Industrial freedom. [volume] (Edison, Wash.) 1898-1???, 1898-05-14
THE ERA OF ACTION.
written for Industrial Freedom

Although 1T may NC ulihculU loi VhS
casual observer to discern glimmer OF
light in the economic darkness OF the
western hemisphere, our European
neighbors from their watch-towers are
prophesying and anxiously waiting for
America to make the advance step
which shall shake off the letters OF des-
notism and bring the dawn of true lib
erty. They look upon America as the
hattie ground. the storm-center, of the
elements which are struggling for the
emancipation of humanity.
II is probable that our neighbOrs
know us better than we know ourselves.
They discern that we are people who
act rather than debate; people who
rarely or never look at question in
the abstract. but who cross the bridges
when they come to them. In other
words. we are practical people, less
nrone to construct ideals than to meet
the axigencies of the hour with the
most ready weapons at our command.
There is reason to believe that the
people OF this republic have forged be-
yond the stage of inactiOn, the era of
dreaming, the days when men gathered
to discuss the petty trivialities which
ruffie the shallow waters of partisan
politics. The financial bugbear and
the tariff monstrosity are brushed
aside: even the economic problems
which mean so much in the emancipa-
ton of the human race receive but
scant courtesy. Men are weary OF
doubling and dreaming, of studying
problems which are doomed ut their
birth by the constituencies decisions of
4 Il corrupt judiciary, for the time has
A come for action. They are learning the
problem of advancing along the line of
least resistance.
The advance guard in the reform
forces are sometimes needlessly dis
heartened by the seeming carelessness
of the American people and their neg
lect to study the grave problems which
confront them as they have confronted
no people since the dawn of history.
1t is true that we have entered cru
cal period. We are treading on UNI
known ground. The history of the
growth and decay of civilization from
the most remote ages has nothing to
parallel the closing years OF the nine
tenth century. The wonderful inven-
lions of labor-saving machinery, and
the birth and rapid development of new
sciences. are bringing new and unequal
conditions. while the science of govern
ment stands still-the same as in past
agesa mighty barrier to industrial
and political freedom.
Ii we endeavored to transact the busi-
ness of the present day by means of the
stage coach instead of the locomotive
We could not present Il stranger spec
tacle than we do in persisting in form
Of government which we have ontgrown
and which is centuries behind our
development as u people. The lncon-
gruity of our methods of government
with our growth in the sciences Is
Infringing us to Il crisis. 1t Is like put
ling new wine in old bottles: it is like
Mputting new and powerful engines in
the worm-eaten and water-soaked hull
of a rotten ship, and the only wonder Is
that the newer civilization has not
already broken away from the ancient
methods which were not even good
enough for colonial days.
With the throbbing, pulsating heart
'eat OF new life straining every tim
@r of ship which was never designed
or such stormy seas, with the increas-
ng Possibilities of wreck and disaster.
Is pardonable II rcformers are some
INES nervous over the outcome.
To add to the popularity of our situa-
ion, We find ourselves looking to the
Did world for lessons on municipal and
latlonal affairs, for the monarchies Of
hfope have undoubtedly made mate
lai progress in the art of government.
hey are manifestly adapting the func-
ions OF government to new conditions.
but America is developing rapidly in
nocialistic thought and practical action.
the people are ready 10 welcome with
pen arms any innovation which will
'ssure them an escape from the indus
rial and economic ills which beset
hem. The efforts now being put forth
the brotherhood OF the Cooperative
commonwealth for the establishment
practical cooperation in the place of
a'oidal competition are meeting with
ne earnest consideration and support
men in oil classes. While co-opera-
fon among wealth-owners is assuming