Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1907-06-14
peering Into The Future

Peering Into The Future
Justice Brewer, United States SUI
preme court, in an interview in the
New York World: l wish the next
fifty years were before me that l might
witness and participate in the events,
for the coming half century is to be a
marvellous period in history. Great
inventions will be made, remarkable
discoveries will be bought to light,
civilization will advance, humanity
will progress, and / believe that our
nation will approach nearer the bless
ings Of peace, OF comfort and OF happi-
ness.
i am getting to be an old man.
Very soon I shall have reached 10
years, when l could retire and drop
out of all the activities of the world,
to live in quiet and seclusion. But l
am too much interested in the things
that are going on-too young in spirit.
l look ahead withhope, with optimism,
with faith in the happy future of our
country. 1t is said that optimism Is
a quality OF youth, not Of old age.
Ii that be true, then I am, indeed,
young and can look with confidence
at the years to come.
Some years ago Lord Kelvin, that
master mind of British science. re-
marked to my uncle, the late Henry
Field-I cannot quote his exact words,
but the substance of them was this;
"Great as have been the discoveries of
the past fifty years, those that are
coming will make the next half CEN
fury as far ahead Of the last as 1t was
in advance Of the previous period.
We are on the brink of discoveries
greater than have been dreamed Of,
and of highest Importance to man
kind"
/ am not a scientist, like Lord Kel-
vim. know little about inventions
and discoveries. But already | can
see the forerunners for some Of the
maryels that are In store for US.
What a weird thing is wireless teleg-
raphy, sending u messages myster-
lousiy over the sea! The airship
seems to be a practical possibility OF
the near future. The telegraph and
the Telephone already have enabled
us to accomplish a valuable saving of
time. Think what it means this one
thing of saving time, In our human
existence. 1t gives us more opportun-
ity to think, to study, to work, to &C
cumulate wealth, to carry on trade
and commerce, and more time also to
devote to helping others and promot-
ing peace and happiness in the world.
The merchant Of the past was con-
fined principally to his isolated COM
munity. The merchant of the future
may deal with the whole world, reach
ing out into every country, buying,
selling, trading In far away lands,
carrying on enormous transactions
that could not be undertaken but for
the inventions Of science that save
his time at home and bring the other
side OF the world instantaneously to
his door.
We have millionaires today and bill
ionaires tomorrow. Perhapes we shall
have trillionaires next. Let us have
them If their wealth is used for In
creasing the welfare and the happi.
ness Of humanity. ! do not view with
alarm the accumulation of wealth, be.
cause l believe that the spirit Of hu.
manity and the sence Of responsible
ity Is growing among us.
The greatest hope for the future OF
the American nation is the develop
ment OF its conscience. Some people
say that religion is on the decline and
point to the half empty churches.
But / hold to the contrary. My views
may not be very good theology, yet ]
think the spirit Of religion is growing
stronger-the religion OF the golden
rule and the Good Samaritan. 1t Is
the development of these two princi-
pies among the people that will hell
remedy our evils, prevent the misuses
OF wealth and contribute to the check
ing Of that abuse OF corporate power
of which there is so much complaint
i look forward to the day when every
man. woman and child in these Unit
ed States shall have the blessings o.
physical comfort, the happiness Of
plenty; when these shall be no dire
poverty and want; when suffering shall
L I----l EM IL. 49,