The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1908-11-20

Y
tives. Bound by no party pledges,
influenced by no popular clamor
they met with one avowed purpose
to study broadly and dispassionately,
the conservation of our natural re-
sources. Unlimited good will result
from their discussions though they
framed no statutes, had power to rem
der no judicial decisions. The con-
ference was. In part, a recognition OF
the fact that a great awakening
among all sorts and conditions OF
men, must precede the enactment OF
satisfactory laws, that the most ef-
fective factor in securing the passage
OF remedial and beneficial legislation
is to have thousands OF people think
ing about reforms and demanding
them, that undulying and preceding
every act of law making body
should be long course In uncon-
scious training Of the general public.
With no immediate results but as a
means to an end, the House of Gov
errors marks departure from beat
en- paths, and deserves perpetuation.
The possible achievements outlined
at Washington may take years for
fulfillment. There is a voiceless ap-
peal in circumstances and conditions
themselves to the individual honest
citizenship throughout the country
for service from every one of us that
may hasten the time, not only for
these measures, that insure material
prosperity, but for others that prom
Use civic betterment. Public senti-
ment must be shaped. In some great
mind an idea is born that is his gift
to the world. From the one small
circle where 1t is impaired, it travels
in waves, with ever increasing ra-
dius. Mirrored in the experience of
some, it is echoed, abhorrent to the
minds of the conservative. Anything
new and changed is rejected, but
the thinking minority, receptive, in
vestigating, weighing, reduces it to
terms ineligible to the apathetic
majority, and the idea of the dreamer
becomes an accepted reality. Where
do we belong? In that working
minority, or in the unconcerned ma
jority.' What mental conflicts, what
objections offered and overcome,
precede the triumph of any cause.
No reward for service. no hope of
must animate us if we
do our best work, but only the high
demand for better things.
Sooner or later and the sooner the
better, each of us fashions for him
self philosophy of living. Asks
and answers the questions, Why are
we here, and What are the ultimate
purposes of life. One of the ma
.ional weeklies says most frequent
appeal of our times is what can we
10 to make ourselves useful in pres
INT day civilization? 1t offers this
ldvice: Concentrate our attention up
IN our duties as citizens rather than
lpon our interests as individuals.
rhe. citizen must be taught, says an
English essayist, to think of himself |
lot as an isolated individual with |
private interest of his own, but as a |
factor in a general plan,
With altruistic duties devolving upon
lin, not to be neglected. Do we ever
urn aside from this busy work-a-day
World of ours and ask If in any way,
We are lending ourselves to things of
he future, as well as of our own
ime? The days go over our heads.
ZACH hour slips by unnoticed. The
rdinary round of our daily avoca-
ons, the innumerable small con-
erns, relatively so insignificant, but
coming large in our own self inn
ortance, occupy us chiefly. II we
asy ourselves with these things and
Tiers like them, only with material /,
cquisition and the qualification of
MYSTICAL tastes, we shall die without
yer having really lived. 1t isn't the
nds we buy, the clothes we wear,
le houses we build. that are Of any
al or vital concern.
Can we never reach that state Of I
ind, where we see the world OF ma !
rial forms about us, world Of un-
alities-fleeting, evanescent, ephe-
eral, where today is important not
ly for the possibilities it may hold,
t also as a link between yesterday !,
d tomorrow, when we realize that !
t self ACKNOWLEDGMENT, nor swollen !,
tunes, nor ease,. nor luxuries Of !.
bring happiness. Happi-
IS is not commodity to be bar :,
ed for in the open markets. We do !.
{ tie 1t up in parcels. nor carry n -