The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-05-20
GREAT REVOLUTION Is
NOW ON IN AMERICA
BY WALTER HARPER.

I N the storm Of scandal and disclosure
of public fraud of the present day
one is apt to become pessimistic re-
gardng the future of the country but
am inclined to take an optimistic view of
the situation.
There is no more graft in public life to
day than in any other age of the world.
There is more exposure and stronger
sentiment against public corruption and
for this reason we see more of the effects
of the evil The sores are being opened
up, preparatory to healing and we see the
corruption exposed. whereas, in nearly
every other age of the world public graft
remained hidden sore, gnawing at the
vitals of every form of human society
and governemnt
At several periods in the history of the
world the people have aroused themselves
and waged warfare against the evil and
usually there has been blood shed. There
is not a better example in history than the
French revolution when the fair hills of
the country were bathed in the blood Of
suffering people.
Graft and public corruption were allowed
to feast on the vitals of the Roman empire
unchecked until it died of governmental
tuberculosis. A revolution might have
saved the country and preserved some of
the glory of the nation for after years but
the people remained inactive until the
time came when they were helpless.
Graft has overthrown powerful nations
in every age of the wo ID even from the
beginning and will CO. .fnue to do so as
long as the world stahds unless checked
by public sentiment and revolution.
/ do not apprehend any such results in
America.
The present age is one OF enlightment
and we have a better way than through
the agency of war to effect a remedy.
Public sentiment will give us relief and
the remedy is being applied at the present
tiy r. Fl aads -f5tH 9oaa tnt ?
America is at the present in the midst
" a. mighty revolution-one of the great
est the history of the world from
with will come with flying colors with
out the shedding of human blood. Graft
will be uprooted in our fair land and on
these shores will rise a nation that, in fact,
will be the browning of liberty and popular
government in the world With graft
eliminated the strife between capital
and labor can be adjusted and the two
great economic problems of the age will
have been solved.
Russia is just now furnishing the world
with a nOmentOuS eKdllple OI the WAT
against graft that must come to every
country sooner or later. But poor old
Russia has a harder battle to fight than
America The constitutional condition Of
the patient is far more unfavorable and
more stringent remedies will have to be
applied. There are more complications to
contend with and the disease is a little
deeper seated.
In Russias case the blood is all wrong
and will have to be toned up while in
America the blood is in fine condition and
the constitution good. The sores are sur
face affairs though ugly and stubborn.
Russia has made the first important step
"a correct diagnosis, and is now ready to
apply the blood tonic and the liver medi-
cine. The final cure will certainly follow.
The convalescent period may extend over
many years and part of the treatment
may be severe. but a cure is certain.
In America the cure will come more rap
idly and will be, If anything, more effect
ual
I really feel that America is approach
ing the period of its greatest glory. A per-
iod when healthy public sentiment and
sound public conscience will direct the
government, when the spirit of friendly
arbitration will adjust all differences and