Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1908-04-24
What MAY Have Caused 1t.

The Orgo,,iau lately published a
pcssimistic article upon The Spread
of Anarchy. II states some facts
which 60 10 show that the present
trend Of though. and incentive is con-
sidcrahly in the line OF individuality
of action. Granting that it all be
true. We hardly think that possible
results should cloud anybody hope
of peace for at least the present gen
Grafton. 1t is a principle in nature
that relaxation shall follow undue
stimulation, that the ebb shall follow
the noW of the tide. and it seems to
hold good in about all the affairs of
life
The growth OF Philosophical An
archism, rs our big brother terms it
is, OF course, only the shadowings
cast from passing events, and in these
days of commercial supremacy and
aggregation Of wealth, it is not sur
prising that the habits of the people
should largely partake of the spirit
it is sure to develop. Half century
ago, millionaires We're rare, and there
we're probably no more than two or
three score in the country. Now
they are numbered by the thousand,
and multi-millionaires and their de-
scendants by the hundred. Can it be
thought that in this selfish world the
acquisition of such gigantic fortunes
NAV not arouse q feeling of bitter
ness among those who are compelled
to plod along for bare existence?
Is it at all surprising that this feel
ing should, in the course of time,
pass into morbid feeling of distrust
and discomfort? Is it any cause for
wonder that there should arise as a
waves crest from constant agitation
class of people who, like the NAL
contents of labor, make it business
to pass about from place to place to
ferment discord and develope feel
so nearly allied to revolt that it only
needs strength and volume to consti-
tute anarchy?
The same spirit has existed under
despotic governments, like Russia,
where the people have been SO long
ruled by fear, that revolution has not
been able to obtain a footho!d and the
latent feeling that acuates the masses
is manifested only by the explosion
of an occasional boom, that is ever
ready to change conditions. whatever
the result may be. in the hope OF
betterment. It seems due more to
the existence of an innate spirit OF
freedom than that the writings OF
Schopenhauer, are bearing fruit from
the teachings of bygone age.
The article notes the rapid develop
ment of this spirit since the Civil
war. 1t was to have been expected.
War conditions afforded the only
wanting opportunity to set in motion
the activities for rapid acquisition OF
wealth; the money power was able to
control legislation, secure liberation
of the courts and virtually control
the government, until even . Repub-
lican President has called a halt
upon the carnival of corruption.
Would it not be too much to expect
from frail humanity that decided
protest would not be made against
such conditions?
The mistake is made that there is
so much difference in the methods
suggested for relief. There are too
many parties. through only one OF
which method may be adopted for
curbing the aggressions of wealth, SO
far as our country is concerned. The
incorporation of the cardinal princi-
ples of the Democratic party into the
policies of the Administration, so
far as it can be adopted by q party
divided against itself, is the surest
indication that this serious trend to-
wards anarchy can only be diverted
by o union of ballots for protection
of individual rights, the curbing OF
trusts, and areturn to the principles
of our fOrefatherS.