The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1903-12-31
THE BANIsHED IDEALS
After the Rage for Commercislism 10
Passed, the People will Again
Turn tn Them

cred in Its faltn LndL the pcoplc Wouiu
return to the old ideals. Sometimes
the prospect of such return seemed lar
off, and that conquest, gold, and GOV
eminent by force were for many years
to ride triumphant over the hopes and
principles of the founders OF this gov
eminent, but once again the dawn OF
hope appears. The Independent de-
clared when the Declaration of Inde-
pendence was discarded and five-to-
four court made new constitution,
that there would be reign OF corrup-
ton, degeneration and crime. We
have had, and are having 1t. But
there are revolts everywhere. Hun
dreds OF men holding public offices,
ranging from United States senator
down to members Of city councils In
small cities, are being indicted and
public opinion Is sustaining the men
who have brought these indictments
about. All these years this paper has
done what 1t could to preserve the
old ideals. At first 1t stood almost
alone. There were none in the church
es, the universities or In public life
to give 1t aid. But we have stood by
our guns. We have fought the fight
the best we could. Now on the far-off
horizon cloud appears. 1t tells that
reinforcements are on the way. When
they arrive, they will find The Indc-
pendent at the same old outpost,
where for SO many years the roar OF
Its guns have been heard and that 1t
Is still firing away.
In a discussion Of graft and graft
ers, DR.. e. A. Ross, the great sociol-
ogist of the Nebraska state university,
says:
"The widespread sacrifice of the es-
sential principles Of private and OFF,
cial honor in order to get gain seems
to be a symptom of an increase in the
desire for wealth, manifestation of
what has come to be termed CONNER
cialism. The sociologist has come to
recognize that the value Of wealth as
a whole, as contrasted with other
goods such as honor, self-respect, re-
putation, and realization of ideals Is
subject to rise and fall. For term of
years there has seemed to be an APP
probation Of material goods, accom-
panied, of course, with corresponding
depreciation of other things that make
life worth living. The growth of COM
mercialism is not to be laid to the
door of any one man or policy or par
ty. In fact, men and policies and par
ties tend to reflect the underlying
movement in the social mind. OF
course, however, 1t is possible to rec
ognize and fight against theevil, and
those deserving, discerning and cour-
ageous men deserve great credit who
have sought to restrain the madness
OF the hour.
1T Is not necessary to assume that
the commercial spirit will rule in
definitely. There will be refiux and
fall in the estimate of wealth.
'The recent energy displayed in the
| uncloaking of graft can be attributed
to two causes, one general and one
specific. The general cause seems to
be a decline in the spirit of radical
ism and an increasing belief that the
many evils call not for revision of
our institutions, but for an admins
tration of them in the spirit in which
they were conceived. Ten years ago
the public was inclined to consider in
diligently all sorts of radical altera-
tions in society. Longer reflection has
made for an increasing confidence in
the soundness of the principles that
underly the existing social system, and
conviction that many present Ills
exist because these principles are not
lived up to and carried out.
THE specific cause is the diversion
OF public attention during the three
years that followed the blowing UP oil
the Maine. | predicted In 1898 thai
the engrossment of public attention In
existing foreign events would promot,
general advance OF private interests
all along the line. My prediction hat
been fully borne out. While the pub
lie were thinking OF distant exploits
the grafters. the machine men. Oh,
private financial interests were work
Ing nnremttingly. and the result 4
seen In the scandals that are now be
ing disclosed ON all hands.
! THE effect OF these exposures can
. not help but be entirely salutary. TIL
1 people are once more keenly intereste,
1 In the condition OF affairs about them
I - A A.