Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1889-07-11

pass under Inc lnfluence OF party DOsse'
who develope into demagogues, land out
of this condition of affairs a monarchy
will arise, and the story OF the Roman
nation with variations, will be repeated
as part of the general history of man.
kind. After Caeser comes assassina-
ton and then anarchy, and period OF
reformation, and some fragments OF a
broken down nation will start out on a
new career of progress. Is this repub-
lie doomed to pass through such cycle
We are directed to think that such an
outcome of our national greatness is
possible. The theory is, that to avoid
danger we must understand it, to over
come it we must face it. For more
than thirty years before the Civil War
we were continually reminded of an inn
pending conflict. A few thoughtful
men believed in it, the masses thought
the dangers would be tided over when
ever they thought of the matter at all.
But the catastrophe hastened on. Com
promise only delayed the inevitable.
Our unprecedented growth in popula-
tion and wealth has created new dan
gers-new in our national experience
such as invariably arise between the
rich and the poor, the virtuous and the
vicious, the Industrious and the idle,
and as the latter classes are much the
largest in any community, it requires
the exercise of the strongest moral in
fuences on the part of the former to
keep the latter in such state Of sub
lection as shall secure the good order
and healthy growth of society. We
are not disposed to grow respondent
over the possibility of danger to come.
1t is always well to keep a sharp look
out for dangers. These notes of warn
ing uttered by scholars, some of whom
are men of affairs, versed in political
science, from the vantage ground of
our colleges, are timely, and should set
men to thinking. If there be bright
side to the shield it can be kept bright
by keeping in mind the fact that there
is a dark side. When the question is
asked, what view shall we take of the
state of the nation? we should say, take
the optimistic view, not in that extreme
sense that sees no danger ahead, but in
that sense which shall lead to the bring
ing into vigorous action all the forces
that make for good in national life
Men of great moral strength and char
acter are the leaders in civil affairs, we
have well established educational sys-
tenn, in fact we have the necessary ap-
phances for bringing into constant and
emphatic play those Influences that save
from moral and political decay. 1t is
well for us to take pessimistic view,
but not so extensive as to see no good
in things evil, or no good amongst all
that is evil surrounding us. We need
10 know our danger and to feel it with
sufficient intensity, to keep us Keen and
active in avoiding it. We are not to
permit the possibility of danger to i'm
,air our efforts in the development of
he means of safety. He who meditates
90 much in the shadows will not be
Ible to see clearly in the bright light.
/ should be impressed upon our minds
hat things do not necessarily 60 awry
BECAUSE they do not go accordingto our
wishes. This is the difficulty with too
much of the mugwump pessimism that
gorks out through certain class of
olitical journals. We sometimes fear
hat the scholar catches the same tone.
We need to hold ourselves to cheer
IL outlook, do whatsoever lies within
ur power for building up the nation
i truth and righteousness. Each man
IT himself should act honestly and up
ghtly in all public and private affairs,
ssured that in the general plan of the
Overnment of the universe, sooner or
ter the evil win 60 down into the
and the goodsit on the throne. :
here are good men enough and good !
rinciples enough in the methods of our
vii polity, to save the nation from de- {
". If we viii only take heed and set
B guards in season we can prevent
lie coming in of some of the evils we
e looming up in the future. We have 5