Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1906-06-13


| social conditions which have been n
slow growth through the centuries.
GROWTH MUST BE GRADUAL.
They would create tree instantly
| and have II all complete and perfect at
Its creation, doing II while you watch
| them, like n Hlndoo juggler. They
are not content to plant the acorn aud
let the sturdy oak of social strength
grow gradually I'm accordance with the
law OF nature and as was Intended by
the all-wlse Creator.
But we cannot change Natures
laws.
They are as Interchangeable as the
stars.
Whatever men may do they must
first learn to do.
Every oppression from which the
producers OF this country or any other
sufferer to-day Is because they have
not learned or been trained to do for
themselves the things which they
leave II to others to do for them.
And those to whom they leave such
things to be done, plan to make the
greatest possible profit to themselves
for doing them.
1t Is human nature that they should
and always has been and always Will
be so.
THE DELUsIONS OF POLITICS.
The delusion that you can protect
producers from such expressions by
making laws or 10y electing this man
or that man to office or putting this
political party or that political party
In power, Is n dcluslon which has long
been maintained by q multitude OF
people.
But Ii IL only a question of time
when those who IRE misguided by this
delusion Will awaken from their
dream, and learn that there is no help
for them but to help themselves and
do things for themselves.
This great movement I'm tho direc-
ton OF doing things for themselves by
cooperative methods among producers
from the land Is something more than
mere question OF profit and loss.
1t Is the slow awakening OF n slum-
boring giant, who Is just beginning to
feel his strength, and when he has
finally raised himself up to his full
height, and trained his mind 40 that
1t can direct for his own protection all
the faculties which God has given him,
lie VIII look back with surprise and
establishment at the days when he
Imagined he was bound hand and foot
by the Liliputlans by whom he was
surrounded.
AWAKENING OF THE GIANT.
And It Is In the awakening and
training OF this glant-a symbollcal
embodiment OF the abilities and ener-
giles of the people themselves, which
IL the hope OF this nation for the
future.
You cannot oppress man who
draws the rewards OF his toll straight
from natures treasure vaults-gets IL
from the land ltsalf-land which he
owns-land on which no money lender
holds a mortgage-provided, always,
that that man has learned to coop
crate with his fellow men OF tho same
class, to do for themselves the things
winch Ii Is beyond the power of the
individual man to do for himself-the
things which require the combined
and cooperative effort OF many men
TO accomplish.
THE PHILOSOPHY OF RUSKIN.
The broad solution OF our social
problems which / am presenting TO
you contemplates the creation OF con-
dltions I'm this country under which
we Will carry into practical effect the
sound philosophy OF Ruskin when he
said:
but since we live I'm an epoch of
change and too, probably, OF revofu-
ton, and thoughts which are not to
DC put aside are I'm the minds OF all
men capable OF thought, L am obliged
to affirm the one principle which can
and In the end will close all epochs
OF revolution-that each man shall
possess the ground he can use, and no
more"
1t cOntemplates as a part of our
public school system that every bow
should be trained 80 that lie Will know
how to till the land for a livelihood.
1t contemplates that the rush to the
cities shall DO stopped by the better
ment OF all the conditions OF rural life
good roads, nearby nelghbOrs, rural
telephones, net works OF electric rail
ways, rural free delivery, thlckIy
settled communities and towns and
villages I'm close proximity TO every
farm home, so that every farner may
enjoy as well as the city dwelIer the
advantages OF schools and churches
and libraries and gymnaslums and
where art and music may DO studied
Tor enjoyment I'm the homo as well as
I'm the cities.
1t cOntemplates that wherever the
thing to be dOno for tho benefit OF
such community requires the effort
OF moro than one man, that those who
require TO have the thing done for
them, whatever It may be, shall COM
bIne together and do It for themselves.
provided II is within reach OF the
united and cooperative energy and
capital OF the aggregated number OF
Individuals who require to have the
thing done for them.
In this category are creamerfes,
laundrles, rural telephones, assOcla-
lions for the cooperative purchase OF
supplies, associations for the sale or
disposition Of the products OF the soil,
and many other associations which 4
might mention for mutual economy,
mutual benefit or mutual protection.
In sections where irrigation Is
necessary, cooperative canal systems