The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1899-09-07
TROUBLOUS TIMES,

Are we nearing catastrophe?
Read the following from the Coming
Nation:
That we are living in turbulent times is
evidenced by the turmoil and disaster daily
occurring in different parts of the world
The current news Of the day consists largely
of stories of violent disturbance in nature
and social disorders. The late hurricane
at Porto Rico, devastating the islands and
destroying life, has its counterpart not less
deplOrable In organized cruelties, riots and
wars in other parts of the world, wholly
within the province of man. Disasters by
sea and land, pests and epidemics are sell
dom unaccompanied by social eruptions and
the brandishing Of daggers between broth
ers. Whether the evil in man causes ma
ture to wreak blind vengeance, or natures
commissions attract human diabolism to the
surface is question for the philosopher to
decide. Heartrending details of cruelties
practiced. from prison keepers to army and
navy officers, make up some Of the news
Of the day, while suicides, murders and
other casualties, scarcely less fatal make up
another column of matter with big head
lines, all of which is supposed to be good
stuff" for the great daily. For this reason
hot weather is generally favorable to sensa
tional journalism; for during such torrid
waves as recently passed over this country
and Europe crime Is rampant. It was re-
ported to have been SO hot in England last
week that lead was melted on the house
roofs. and fields of grain set On fire by the
sun and burnt to the ground. Relief from
the heat in the Northwest came with cleo
trio storms, which destroyed crops and
purified the atmosphere, terrifying the in
habitants. Many things in these trouble
some times exist in contradictions and at
cross purposes. The commercial reason why
the blight in Russian wheat fields may help
us is plain, but how a humane people can
enjoy gain measured by others misfortunes
is as great q paradox as seeing Christian
gentleman and a patriotic supporter Of our
constitution favor the prosecution OF the war
in the Philippines and the unwilling sub
lection of their people to foreign power.
It was predicted years ago, by some who
claimed they could see deep into the causes
operating In the world, that the closing
scenes of this century would be fraught
with dissension, strife and disaster and the
prediction is surely being verified. AS one
extreme generally follows another may we
not hope that the beginning of the next
century will usher in 4 reign of peace, har-
mony, security and brotherly love?
The worst sign of the times is the in
difference and blindness Of the people.
A negro minstrel show has more at
fractions for most of them than a dis
cussion of the fundamental principles OF
government.
Many thought that the public schools
insured liberty forever. Give the whole
people lit was said) the capacity to read
and write, and they will be well in
formed. and can never be led back into
bondage. But universal education has
simply prepared field for the daily pa
pers, and plutocracy owns the papers,
and thereby controls the people; and
the masses are today as much the slaves
of the ruling class as they were In the
Middle Ages. And where is relief to
be found2 I. D.