The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1898-11-24
Present Day Thoughts.
Written for The Commonwealth
By g. Grosvenor Dave.


To America via France Let us
bear in mind amid the dangers sur
our sister republic-dangers
greater from within than from with
her generous help was ten
dered and the blood of some OF her no
blest sons split, when we were in sore
distress last century. It is of but slight
moment that some of her statesmen
were undoubtedly using us as an ex-
cuse for shifting an ancient enemy;
for we were in the position OF an en-
dangered maiden who has nothing todo
with the mutual hatreds OF her defend
er and her assailant. It is enough
for her that her ravisher was beaten
off.
~.
Worked into the web and woof OF
our national fabric is much that was
watered and that grew on French soil.
Inspiration came to our hard-headed
men from some of the fine-spun but
Impractical dreamings of French phil
osophers. Yet that which to them be-
came most awful license when trans
planted from the library OF the thinker
to the heart of the common man was
to us beginning of a beneficent devel-
opment, so strong that it has wlthstood
all strain thus far. At the present day
we are therefore IN the position of be-
ing exceedingly grateful for all OF sug-
gestion that came from French sour
ces, yet at the same time very regret
full that we cannot sympathlse with
her in all her vagarles and impulses.
It is as though flax that grew on a
farmers land was used by us in max
ing fine linen to cover our nakedness,
while the farmer saw in it only materi-
al for making rope to hang him
self.
A republic1lke France, that is re-
public in name only, is horrld mock
ery. It raises men's hopes only te
dash them cruelty down. 1t produces
a national stupidity that makes words
seem worthy standards to rally round
| while the "principles" that the words
represent are trampled under loot
The stirring and moving and march
ing of a nation Is a majestic thing
when the welding power OF the light
ming flash of wrong unites men OF re
motest distances into one common re
sistance, like our own of century ago
Rnt it is million times sadder thar
the foolishness Of one man, to see ma
ton that was once awake, grow so con
fused at the glare of the light OF liber
tv created by itself, that it turns an
opposses the very COMMON people VIII
first made its resistance possible.
I A republic of all governments shoul
he stable and sedate, for the guidln
hand of those who..have been governln
classes for ages is removed and unles
careful men, men of duty doing devt
tion are in charge of affairs there WI
he vays of woes and of uncertainty
traverse. In republic no one cla
should be more unimportant than al
other. nor can any one individual
neglected, for the most lnslgnlhca'
, man has, in a republic, power II
good or evil that may be exerted
T s,ve or to endanger at a fateful M
ment.
No prophesy of good can thereto
be uttered concerning France nor al
a other repulic, it it, neglectlng the cn
i dren and the weak, forgets that on
b unon the intelligence and devotion a
ar-headedness OF each succeeo'
e generation can hopes be based
= = maintaining the noble work OF De
=. hands that have laid down the tas
h The character OF the unit OF govel
a. mont. the voter, effects the strength
e. tho whole. The trite old remarks,
w claim Is no stronger than its weak
a. link" and "water will not rise aoe
e it's source" are hitting, because they
ne true. The value of that unit is
ba h ways, therefore, a matter OF the
a. premest moment to government
ia the people, for though man may
n be wise enough to govern he Is
:e @ capable of being evil enough to dlstu
Nd though he may not be strong eno'
le- to build, he is yet capable OF weaE
&C. ing foundation and tearing down.
ee. ***
m m It is impossible for sane gov
ma ment to be as uncertain as next we
'ns, Constipation prevents the body
tie ridding itself Of waste matter. De"
Law Little Early Risers will remove
',te 'us trouble and cure Sick Headache,
aad d onsness. Inactive Liver and clear