The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-01-27
The Organic Law.
Editor of The Times:

Editor of The Times:
S:r-lu a democratic government, why
should we have constitutions OF such
binding force and effect on our future ac-
.tono Docs not such conduct imply very
strongly a want OF confidence IN our
selves as well as in our posterityz ny
pirate concerning our natural rights, maj,
,Iral abilities and or natural ttnesS lor
ss.lf-cavernnent, and then tie ourselves
and our children down to a set of pTlncl-
pies and rules which, even if they SUI
flee our present needs and requirements
may he entirely unsuitable for our future
growth or for our dccadence2 y suit OF
clothes for :: small boy should not be
made for the purpose OF lasnnS nm
through manhood and in old age we
should have no Constitution, unless we
live up TO the demands of it, or down tic
its requirements
And as evolution Is the law of our be-
ing. either of growth or decay, according
as the germs of either which may be
present in US must determine, it would
seem folly 10 clothe the future with eth
or The habiliments OF youth or with the
garments of old age The absolute has
never Yet been found. Either growth OF
decay is the state, or condition OF al
things or beings; these being self-evident
truths. why hinder man in his high and
noble resolves 10 climb the heights in his
l,opeful efforts to find the highest good?
WHY chain the living present or the nope
fuI future to any dead or decayinS car
cass of the past? Why not let US take
the lamp of the past, only to GUIDE ouf
feet in the future pathway OF upward ano
onward progress toward higher and hoiie1
ideals? Let creeds and dogmas of either
Church on state drift into the dark. back
ward and abyss of time. and let our con-
duct be measured by the living. present
and eternal necessities of the human SOUL
Can. or Will the Creator make a being SUI
perior to himself? Can. and ought the
creature to be over and above the Crea-
tor How far advanced is such conduct
from, that of our ancient and barbarous
ancestors who made their own gods to be
worshipped by themselves" Although
these gods doubtless represented as nigh
ideals as they had attained. Yet in thelI
fast ening such on an unborn generation
though sincere, conscientious ana oeileV-
ing that they Were acting Tor the pest-"e
are now able TO see the great folly OF
such Why can we see their follleS SO
clearly and ours so dirnly, or not all. 1t
reminds me forciolv of the exi1ortation of
our Great Teacher: ''Why beholdest thou
the mote that is within thy brothers
exc. yet perceiveth not the beam that is
within thine own eye? Quoting the
substance of the imprisoned Patrick
lIenry's language, used in the House of
l.tlrsesses. l Will say: We know no lamp
by which our feet are to be guided ex-
cept the lamp experience: we know nc
way OF judging the future except by the
past.
What Inconsistency for us to sheer at
orr ecclesiastics for having or making
creeds. and cry out at them: Every creed
IS a rock in running water: humanity
sweeps by it. Every creed cries to the
universe, halt, a creed is the ignorant
mast BULLYING the enlightened present"
and while these sarcastic words are still
warm upon our lips, we are seriously
and husiIy contemplating the making for
our civil government just such an anom-
alv W. II. BARROW
Barrow's Store. Va, Jan. IS, 1901