Evening journal., 1896-09-23
CONTEMPORARY OPINION.
AMERICAN ACHIEvEMENrs

AMERICAN ACHIEVEMENTS.
AS the century nears its close 1t is
natural that men should look at the
achievements OF the American Repub-
lie with view to ascertaining just
what has been accomplished and what
influences the nation has had upon the
world. In the rush and hurry Of mod
ern life men are apt TO overlook the
great work that has been done dur
ing the century. They stand as in a
plain, seeing only the objects which
are nearest. neglecting to look at the
great mountains that tower solemn and
silent in the distance. Then, too, men
constantly keep their attention upon
things that they would change, seek
ing for reforms, noting evil tendencies
and forgetting the substantial progress
of the age. In the current number of
the Atlantic Monthly, President Eliot
gives notable summary of the results
of American civilization which is
worthy OF serious attention. The first
and principal contribution which this
country has made towards the progress
of civilization, he thinks is the ad-
vance made, not in theory only, but in
practice, towards the abandonment of
war as the means of settling disputes
between nations, the substitution of
discussion and arbitration and the
avoidance of armanents. This would
not be placed first in the category by
many, but it is certainly a most i'm
portant gain.
The second contribution made to
civilization by the United States is it's
thorough acceptance in theory and
practice OF the widest religious toler-
ottor, Tfpofa fhfc rofnf Draof1apf I01fof
remarks that as a means OF suppress
ing individual liberty, the collective
authority OF the church. when elabor-
ately organized in a hierarchy directed
by one head and absolutely devoted in
every rank to its service, comes next
in proved efficiency to that ooncentra-
tion OF powers in government which
enables It TO carry on war effectively.
/ The third gain made is the safe devel-
| opment of a manhood suffrage nearly
universal. This development is the re-
| suit OF experience. Many limitations
have been tried, such as church men,
| bership, property qualifications the
payment OF a poll tax and ability to
read and write. The people have ar
| rived at wide suffrage as the result of
| experiments and experience and not on
| the strength OF ethical or sentimental
| theories.
The United States has made to civil
| izatiOn fourth contribution of very
fhopeful sortin demonstrating that
people belonging to great variety OF
| races or nations are, under favorable
| circumstances, fit for political free
DOM This is a point upon which men
differ, but President Eliot rightly lays
stress upon it as matter deserving
of consideration. The effusion OF we'll
being among the population is the
fifth notable contribution to civiliza-
tion. No country in the world ap-
proaches the United States in this re-
spect. 1t is seen in that diffused ele-
mentary education which implants foI
life a habit OF reading, in the success
of the voluntary system for the support
OF religious institutions and in the ha-
bitual optimism which characterizes
the common people 1t is seen in the
housing of the people and Of their do
nestle animals; in the comparative
costliness OF their food, clothing an(
household furniture; in their imple
ments, vehicles and means OF trans
portation, in their public buildings anC
business blocks, in their pleasures anC
in the substitution on a prodigiOu'
scale Of the work of machinery for the
work of mems hands. These are some
OF the results OF a century Of American
democracy. President Eliot does wei
to call attention to them at this time
when the institutions Of the United
States are threatened by anarchisti'
political leaders.-Hartford Post.