The University daily. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 18??-????, 1893-06-14
The Mirage d the twentieth Century.

In the study of history, We find
that no age has been perfect Each
has experienced its vicissitudes and
trials. Each. like the sea, has been
vexed with shadows and perplexed
by storms. Each age has been tronb-
led with it's selfish hypocritical Or
mistaken leaders and teachers. Each
has also been blessed with its cue
cessfnl ventures in pursuits which
elevate humanity, and can point to
names which are Immortal, totehar.
acters upon whom rest The civiliza-
Ikisn tlaat - el,erish, homer and
would die Ia defend.
L As we traverse times labvrinths
we can waste energy in repining over
enterprises and ventures that have
failed we gain wisdom by the study
.of the wrecks OF institutions thought
to be eternal; or We are instructed
by the permanence OF those which
have Withstood the conflicts OF the
ages. The builder can never Forta
tell the uses to which the build
ing will be devoted. No man knows
the effect his invention will have on
the world, neither can he foretell
the evil that may be wrought by his
mistakes. nor the direct harm or III.
Innate good which NAV arise from
the action Of passion when dashed
into fury by sense Of wrong. Did
the mathematician, Watt. while ex-
perimenting with steam. foresee
with prophetic ken the majestic
steamers, the floating palaces oil
every. ocean. defying storm and tide
and riding the waves with compare
tive safety2
Or did he foresee the rapid ex-
press train outstripping the winds
as she speeds from city to ely, and
across continents, with her freight
and burden of souls?
Did the oppressed and furious
commons of Paris. while moving On
the Bastile. know that ere that work
would end, Europe would be deIug-
ed in blood, monaIchs deposed and
beheaded, castles destroyed and com
mons elevated to thrones? They
knew not that out sof the ashes Of
oppression would arise . more per-
feet knowledge and practice Of the
rights Of men,
History repeats itself, but with all
knowledge and experience, we know
absolutely nothing Of the future, 81
regards our social Institutions. With
all our faith, hopes and fears, our
best views Of the future are no more
real than the mirage Of the desert
And yet the mirage that tempts the
weary traveller 20 hasten his steps
by offering him rest Ia the shade 81
stately palms, and refreshing drinks
from bnbbling springs, il true pic.
ture Of the real which does not exist
somewhere. and il will yet be found
| All effprt in the search for truth
will be rewarded and the discovers
of the fountain head will wear th.
yfctor's laurel. A better state OF 80
ciety than the world has ever know
will &c some time be realized.
But tIisof j mistake that We MisI
70 speaka miragethe most ID
viting and dangerous of ali the illu
sions which tempt mankind 70 leau,
the true course mapped upon til,
chart Of experience. We refer TO 90
cialism, Or the doctrine or commu
nifty Of property
Socialism i alluring aimee II pro
poses to elevate society BY radica
change of sosfs ystem, rather thai
hy social intellectual regeneration
Of the people ii promises / systen
that will make al equally happy AM
rontented BY making N equal dis
! tributioD 81 property By brrakiD,
down the law Of compensation, thi
natural sqnaIity already exciting
and substituting % astiflciaI eqnsli