The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1903-01-08
THURSDAY, JANUARY 8, 1908.
THE WORLDS PROGRESS IN 1902.

In review of the year just passed
the peaceful progress of the world
will command an important place.
That war was ended and another
begun, and was being waged at its
close, will at first glance seem dis
couraging; but the inference would
be misleading. 1t can scarcely be
doubted that the tendency of the
South American conflict has been in
the direction of peace. Not only has
the great cost of it inclined the Brit
ish people to peace, but the condi-
lions made manifest since the struggle
have created strong impression that
war is "a very poor means of achieving
results. The so-called war with Ven
ezuela, whatever may have been it's
original purpose, promises to be more
largely promotive of peace among the
nations of the earth, The agreement
to refer the matters in dispute to The
Hague tribunal establishes a preced-
ent of the utmost Importance, while
the spirit shown by nearly all the ma
tions of Europe is even more signifi-
can't. Universal peace may not come
suddenly, but there is genuine reason
for hopefulness in the events of the
year
In other directions the moral phil
osopher and humanitarian may dis
Germ reasons for Encouragement. The
efforts to elevate humanity have new
er been so numerous or so sincere and
practical. Not only have the rich
contributed freely of their substance,
but those who have only their inclin-
ations and intelligent labor have done
noble work. Colleges, libraries, hos
pitfalls and associations have been Or
ganized whose great value cannot be
fully appreciated until years of work
have produced their natural res ults.
While some of the churches are dis
posed to take gloomy view of the
progress of religion during 1902, there
does not seem to be any valid reason
for it. Some may have fallen off in
membership, while others have gain
ed, and the latter more than equalizes
the former. There has been very
marked progress in the spread of re-
ligious ideas, as was to be expected
from the rapid growth of education.
SC ,NnCcihla hof he To-
with it some temporary disadvantages
The increase of two classes of crimes
requiring intelligence and ingenuity
in their preparation has been dis
proportionately large, and is referred
by some to the widespread influence
of education. Even were this so it
would not be legitimate reflection
on general education, for, however
great the increase of crime, it bears
but an insignificant relation to the
spread of education. 1t is simply a
matter of adjustment, and will dis
appear as the restless and vicious are
made to adapt themselves to their en-
vironment.
The material prosperity of the
United States has been so remarkable
as to have become subject of gener-
al comment. That it will continue
through 1908 there seems at present
no reason to question. Flurries in
the stock market do not truly denote
the industrial situation. They may
occur at any time, but unless they are
caused by actual business conditions
instead of stock gambling they have
no meaning beyond local and limited
disaster. Business is wonderfully
active, with ever-increasing volume,
and there are grounds for expecting a
prolonged period of prosperity.
The nation which for many years
has held high and influential posi-
ton is more exalted today than ever
before. BY her mighty influence,
with out menace or threat, she has
checked the greatest powers ON earth,
and induced them to choose peace
rather than war in the arbitrament
of their quarrels. This is far more
glorious triumph than the winning
of battles.