Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1907-01-02
ON THE NEW THRESHOLD:
THE PAST AND THE FUTURE.


Another year has closed, and the sol
emn bells have proclaimed that 1t is
dead; and as we review. the results as
they have passed, and the great ac-
complishments, we are amazed, and
those Of us who are prone to be pessi-
mistic are dumfounded and put to rout.
The tide of prosperity has never risen
higher in our country. From sea to sea
ard from the Gulf to Canada the mighty
aoCd has swept its benignant way and
the measure of it cannot be written
down in a manner easily comprehensi-
bic. The products of the farms have
exceeded in value those of any previous
year by 1924, 600, 900, corn remaining
king at 81, 100, 900, 600, and our experts
of agricultural products have reached
the high-water mark of 1916, 900, coo.
The toilers in the T. eds and forests
and mines have experienced large re-
ward and the workman in the shop and
factory has had added unto him pros
perity that is unmatched in all the his
tory of the past. The tradesman, too,
has had ? share in the general onward
march while 1.-The captains of industry
have garnered hary est beyond compu-
tation. The railroads have prospered
beyond measure, reporting increased
earnings and higher dividends. And the
trusts have fiOurished, too, and have
gobbled each other up in way that
was furious, and the concentration OF
capital has gone forward in spite of rate
laws, rebate prosecutions, jungle books
and the hundreds of other mighty forces
of opposition. But the results of these
forces have not been wasted and the
harvest is soon TO be gathered in the
form of larger and better control by
the people.
By the strong hand of President Roos-
evelt our government has been made
better ard public opinion and the ear
nest thought of the best of our people
have helped to restore the old idea that
the marty ed Lincoln proclaimed, "a
government. of the people By the peo-
pie and for the people
In the old world, too, a mighty pro
gress has marked the late year; espe-
cially in England, where the liberal par
ty has come into control of the govern
ment and established a better order of
things. Russia has tried tc raise its
head above the clouds and Germany has
had a measure of prosperity that Is
gratifying to the people. The Orient
has awakened as never before and the
hope of better conditions has arisen to
the proportions of flood tide.
But with the benefits that have come,
especially in our great and beloved
country, there have also been causes
for serious thought and prayerful con-
sideration. In the working out of new
ideas new problems have been present
ed for solution, and they must not be
lightly considered. The highest wisdom
and the most cautious deliberation must
be given them if the results are to be
for the uulift and betterment of the
world But in these things, as well as
in all others to which our people turn,
there is no thought of failure. Strong
men and true are at the fore and it is a
notable fact that in this, the most pros
porous year of our history, the achieve
ments for better government have been
of greater moment to the common peO-
pie than have been the achievements Of
any previous ye2r in recent times.
But amid all this prosperity and
world-growth and civic progress there
has been the darker side. The forces
of nature have been nightly at work
and devastation and death have follow
ed to an extent that is appaling. Earth
quake and volcanic eruption and confia
grafton and food have wrought havoc
that is almost incomprehensible while
the seas have not ceased to demand a
sacrifice that sickens the heart in its
contemplation. Death, too, has not
ceased its cruel mission, and many of
our noblest and best have been called
to their reward. For these we pause to
give them honor and to command that
their names be written on the scroll of
history, that in years to come we may
not forget them and at fitting times
pay to their memories the honor that is
due
And now, standing upon the thresh-
old Of a new year, let us not be unmind-
fiji "a the past Let u gather from its
history the lessons that will guide US
along the higher and better way. Let
it teach US that truth and justice and
honor are the stepping stones to true
greatness and that faith and hope and
charity are the greatest of virtues,
the greatest of these is charity" that
out OF the past we must gather the
strength for the future, and when we
pause let Us rest with open minds for
The clock stikea one.
We take no note Of time but as It flies,
To Rive il then a tongue Is Wise in man.