The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1906-07-10

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under officials of it's own choosing,
although, may add, we scarcely go
beyond England in recognizing the
omnipotence of parliament fresh
from the people. It is difficult to
overestimate the potency of this con-
ception of government upon the pro-
press of a nation and, in turning the
thought of the world away from les
potism to tie possibilities of self
government, the pioneers of free
dom made Western civilization possi-
bic. An idea will somp times rcvolu-
tionizc an individual. Il community, 4
the idea that man possesses iualicn
able rights which the state did not
give and which the state, though it
can deny, cannot take away, has made
millions OF human beings stand erect
and claim their God-eiven inheritance.
| While the era of constitutional liberty
is ever widening, while the tyranny
and insolence Of arbitrary power are
every year decreasing, the leaders Of
the worlds thought, not only the
English speaking nations. but the
other Christian nations as well, have
yet much to do in teaching reverence
for the will of the majority and res
pect for the public servants upon
whom the people bestow authority.
The Christian nations must lead
the movement for the promotion of
peace not only because they are
enlisted under the banner of the
Prince Of Peace, but also because
they have attained such a degree of
intelligence that they can no longer
take pride in purely physical victory.
Tie belief that moral questions can
be settled by the shedding of human
blood is relic Of barbarism; to doubt
the dynamic power Of righteousness
is infidelity to truth itself. That ma
ton which is unwilling to trust its
cause to the universal conscience Or
which shirks from the presentation
of its claims before a tribunal where
reason holds sway betrays lack of
faith in the soundness of its position.
I venture to suggest that the world s
peace would be greatly promoted by
| an agreement anon" the leading ma
| tions that no declaration of war
should be made until the submission
Of the question in controversy to an
impartial court for investigation, each
nation reserving the right to accept
or reject the decision. The prelimin-
ary investigation would in almost
every instance insure an amicablc
settlement and the reserved rights
would be sufficient protection
against any possible injustice.
Let me go step farther and ap-
peal for clearer recognition of the
dignity of labor. The odium which
rests upon the work of the hand has
exerted baneful influence the world
around. The theory that idleness is
more honorable than toil-that it is
more respectable to consume what
others have produced than to be a
producer of wealth-has not only rob-
bed society of an enormous sum, but
it has created an almost impossible
gulf between the leisure classes and
those who support them. Tolstoy is
right in asserting that most OF the
pcrplexing problems of society grow
out of the lack of sympathy between
man and man. Because some imagine
themselves above work while Others
see before them nothing but Il life of
drudgery there is a constant war
ring and much of bitterness. When
men and women become ashamed OF
doing nothing and strive to give to
society full compensation for all they
receive from society there will be
harmony between the classes.
While Europe and America have
advanced far beyond the Orient in
placing a proper estimate upon those
who work, even our nations have not
yet fully learned the lesson that en-
ployment at some useful avocation is
essential to the physical health, in
tellectual development and growth
If America and England are to meet
the requirements Of their high posi-
tions they must be prepared to pres
ent in the lives of their citizens ex.
amples, increasing in number, OF
men and women who find delight in
contributing to the welfare of thei,
fellows, and this ought not to be diff.