Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-04-08
1888, 114Oa 1142 MiRKET ST.


as an instrument of life, not as rea-
son for living and therefore dominant
over mems lives. All life will grow
simpler in dealing with property, it's
use only will be considered, and it will
be administered in the way best cal
culated to make men and women
happy.
Morris believed that the existing
form of society is gradually but with
increasing momentum disintegrating
through its own sheer inability to meet
the needs of humanity. Though him
self capitalist, and & practical man
Of business, acquainted with all the
supposed advantages Of capitali5tic
management, Morris believed that the
capitalist system of production is fast
breaking down. When the capitalist
class is no longer able to control in
dustry, Morris confidently believed the
people in their collective capacity will
take the control. Our present democ-
racy, he thought, contains many valu-
able elements of liberty, but 1t is only
a transitional state which is merely
preparing society for fuller and COM
pleter state of brothrhood 1t may be
centuries, he said, before this ideal
state is ours, but when it has become
the programme of society, then the
furthest we can now conceive of is
only a stage of the great journey of
evolution that joins the future and the
past to the present"
President Raymond then discussed
Morris News from Nowhere" in
which he pictures the England of the
future as he thinks il will be when
class struggles and prejudices have
been abolished and men mingle in So
cial fellowship and social equality.
This work is one Of the most beautiful
dreams ever given to the world. Sir
Thomas Moore has given US UTOPIA"
Bulwer Lytton dreamed of the Coming
Race" Edward Bellamy pro1hesied Of
the future in Looking Backward" and
Ignatius Donnelly in Caesars Col
umn." But no dreamer or seer has
dreamed SO beautiful, SO ideal a dream
Of the future as has Norris in his
News from Nowhere" The world
two or three hundred years hence, rs
Morris pictures it, will be new world,
cleansed of its selfshness, it's artificial
ity, it's misery. Every phase of life will
assume different aspect. Want, jeal-
ousy and hatred will be unknown.
At the time of his DEATH Morris was
the leading spirit of the Hammersmith
socialists, the members of which are
thoughtful men, artists and writer's
Morris was one of the most active Of
its members. To Morris's teachings
is due the organization of the Annual
Arts and Crafts Exhibition in England.
He was quick to detect and encourage
genius, and all workmen who evinceG
tiOliC dppl CINatlOh anu ShIll 1OuAu IA
him sympathetic and helpful friend.
DR.. Raymond ended his lecture with
the closing words of News from No
where in which Morris voices his
faith in a beautiful future when the
burden of poverty and misery has
fallen from the world. Waking from
his long vision, Morris goes forth into
the dingy world again to take up the
old burdens and see the old despair
about him, but in his ears rings this
farewell from the ideal world he has
left behind him: GO back again, now
you have seen us, and your outward
eyes have learned that in spite of all
the infallible maxims of your day there
is yet a time of rest in store for the
world when mastery has changed into
fellowship, but not before. Go back,
then, and while you live you will see
all round you, people engaged in MAX
ing others live lives which are not
their own, while they themselves care
nothing for their own real lives-men
who hate life, though they fear death.
Go back and be the happier for having
seen us, for having added a little hope
to your struggle. Go on living while
YOU may, striving with whatsoever
pain and labor needs must be to build
UP little by little the new day of fellow
ship and rest and happiness"