Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1908-01-10
Is THE REPUBLIC PERIsHlNe7

IS THE REPUBLIC PERIsHlNG?
This Question Is Asked by Mrs. John
A. Logan-Let Us Consider.
God has plenty of time. ."-Tolstoi.
What more beautiful answer could
have been given by the venerable nov
elist than the above to Ismailoff, who
was bemoaning that the time of bet
terment is ST. far off," in reply to Tol.
stoi's prediction that the present trou-
bles will end only when society I'M
prOves?"
Never mind" cried Tolstoi, God
has plenty of time!"
This evidence OF the simple faith in
the all-wise Ruler of the destiny of
nations reaches the sublime, and
proves from whence Tolstoi has de-
rived the wonderful inspiration which
has enabled him to write such power
full stories. many of which have given
to the world an insight into the real
life of his countrymen He has suf-
fered accommodation and all the
horrors Of isolation end other unspeak-
:ble misfortunes. and yot, sustained by
his faith In the Deity, he has continued
his wonderful work until he has al
most reached the great age of four
score years.
Every phase of human woe has at
fiicted his country. His Government
hiss been from time to time In danger
Of being over thrown through the most
diabOlical conspiracies that have ever
been conceived by men, yet he is op-
timistie as to the future of Russia.
Judging from the almost daily re-
ports of atrocities committed in Rus
sia. one would think the destiny of the
great empire was hopeless. II, as Toll
stoi says. 1T is the inevitable result of
leading the wrong life, may not the
United States take warning IS to what
may be the consequences of the wrong
lifo all too many In this fair land OF
our are leading?
That avarice, discomfort. revolution,
injustice, greed and cons piracies are
rapidly destroying republicanism in
the Republic of Amreica there is no
disputing. Should not the constitu-
tior.,l authorities take imme diate steps
to force = return to the simpler life
Of all Of the people? There were jNst
as many problems ii solve in the
earlier years of the building OF the
nation as now. but there was no con-
flict OF authority. because there was
no attempt at usurpation of powers
hot guaranteed by the constitution.
II We would retain our place as
great humanitarian. progressive and
once the fragrant evils that have crept
into the body polite and which are to-
day In almost supreme control. while
rightful authority sits idly by and sees
the work of destruction steadily going
on.
Is there no way to put down the
wrong cnd install the right? Must
"the government OF the people. by the
people and for the people" perish from
the earth? Or is there ground for
such faith mad hope as expressed by
Tolstoi for his country. notwithstand-
ing the far greater trials through
which the Russian people have passed
on account of the tyranny and persc-
cution possible under thcir imperial
form of government?
For centuries before the independ-
ence Of America, the yoke OF apprcs-
zion was laid heavy upon the people
Of Russia. Imperial TYRANNY has in
creased as the years have multiplied.
and. still loyal, Tolstoi believes tkat
their present troubles will end when
society improves. Albeit there are
today more angry minds. more revo-
lutionary citizens than ever" He
thinks these ordeals may be necessary
as les sons to mankind to teach them
how to live.
1t is not impossible that the people
of our own country will have to learn
how to live right through like expert
enes of anarchy. revolution. despotism
OF wealth. mob violence. conspiracy
and the manifold evils which threaten
tho perpetuity of the Republic. May
the powers that we have the same
faith as Tolstoi has in God who has
plenty Of time" to right :ll wrongs
that may come to mankind through
|unrighteous rulers or maladministra-
tion of governments.