Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1875-01-16
CONFLICTING OPINIONS.

The query has passed into a provert
"Who shall decide when doctors disa-
gree ?" We have witnessed all the wis.
dom knocked out of Ben Franklin's
Poor Richard" by the results Of
modern observation and experience.
1t is now very clear that however per-
tinent the advice may have been to the
condition of our grandfathers, it is I'M
suited to the surroundings of the present
generation. While they doubtless con-
sidered it an essential condition of Ion
gevity, or the enjoyment OF riches or
earthly wisdom to "sarly to bed and
early to rise, it must be admitted that
the times, manners and customs are
subject to continual change. Modern
scientific research has substituted q new
order Of things more in consonance with
our natural impulses and desires, and
we are now told that to attain the acme
of earthly aspirations We must disregard
the advice of the ancient sages and fol-
low that of the new philosophy. 1t has
been asserted, from time immemorial,
that eating before sleeping was injur-
ious; but this idea is swept away
with other old fogy notions, and must
hereafter be regarded as mere rubbish
cleared from the track Of the car OF
Progress. In fact it is now claimed, on
the very higest authority, that the want
Of food makes people sleepless, and that
little sustenance taken either upon re-
firing or when we WOO in vain the drow-
sy god, will be found far more effica-
cious, and, of course, infinitely less in
furious, than anything in the chemists
pharmacopim. This will be welcome
news to those whose duties keep them
up late at night; and if the modern sa-
want had but included an indulgence in
those liquid refreshments whose absence
may create quite as much of an aching
void, he would at once have scaled the
highest pinacle of fame and become the
patron saint of the advocates Of late
hours and easy habits.
This loosening Of the bonds OF an
tiquity is progressing with even moro
rapidity in some Of the churches than
among the heather, who may be gen.
ial in their department and just in their
conduct, and still without the orthodox
pale OF salvation. Plymouth Church,
last week, sold her pews at a higher pre-
MUM than ever before, while her con-
gregation propose to defend the suit
against their beloved pastor at the cost,
if need be, Of hundreds of thousands OF
dollars, and boldly state that his inno-
cence or his guilt does not at all affect
their loyalty to him and his cause.
Victoria Woodruff, with quite equal ell
oquence and ability, and less sin for
which to atone, inasmuch as her faith
, is not based upon hypocrisy, went to
prison to appease the outraged indigna-
ton Of people who had not progressed
far enough under modern teachings to
perceive the glimmer of the sun which
shall dawn on the millenial morn.
1t is not our purpose to take sides in
tho controversy which will doubtless
ensue between the Oh fossil and the
youthful scion. We simply allude te
some new theories which threaten to up
set customs founded upon what was
supposed to be the wisdom of former
generations. We have been inclined tc
conservatism, but tho ladies of thu
whisky crusade said that radical meas
ures were the demand of tho age, an6
have induced US to take q position mid
way between the contending forces, ani
await the logic of events. We are no
satisfied with tho progress" made thus
far, if progress it can be called which
consist in going one step forward ant
slipping two backward. If they are
it is for them to demonstrate the beau
ties and advantages to be derived from
modern progression. go.