Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1873-07-24
Problems of the Future.
[BY the Hon. Charles Francis Adams.

The times are critical, not here alone, but
all over the world Prospering in purely
material interest as, fully believe, the peo-
pie at large have never done before, the ele-
ments to work out the gravest moral changes
are simultaneously at work everywhere. The
problems now freely presented for agitation
reach the very foundation of faith, OF moral
philosophy, of civil government, and even of
human society. New forms of associated
power are developing themselves, seriously
menacing the solidity of all established insti-
tutions. Even that great principle, ever
cherished as the apple of our eye, and which
really is the rock upon which our political
edifce rests, the durability of representative
government, bids fair to be, sooner or later,
drawn into questionable serious grounds.
The collision between the fOrceS of associated
capital and those of associated labor is likely
to make itself felt throughout all the wide
extent of human civilization. Much as we
unquestonably advance in education, in re-
finement and in the spread of blessed spirit
of benevOlence, some fearful catastrophe
now and then opens our eyes on a sudden to
the existence of blind ferocity still clinging
to animal nature which would have disgraced
the rudest age of the creation. Hence it
seems difficult to deny that we make almost
even progress in our philanthropy and in the
magnitude of our crimes. If it be conceded
that this is SO, and that the elements of good
and evil are yet gathering with almost equal
energy, to try their strength in conflict, so
much the more imperative becomes the duty
of those who aspire to the glory of promo
ting noble objects to waste no opportunities of
fortifying their powers for the fray-so
much the more imperative is it upon the
highest institutions of education in this land,
the great arsenals of supply, to furnish every
kind of armOr with which the more certainly
an ultimate triumph of the right and the true
may be secured. Cast momentary glance
over this broad continent. You will see at
once that it is the most magnificent theatre
upon which human power has ever had al
opportunity to exert itself; remember that
upon it forty millions of beings are already
placed, and the future will doubtless contrib
ute its annual millions in an ever-ascending
ratio You will also note that tlocking in
from outside come the Celt, the Tcuton, the
African, the Aztec and the native of far
CathaY, all rushing in to form parts of one
huge conglomerate mass of restless humanity.
upon whose fiat depends the realization of
the highest hope ever yet formed approach
ing the image of Utopian Common
wealth: Surely never in any preceding re-
cord of human history has there been fairer
blest aspiration for good which the Divine Be-
ing has been pleased to implant in the bosoms
of his creatures. Here is ample space and
verge enoug h for the most far-seeing States
man, the most persuasive orator, the most
profound philosopher, the most exalted phi
lanthropist. Here is a field the like of which
Aristotle or Plato never trod. Here are prob
lens on which Cicero never could have spe-
culated, or Bacon exercised his wonderful
sagacity. Answer me if you can, pray you.
Shall it indeed be that this marvellous scene
will be occupied by actors worthy of their
place, who will strain their utmost powers to
rise to every great emergency and do for
their felow-men all that mortal power has
been able to effect since the forfeiture of
Paradise? Let us hope that the enthusiasm
for higher education may more and more
stimulate the young to weave for themselves
q garland of laurels wherefrom they receive
on their brows an everlasting crown, and of |
whom the historian may mark the good, the |!
wise, the true for lessons to the multitude |
unborn.