New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-11-01
PESSIMISM RAMPANT.
A STUDY IN HOPELESSNESS.
RADICAL WRONGS ~ TIE P2ECEprS AND PRAC-
TICES OF CIVILIZED MAN. BY j. Wilson. A. NJ.
PHI. ID, 9vO I'D. 4l4. Newark. j. Wilson a. son.


TICES OF CIVILIZED MAN. BY j. Wilson. a. NJ
PHI. d. svo. PIP. Ala. Newark: J. Wilson son.
DR.. Wilson has here undertaken an inquest far 700
extensive for the conditions uldcr which he works. and
Of character to subordinate the justice OF the authors
criticism the generally pessimisfic effect Of his CON
illusions. His book Is In fact, an arraignment OF
civilization 1t exists and Of human society In all
Its stages aud phases. 1t Is undcnablc that this ar
ragnment exhibits much vgor and cogency, that Is
for the most part based upon rrefragibe facts, or
that 1t searches ont and finds the weak places In
human reasoning action and profession. But as
means toward improvement, snch "a sweeping and com
prehensve complaint is Illcesigned, for even If no
only impression left upon the readers mind would be
one of profound hopelessness. DR.. Wilson has no
trouble in showing that great many wrongs and
abuses exist I'm the world. that they always have
listed, and that matter how much reforms
spoken Of they never touch the worst evils that
aiict mankind, affect remediay those selfish aims
and influences which retard and ever have retarded
real progress toward q higher and purer life.
Neither is 1t difficult to demonstrate that the claims
OF the present day to the possession OF really high
civilization are in many respects prcpOsterOus that
the religious professions Of the socaled advanced
races are allen possible to their practices; that
the relations of the nations with one another are
governed by principles and motives essentially bar
barous that the relations Of men with one another
Gates; and much more TO the same effect. OF course
1t is no honest pertinent answer to such criticism
to say that the critic is pessmls for the only per-
tnent question is whether his criticism be trne and
just. Its policy is quite another consideration We
may believe that little or no good be accom-
plishcd by thus bringing into one focus all the
evidence that can be adduccd for the weak
ness, folly and vice Of men, and may refer, in sup
port of this position, TO the uniform failure OF morats
sin he daEn NJ tn
enduring changes for the better. Dr. Wilson justGes
his method by the hypothesis that nothing more is
necessary for general reform OF abuses than a
rectihcation Of public opinion and this Is singular
belief for so acute and clear mind 10 entertain.
Fer II it be possible to any differences from his
tory or experience 1t will have to be concluded that
what Is essential 10 an improvement In human affairs
generally is some great elevation Of human character
The prospect of this amendment perhaps be Judged
from the results of the jealous ubiquitous and per-
sistent efforts which for 1000 years have been
made by the best and purest and women to brine
the people into line with Gospel teaching
As to public opinion. 1t is moi stable entity: n is
merely the expression OF fugitive impressions and Is
proverbially mutable, tickle and untrstworthy More
it Is always and everywhere greatly Influenced
by those very customs. Institutions points Of view
and tendencies which ii i desirable TO eradicate or
to alter radically. Founded upon no large and smp,e
principles, motived largely by ignorance prejudice
and the baSest selshness the idea OF eRectlnp anv
true reform through snch agency as things are Is
apt to appear almost fantastic. Nor is public oppIon
itself in any way fundamental II Is really nothing
but tho mOmentary expression OF the prevailing
civilization; and II that civilization be gross selfish
low and material In tendency. the public onipiop n,
produces will be simply reflection OF itself What
needs TO be changed Is the human nature which Is
counablc. in the final analy SIS for wbatever NJ OWL
of good human life shows forth. That this human
nature is capable Of ameIioauon, moreover appears
to be the only belief comp.ilbe with anv faith in =,
higher future for the race. and il would we think
have strengthened Dr. Wilson'S pol.mic greatly Ind
he taken ferry into consideration The evidopco
afforded by the past for the capacity Of men N
rise stepping stones OF their dead selves TO higher
things, Granted that all such elevation Is dscour
agingly slow and partial. Is not evolution IN ALL
things physical ms we'll spiritual concerned with
what to finite ntclligcncos appear enormous
periods of timel
Concerning the suffering endured BY perbaps tho
majority Of men during whole ages because ~ had
or defective ideas of government we hive too ut,s
insight to the purposes Of life to be I'm nost,or 90
form an intelligcrt judgment upon the question.
Even the limited human mind, however, can perceive
That there may be several explanations the fncts md
the larger the general view taken OF life the c,I
Is 1t TO realize the possibility and accept the probo
bty Of srch hypothesis The old antlrono
morphic motions Of mans place In the universe are
rapidly disappearing, and result is the enlarge
ment OF our views rs TO the possible meaning OF tina
universe Given the Immortality OF the soul and
cosmic philosophy may work out q system Of thought
In the yastness and majesty Of whose implications
The details OF this fagmenary existence will appear
petty ana unmporinnt save us means OF discipline
and aids TO spiritual devsonmsnf. hut DR., Wilson,