
ton afford, out upon the course, thoughts
and actions of whole people or nation,
that we may hope to catch an intimation,
whether the movement of the great world
/ 10 Il tiOSAOCcSNO VI ANoSiNC oit.
From such view and from such stand
point, | believe we shall have strong and
unmistakeable suggestions that the acorid
as groaotng better, wiser, more charitable
in all of its intercourse with itself
Though there may be seen as in all
streams in their onward flowing, currents
apparently eddying back to the dark and
dangerous passes through which they have
issued, yet we shall not be deceived from
seeing that the great motion is an on
ward one, despite the eddying currents,
which are more frequently relative than
real.
/. We shall see as strong symptom
of better state, growing regard, deep,
universal, for woman, with an acknowl-
edgement of her rights and claims. Tell
me the condition of the woman, and
will tell you the character of the people,
is a proyerb too old and too well and full
ly endorsed by the experience of nations
to be lightly set aside. A growing re-