Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1905-08-18

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tions into the apathy of death. New
ertheless, the more closely We scruti-
nize the incongruous mass OF historical
data, We are enabled to perceive that
amid all of the bloody records of the
past there is much testimony going to
show since the clan period of primi-
tive man, which was followed by the
development of village and communal
life, and became very pronounced in
the medieval city-life, embracing al
together period of some fifteen cen-
turies; that ordinarily men preferred
to enjoy the peaceful pursuits Of every
day life instead OF engaging in war and
conflict. True the battles between
kings and princes, the crimes of po.
tentates and the tragedies of the mill
itary have been more carefully and
industriously noted than the compila.
ton of reliable data pertaining to
everyday life of the common people.
This practice has considerable vitality
in this day and age. The press is dill
igent in recording war scenes, the
crimes of officials and individuals,
while matters relating to brotherhood
and good fellowship among men are
made less prominent.
During the above times, instances
were by no means rare, wherein the
inhabitants of various communities
enjoyed long periods OF peace and
prosperity in the common walks OF
life; lived on terms of good fellowship
with their neighbors, because they
recognized this principle of mutual
assistance and carried the same into
practice in their dealings with their
fellow men in the particular com.
munity or commonwealth. A few il.
lus strations will serve to make this
proposition the more emphatic: When
the inhabitants Of a city desired TO
purchas food supplies, such as wood,
coal, etc., the commodities were first
brought to the market place and there
offered for sale at Wholesale prices
fixed by certain officials selected by
the people Of the city or community.
The market remained open until the
entire population had q reasonable
to purchase goods for
their needs. In any event the pur-
chasers were only allowed to resell at
small margin of profit. The market
place was considered sacred; strangers
might attend without fear of being at.
feuds were laid aside for the
time being. Feudal lords who had no
scruples about robbing merchants
along the highways. respected the
rights OF the people attending the
market places. Workmen belonging
to different crafts, labored co-opera.
lively in the construction OF churches,
etc. chose arbitrators to
settle all differences that might arise
between the respective crafts or, the
individual members thereof.
There prevailed during the middle
ages, organized guilds of merchants,
priests, craftsmen, painters, teachers,
hunters. fishermen, peasants, beggars
and fallen women. In all Of those
organizations men and women treated
one another as brother and sister; the
rule of equality was universally recog-
nized among the different guilds.
Otherwise they would have gone to
pieces for want of fraternalism and
coherency.
In various cities existent during the
above period, it was provided by ordi-
nance that work must be pleasant.
A royal ordinance in the time of
Ferdinand the First, enacted that
miners working in the imperial mines
should only be required to labor eight
hours each day, with a Saturday half
holiday. Mr.. Rogers says, that in
England in the fifteenth century the
workmen worked only forty-eight
hours a week. Economical Interpre-
tation of History, page 3O3)
Captains on board Of ships during
the first half day out of port would
call the sailors together, when all
would agree to act as brothers, avoid
quarrels during the voyage, to cherish
no i'll will towards one another after
landing at their destination, and to
settle all disputes through judges Sc.
lected by the whole crew.
In the sixteenth century. CONNER
cial policies involved many Of those
cities in distant enterprises; merce-
nary armies were kept for colonial
wars and defense at home. Their
wealth was based upon commerce; the
inhabitants became estranged from
the land; agricultural pursuits were
neglected; large loans were contract
ed local contests became more bitter
at each election; wealth became con.
centrated in few hands; and the peo-
pie were demoralized. The royal au.
thority Of rising powerful states in the
subjugation OF such cities found ready
support among the poor peasants. The
mercenary soldiers, in the pay of the
cities, lacked courage; the masses
were wanting in public spirit and in
cohesion of interests, induced by the
foregoing causes.
The principle of mutual assistance
in our time, finds forcible expression
among men in all conditions and walks
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