Weekly independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1887-1914, 1898-04-01
IS AMERICA a FALLEN SArroSg

This rather striking question re-
ceives nm affirmative answer from
Rev. William Bayard Hale l. L. D.,
in Tho Arena (March); but DR.. Hale
is not wholly pessimlstic in his view
OF our case. We are fallen" @apos-
tate" "enslaved;" but We have traits
which will yet put us in our appoint
ed place. We quote from his article
entitled aThe Epic Opportunity
Beloved America, child OF the
worlds old age, she las come-clnd
in the splendor OF her youth, mngnif-
cent in her colossal meterialisu,; but
unfinished in the serious, nobler, and
moro necessary things Ito the days
when the burden OF life must rest
upon her, n1d her people arise md
face the tremendous issues in whose
midst nations meet their destiny. 4
people Of great mental keenness, en-
ergetic, swift, undeniably n vulgar
people, with sordid, m~ercenary, con-
temptible ways OF living, but rs I'M
deniably brave, capable OF great
deeds OF noblencss has given
us this great continent, and lie has
brought here upon it to its present
stage, this vast society and life, intri-
cate complex, full OF wrong and full
OF promise, and He has led us to tins
wonderful hour OF crisis.
@No mRu can describe this people
Oh measure its characteristics, rs no
mn (yet manifest among us) can in
terpret the significance OF guess the
end OF the mighty movement which is
passing before u eyes. That we
are at this moment Il fallen nation,
an apostatc people, enslaved by a
gluttonous materlalIsm, and Il disap-
pointment TO IL God, an awakening
conscience among us bears witness.
On the other hand, there are not
wanting evidences TINT we possess
1.-THE gift OF Providence) traits which
when aroused will restore us TO our
appointed place; nor altogether, evil
dences that there is arising in the
heart OF the people II yearning for
better things, and emeging from with
in her an inarticulate resolution TO ,e
something besides commercinl-to
be a servant OF progress and honor.
There have begun to be spoken,
among a few, new words. symbols
OF a swift-gnthering movement. There
has begun to move before young men
n new standard, IL new ideal. white
with n virgin beauty never before
seen on earth, or sought by the sons
OF men. Suddenly there has been !
fashioned anew language, which talks
OF the unity 1.-THE essential, uDeecap.
able unity, in interests and destiny
OF men, OF tho JOY Of sacrifice, OF the
vulgarify OF success; which scorns
the things men hitherto have striyen
for, despising Mi but honor and free.
dom and truth; which speaks OF IN
a%rlstocracy OF simple Nor who work
~ $500 out VIII uOI Work IOr Il /
There are beginning to DO sung eongs
OF plainness and contentment, and OF
mn almost vagabond joy in nature
(sign OF reaction against old conyen-
ions concerning happiDess)
1One thing I do not discern, that
must appear il this people Is to rise to
its destiny-the man who shall lend
us. Among the murmured songs and
the whispered words, l hear no tones
firm and authoritative and assuring,
In the world there are more echoes
than voiceH. Tho crisis upon our ma.
ton waits the coming OF the man
whose gaze shall sweep the past and
aPpfehend the present as tie fruit and
evolution, appointed in its ,urn to
pass into The will SEQ WHAT other
forms; the man in whose heart sboI
dwell vision Of u world redeemed, md
the divine DnSainn I'm rodo,,,