Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1904-02-03

ln1 EVOLUIIONS are almost import
9Rei E6A1 ant when they involve a tranfOr-
E&P11NNN nation or fundamental break
| -HN HN& up, Of social structure, without
%RATN tbe direct and conscious operation
| ~ ~ OF purely political forces. Revolu-
IA AA tiOns looking only to a change IN
the form Of governmental institu-
lions nave usually proved merely transient attacks
upon the existing order. It is q common saying
that the world Is always changing, but to the stu
dent OF general history fact appears better estab
shed than the decisive force OF tradition and habit
over the great majority Of the human race. Before
the dawn OF Christian era, the Of progress ap
pealed only to q few favored nations. Where it
made its greatest advance It was commonly checked
and detected by external causes The political and
economic pOlity Of the Roman Empire summed M
and controlled all that was left Of the civilization
that antedated it's establishment. A vast deal was
Obliterated by it's triumph, q vast deal was con-
hrmed; but ell progress had been transferred from
Asia to Europe, and for q thousand years the
greater part OF Europe remained In the depths Of an
immemorial darkness. To-day it is easy to see that
the seed field OF time did not lie entirely fallOw
throughout the long lapse OF the Middle Ages but
1t is wonderful what little advance was made in
science and in the practical arts Of life for so many
centuries The Renaissance, dating from the fall Of
COnstantinope iD 1453, primarily was but a revival
OF aDcient learning, philosophy and art. That was
therefore, period OF recovery, rather than OF
progress. And at the best, only a few European
countries, and only the privileged classes in those
countries, we're directly affected. Something essen
TALLY inspiring and infections latent in the old
ideas and ideals brought mere to light but CEN
tures we're yet to pass before the whole loaf Of the
civilization could be eavened with the vital prin-
ciple OF logically necessary constant and universal
advance. The birth Of that idea marks the begin
ming Of the modern world.
The Europe Of today suggests In it's social and
political aspects geological analogue. Il does not
~ whole, belong to one period OF time. Older
formations are still here and there emergent above
tbe crpst Older forms Of life are still struggling
for existence Indeed, it is only by faith in the In
eVitaoleness OF the triumph Of humanity over
privilege aud caste that one can still expect the
grand democratic opportunity an open career for all
talents on that continent for that matter anywhere
on this earth. But, go far great part Of Europe
has only vaguely apprehended the true democratic
idea.
The provocative power Of the principle OF advance
has been enormously enhanced by increased facili-
ties Of communication which have made intellipence
to spread like fire through the remOtest quarters Of
the earth. Here and there it encounters greenwood
which kindles slowly but the pervasive power Of its
heart Is telling and the eventual blaze is certain
The case Of japan is 10 point. There immemorial
precedence and customs have yielded with cOmpara-
tive readiness 70 the touch OF modern energy The
marvellous aptitude Of the Japanese people has taken
10 the whole significance fthe movement which has
transformed the life Of 80 much Of Europe and
America. As with the turning Of the wrist, the
kaleidoscope presents new and perfect picture,
japan has emerged from the past coniormed to
conditions and determined upon their development
The sleep is ended. It's dreams are gone. The sig
nihcance Of this fact is that il demonstrates the
progressive capacity Of oriental nations China
will follow in the wake Of Japan. What EaurOpe
and America could not teach, China will learn from
her long, patient pupil, and take a place in the
general onward march. Reaction has already begun
IN that sluggish mass. China feels the thrill OF 3
new life, stirring at the roots Of arrested civilization
and presently viii begin to sprOut and buFgeOn.
Evidently new preeipitate is to be expected
from the general feFment which is tnging even here
in' the United States. We have our own special
problems to deal with, and precisely the same prob
lens which interest as must ia the course Of time
demand solution everywhere. Nothing is certain
but racial capitalization. Every indication points
to the conclusion that the white race the Caucasian
peoples must stand at last crystal pure.