The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-06-10

that want Of space prevents its publish
ing in full the address of Hon. Hilary A.
Herbert before the graduating class at
the State university on Wednesday
last. Mr.. Herbert chose for his sub
ject Evolution, Political and Economic
Where is it to End" and he handled
the subject in a mastery manner He
reviews the progress of events for the
last fifty years-the changes in govern
2 and in society.
In the matter of political progress he
likes up the stages of individuaiism,
P~Iternalism and socialism. Showing
what strides have been made in feder-
al. state and municipal governments in
-naIism. Here he says:
.Paternalism is the halfway house
on the road from individualism to So
cialism, and here the trend of public
opinion towards ~paternalism is unmis-
taxable, in municipal, state and federal
legislation. We see it all over the union
in the extension of municipal functions.
Many of our towns and cities own their
lighting systems; some are operating
street railways, and more than 80 per
cent. own their waterwOrkS. \ num-
Der of cities give public baths. while
IStSlOl SyIdSuSC dHu NIllCdSO IdNS
wayfarerS' inns. But the general and
m -vellOus increase of municipal expen-
ditIres tells broadly the most unmis-
taxable story"
He then treats of the dangers that lie
along this path. saying there are many
grave questions which evolution in
p~aternalism presents and will continue
to place before the country and which
will nave to be answered. He says:
one OF the most remarkable move
monts of recent date in the direction OF
seeking government help, was the sud-
den and formidable call of the Farm
ers' Alliance d few years ago, for the
loan of money from the government on
farm productS-the demand for the
Sub~-treasury system, as il was called.
Just here lies the danger. The m
reasoned that those in power claimed.
by the tariff. to ave raised the wages
of labor in factories. Why should not
the government do something to help
them? AS the reasoned. so
others will ask. If the extensions of
governmental functions already made,
work well, and general prosperity IS
cited and often regarded as justification
of all existing legislation. then why
SHOULD not the business of government
be extended in other directions? If a
city gets cheaper service by operating
street railways, why should not the
people of the whole country get cheaper
fares and freights by owning all the
railways? If cities can operate success
fully waterworks, gas works, and cleo
trio light plants, why should not the
people of the whole country get cheaper
necessaries of life by breaking up mo-
nOpolies which now control prices?
Why not turn all the business of manu-
featuring to the government? These
4. nrr0 Ic fnCt
bringing US to face, and to which we
must have an answer
Against the dangers of socialism
growing out of industrial evolution the
orator says:
"Socialistic sentiment today is more
or less widespread among American
workingmen. Fortunately, by reason
of their intelligence and prosperity, a
large majority of them now oppose II,
but, organized as they are and numer-
Gus as they are, suppose some great
writer should arise, like Rousseau, with
power to marshal in solid phalanX all
the arguments that Industrial evolution
has furnished, and with genius to utter
words like those with which Rousseau
fired the heart of France. Nothing Is
mere specious and captivating TO the
mind of the laborer, who, in spite OF un-
RENTED industry, sees his children in
III Z " ID llNC
equality not only of opportunities but
equality in the enjoyment of everything
life offers to man. 1t was chiefly the
teachings of Rousseau in his DIS
course on Inequality" that sank down
into the hearts of the French people
and inspired first the ana at
last the laborers, with the i~neXtingulsh-
able class hatred that finally caused
them, with Liberty, Equality and Fra
ternity' on their lips. TO raise In lio9
the red flag of revolution, the appalnns
signal that ushered in the anarchy and
bloodshed that for years desolalea
France and all Europe
Let us not fail to remember the point
that would be given today in another
great Discourse on py a
contemplation of the vast fortunes NOW
being heaped up, many OF them py mo-
nopolies. Blu the thought that natur-
ally occurs to us in this country is tnat
even the first step towards such a rev.
olution is impossible. The American
will never surrender the right to do as
he will with himself and his own. his
rights are guaranteed by constitutions,
state and federal, that cannot be over
thrown.
True 1t is, that up to this time the
prophecy long since made by LORD
Rrougham, that the American constltu-
ton would fail because the VIII OF the
people would not be restrained by mere
parchment barriers, has not come true.
True it is, that our institutions nave en-
dured the strain of the blocdiest civil
war in the records of history; but lei
us recall here what we all know. that
there were occasions during the strug-
gle for the union when the statesmen IN
control, including President Lincoln,
whose purity and patriotism no man
can doubt, announced that the safety
of the republic was a consideration
higher than any constitutional obl1ga-
lions. Let us reckon not, then, on con-
situations to save our property or our
liberties when these shall stand in the
way of measures that popular MAORI
ties may come to consider for the SUI
preme good of the people. Ii there De
danoer ahead 2Iet us continue to cling to
our constitution as the sheet-anchor OF
our liberties, but let us not fail to ap-
pIy in due time such remedies as the
most careful consideration shall sug-
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