The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-01-31
Save the State.

To the Editor: Politicians, statesmen
and machine men are earnestly casting
about for suitable campaign issue upon
which to fix the choice OF the people who
are to vote at the coming presidential
election. But need the serious and sa-
gacious look far? Have We not already
before our eyes most momentous issue,
if our citizens would but see it?
Save the State
What more precious than self-preserva-
ticn?
The nations peril now confronts US as
it has not done before for forty years.
Is this thought a chimera of a crank?
Decidedly not! The seeds of anarchy,
avarice, selhshness, and all those evils
which make for disintegration, have been
too openly sown not to manifest them
selves. Those who are quick to appre-
hend danger are already sounding the
alarm from the pulpit and rostrurn.
What other burning issue can we raise:
We have all the prosperity we need or
ought to have; all the power we want
all the territory we can handle, and all
the respect we deserve from other nations.
Under this exceptional benefcence our
pride has become imminent and after
overweening pride inevitably comes the
fell. 1t has been the history of all time
What are the tokens of impending dis
aster? Let the daily record of the press
declare!
With our transcendant prosperity nave
ccme all sorts of license and licentlou>-
ness, and the natural consequences are
painfully in evidence. There is no a.
countablIity, no sympathy among men,
triton, no remorse. There is malfeas-
alce in office, betrayal OF trust, sharp
practice in business, cruelty in social in
tcrcourse. Contracts are made with men
tai reservations and broken without
shame. More pay is demanded when less
pay is deserved. Laws do not protect,
dc crees have no potential force Crimi
nails are not punished if prosecuted and
are reprieved or pardoned if sentenced.
The rich are almost inevitably immune.
We are practically in the midst of oper-
ative anarchy. Old World elements and
Malta Vaccinations have been introduced.
Our business lines have gotten beyond
the operators control, and operatives
have become vandals and iconoclasts.
Carelessness, and irresponsibility bescC
and endanger all our avenues of trans
portation and employment. Human lite
mas no appreciate value People take
each Others lives and their own lives
fer as trifling causes as walking delegates
tic up the business of twenty States at
once. Human life is not allowed to stanu
70. one moment as an obstacle to thc
qualification OF a scamps desires, or Ca
price. For the slightest trifle men will
send q soul to perdition with as little
compunction as they would tread a
beetle. They will wreck and kill null
titude for the i'll will they bear to an
individual or corporation and they will
kill their own selves in fits of petulance
or disappointment, or to make a momen-
tary sensation. And alas! the children are
close and active imitators OF the adults.
Well suppose we admit the truth OF
this sweeping deposition, what can be
done about it? Reply comes from the
high places and the hill affairs, we have
gene back on our courses. We have wan
dered from the traditions of our forefath-
crs, have become worshippcrs of Baal
and the golden calf, like the nations
before US who were destroyed. Our chill
dren do not honor their parents or respect
their seniors. Venerable people are set
aside as back numbers" Experience is
given no post of trust. Young men ere
chosen as counsellors over the aged, as ID
Old Testament times. Collegians usurp
the functions Of the faculties; office boys
override their employers, servants do not
regard their obligations. Domestic econ
omy is out OF joint.
And why is all this? l answer again,
il is because the underlying public senti-
ment does not support the traditions.
And why has it receded? Because it is
led astray and Influenced by selfishncss,
arrogance, and a spirit CT dominating
reclslessness which is so quantity illus
tratcd in the ruthless automobile.
This is the Automobile Age Personal
liberty has become the prerogative Of
strength. The weak are oyerborne ana
damage is requited by money payment.
When offences are considered at all, gen
orally offenders escape
Now, Mr. Editor, the most confirmed
pessimist is not willing to concede tAat it
is too late for our nation to ret eve It's
errors. There is a mighty sight of good
ness and recuperativc stamina lett in the
body polite yeti Let US go forth en-
masse to vannuish the spirit OF evil
which is abroad in the land Tor II We
are not saved by the favorable issue OF
the coming campaign, where or when shsli
we find salvation? or Moses 10 ieso
us out Of bondage to the Prince OF Dark
ness? "Of ourselves we can do nothing
Should we not all look more earnestly
to the God Of our fathers?'
CHARLES HALLOCK,
(The Professor
Fayetteville, N. c., Jan. 28, 1904.