Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1898-04-01
VOLUME XXXVIII.-NUMBER l8.
MEN AND NATIONS.
THOUGHTS OF THE PRESENT
CRISIS IN AMERICA.

CRISIS IN AMERICA.
The Suhlimity of the Popular
Will When Aroused to Action
The Oppressed Look to Free
America for Release From Bond
agc-Shc Will Be True to Her
Traditions.
How thrilling it is to gaze on the
face of man who is aroused either
in denunciation of evil or defense of
that which is right. His very face
will appear transformed; out of it
will have disappeared all traces of
pettiness, and as his head is thrown
back and his eyes flash, the best that
is in him will shine forth. These
supreme moments are to be cherished.
They throw things into their right
proportions; when it seems to the
aroused one that even life itself is a
small matter in comparison with the
truth that must be spoken. Personal
ease and comfort are despised until
the tongue has uttered the words that
are inspired by released nature.
The important thing at such moments
is seen to be, that the thing to be
done must be done; no matter who
she individual may be who does it;
but that the one who is aroused to do,
must do or be false to the greatest
that is in him. And to that aroused
life the truth comes home that failure
to do and to dare, may mean that the
deed and the daring will never be
done: for no two human beings fol-
low exactly the same lines of life or
meet the same opportunities. A call
to a task is therefore found to be
solemn thing that tests and Sits down
to small limits those whose tasks are
done in the dread fear of their never
returning if left undone. Thrilling is
it to see nature on fire. The men,
bers of the body must suffer if needs
be till the work is finished. The feet
must run and not be weary, the body
labor and not rebel, the brain act and
not falter; yet neither feet. nor body.
nor brain have any interest in the
duty; they are merely servants who
must suffer till all is done by the
individual who sits in control of brain
and all lesser organs.
Multiply all this many million times
and then yield yourself to the wonder
that fills the soul when a whole nation
thrills and rises in definite majesty.
The onward sweep of the tempest, the
resistless power Of the tide, the
stupendous motion of an earthquake
are trifles besides it; for this is a mo-
ton that is alive, that has brain, that
has purpose. A whole people aroused
to action is a spectacle of awe. When
by species of revelation q million
minds think alike, and move forward
to discharge the task that is before
them, individually and collectively,
the aublimity of the sight transcends
infinitely the sublimest that inanimate
nature every set before human eyes.
Where there have been trifling or even
important differences before, there will
be one vast unity. In the presence
of the national duty, leveling down
of pettiness will be accompanied by
leveling up of purpose. Strangely like
a man in his body Of men and minds.
Deep in the national consciousness, it
is understood that love of ease and
the getting of gain in untrammeled
peace are mere dust in the balance
when weighed against national duty.
Like a man, o nation awake is forced
onward by its inner conviction of what
is right and just; and the consequences
it must leave to the Arbiter of na-
tional fates, from whom cometh ma
tional inspiration and from whose
heart of mercy comes direct the feel
ing of mercy and commiseration that
possesses the breasts Of men, women
and children at this moment of ma
tional uprising. And in our thousand
hearts we feel that
"Once to every time and nation comes the
moment to decide.
In the strife OF Truth with Falsehood. for the
good or evil side:
Some great cause. Gods new Messiah, offering
each the bloom or blight.
Parts the goats upon the left hand, and the
sheep upon the right.
And the choice GOES BY FOREVER, Twlsr that
darkness and that light.
We know deep in our national heart
that now is the moment to show to
the distressed that justice is our meat
and our drink and mercy to the weak
our daily thank-offering to God, who
has brought us out of our own weak
ness into strength. We know that op-
portunities and calls come to nations
as they do to men, and that wise is
the nation that knoweth the day of
its visitation. And much as innocent
members suffer when man is aroused,
we know that many who now live
must die for an idea, an inspiration, a
national purpose, yet the cost is cheap