The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1898-11-17
Present Day Thoughts.
By G. Grosvenor Dave.

BY G. Grosvenor DAVE.
written for The Commonwealth
AS to France It would be very
easy indeed to write of France in light,
sarcastic vein, because of great many
of her opera bouffe performances in
both recent and historic times. The
impulse must be somewhat curbed,
however, tor tickle and almost amusing
though France may be, her own great
national destinies and the individual
destinies of her millions are involved
in the outcome of policies that may be
and are flippantly entered upon.
doubt not, however, that when his
tory Is written hundred years from
now, the "Fashoda incident" with its
outcome of hostility towards England,
will be found to be-though apparent
lv the most-yet in fact, the least tickle
of frances recent acts. Viewed in one
way, it reminds one of DR.. Talmadge's
dog and his experiences with the ice
cream freezer. This unhappy canine
finding cream in freezer, inserted his
head and and Tapped it all up. Then,
alarmed by shout, instead of having
sense enough to draw his head out
q uietly, pushed it in further and SO
ran blindly hither and thither about
the yard. Taimage wisely remarks on
the brevity of the dogs pleasure, and
the length of his subsequent agony and
humiliation. This much ought to be
said for the dog-whatever he afterward
suffered, be still had the cream. There.
in the illustration fails to fit the case
of France. As I have intfmated In
previous lines, it will some day be seen
that Notwithstanding the nonsensical
claims of France to have possessions or
Egyptian soil, just because Kitchener
whipped the Khalifa in time to prevent
his swallowing Marchand, like the
sparrow that flew higher than an eagle
lust because it hid in the eagles wing
yet the willingness of French states
men to risk disastrous and possibly
fatal war was wise move, it results
had justified it. They regarded TIL
"Fashoda incident" as splendid mean
of diverting the attention of the hom'
populace from the rotten travesty upo'
democracy which the French peopl
haye to endure.
France is like the average human
heart it has lar less to fear from ene
mics without-though they destroy
b than from self-treachery within. L
: fact, the strength OF the enemy withou
will be increased by the weakness an
irresolution within. The Third Re
+ public is not yet thirty years old, ye
no one can see in it any other tha
d signs of decay and premature senilit.
IS The rosy light OF exuberant you'll
= proud OF Liberty, fraternity, Equa
: ity." has faded entirely away, till the'
words are uttered-instead OF with talt
- and feellng-with the quaverlng vol
ID Of an aged 1nfidel, who believes not
o. ing, hopes nothing, and whose Al
does not save from foolishness. 1t Is
sad commentary upon the men WI
have mismanaged France, and up'
w the populace who have permitted m
of management. 1t shows that bro
u comprehension of human rights Al
bnman trustworthiness Is still Tar tro
this semi-Latin race.
lr. -
III France has been blessed by
mt unself;sh men like Theirs, but th'
OF. hova not been in sufficient numbers
,at keep down the aspirations OF design
,.e men. and-those who are equally ia
to Republlc-whimsical men. wal
the next game where twenty-five
per more boys are gathered together;
sed You will get fair picture OF fran'
,dy legislative proceedings. There IS Ia
&c n. the wisdom for many men OF mi
minds to work together in unity );
there is no lack of an inslstent lnoiVl
" alitv that is content with drown
the voice of the opponent, with gre'
he noise, Indifferent as to whether q
see convinced or not. This no'sy ana
oot iointed way of conducting affairs Is
recent development, but Will
found throughout the history OF
me- present Republic; changing the ca
judicial atmosphere OF thought
the hot, passion-scented air Oh
pladiatorlal arena. 1t is this loye
;oo+ personal triumph this "rule or Fl
.bo ovorape French