The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1883-08-18

pOWerful influences seems 10 cOntrol III
fairs, and PLAIN men and citizens are de-
luded with the mistaken idea that they can
best promote their own best interests by
merely drifting with the current and dis
regarding great public interests-even IN
measures of the most practical and import
ant nature. This is rarely right or safe,
and now especially It Is not. For now the
world has entered the verge of great
physical and political crisis, that touches
all our affairs, and that day ny day adj
yances to its climax. The signs of this
are abundant In nature; and also IN the
worlds politics and great afiairs. But al.
though great, complex, mystic and varied,
this situation OF human affairs has its focal
points and It's times for wise, manly and
honorable action for every citizen, and its
labors and duties should not be stunned,
nor Its physical points be mistaken or al
lowed to be hidden or concealed by treach.
erous demsgogues, either of politics or OF
the press. "Illinois Is focal point"
The central line for cheap transportation
north and south Is unalterably fixed by the
Creative wisdom IN the physics of our
country, on which (wlen we do our part
the varied economies Of steam towing will
open new chapter, aud q new and more
solid basis for more sound, general and
better prosperity and advancement than
can otherwise be possible. God and ma
ture seem to forbid the perfidious and
needless delay, and floods in the rivers and
now the shadows of an approaching pesti-
lence. seem to admOnish anew that further
delay is criminal and dangerous. And
while manifold benefits on the one hand
invite US to act at once, on the other hand
manifold evils and dangers threaten, if we
do not act promptly and unitedly. In view
of the whole situation from local, natural
and cosmlcal standpoint, it Is not possible
TO over estimate the urgent importance OF
this practical work.
The line from lake to guilt is now, per-
haps, "A focal point in the affairs Of our
people and country, OF as vital Importance
as were the battle lines at Marathon, Sala
mis-, or Plata, nearly twenty-iour centuries
ago 10 ancient Ilellas and the world.
Happily ours is line Of peace. The rival
cities and towns of Greece were required to
unite and make most determined, noble
and manly effort for their country and
their common welfare, and il was not easy
for them to agree on anything, and espc-
clally upon the means or points OF action.
But here the predestlned physical struc-
turc of their country aided an agreement
and also aided their efforts and Marathon,
Thermopyl@, Salamis, Platp, NC, became
historic localities, commemorative o! most
merl,orIous human efforts against organ
Ized and overwhelming human power and
wealth, lnterlocked with the hereditary and
despotic principle IN politics, IN both
omen and secret array, against the demo
cratic principle. The organized and over.
wheming money, corporate, local, and he
reditary power and influence and politics,
on both sides of the Atlantic now are as
different (at first view from those Of an
Gent Persia and Greece, aud the corrupt
arlstocratlc party of Greece, and the Asian
Greek contlngents, rs are the physical
features and extent of our country from
those of Greece; or as our cities and towns
from lakes to gulf are different flom those
Hellenic towns and cities that were com
nelled to unite by fearful danger, by the
force of noble sentiments patriotism, faith
IN humanity and in Divine aid when hui
mainly strives and wisely prays, and by
mutual interests, honor and safety.
Apparently, too, the contest is as widely
different as are the material means and
forces that must be used. But an analysis
Of the motives that govern human action
will show after all that that the difference
In Its real essence, Is more apparent than
real. And so with the magnitude and im
nortance of the contest. AS il was not pos
s;ble for the men then on the scene Of &C
ton 10 realize how important to all of the
future world were their efforts, SO is 1t not
now in this case. And then as now there
we're "foaters." And as there were time
servers land also scoifers) then, who
thought to attach themselves to the great
aggregation OF both Greek and Persian
wealth and apparent power, as the side OF
safety, OF victory, OF money, (and even OF
honor, worth and right, so precisely 1t ID
to-day.
And now, as then, they wall find perhaps
themselves mistaken, If only our people
will be tue to themselves, and &c
their own God. gwen inheritance, and hon.
estly look 10 the Ureat ulVer Vi that inner
ltance for aid, while faithfully doing theil
part. neither of which have they yet done
The impulse to action and devotion should
both be stronger, and the disposition &c
"catch on" to party, to office, to organized
power, wealth, etc, should give place tc
faithful and continuous personal and gen
eral efforts tor specific and agreed objects
correspondent with our country's physics
its institutions, Its interests, welfare and
safety.
Thus the honest effort Of every single
citizen canihelp carry out the practical un
ion Of these waterways, which was writ
ten IN nature, and prepared through cons
OF ages by the Supreme Creative Power
Yet that High and Omnipotent Power al
Vsys requires OF 10 to do our part; and
delay d dangerous.
The clock Of the ages best events IL moi
run By time servers. 1t Is not controlled