Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1908-09-03
CENT MATERIALISM.

GTrom the New Bedford StandardD
We arc told by an authority which
commands attention that the triumph
ant era Of Mckinley and Hanna, the
reign Of complement materialsm.
seems n distant memory. SO far have
tho people progressed in their thinking
and the government ~ the people in its
action" True: Mckinley and Hanna are
names OF the far past. They are father
away in some respects than Lincoln and
Grant md Hayes. 1t seems almost n this
time that the country was in the be-
ginning Of n tremendous political Discus
sion. In which the name OF Mckinley
stood as the symbol Of contest with a
mlschievous financial fa,lacy. At that
time tho form of Hanna loomed in tho
background as that Of a surprisingly ex-
pert political manipulation and mechani-
clan. working with all his might for the
d"liverance Of the nation from an I'M
pending danger but we have distinct re-
membrane Of hearing more than ono
good republican express the view that
there Is altogether too much Hanna
about this business. and none OF these
prided himself. either, ot the viHdness
Of his moral awakening. That was only
dozen years ago when pilgrimages TO
Canton to see an affahe man stand on
n front doorstep in a WRECKED front ward
and to hear him make carefully studied
speeches were hailed as an appointed
means of saving a nation. We recall
something OF tia club OF SLOUGH hated
farmers from Indiana. n procession of
women carrying red. white and blue
parasols from ne!ghboring county,
train-load Of decorous politicians from
Boston, the blare Of bands. the dancing
flags, the bored and yet proud citizens
of the town the fakir with his tray Of
souvenirs-ard on that crisp. pleasant
autumn afternoon. when the air tingled
with fervid enthusiasm. there was no
provision Of how soon that and the tri-
umpn which followed were to be n dis
TAM memory. Who knows how Guickl:'
all this will happen to tho men on
whom the popular gaze is centered to
day?
True these overwhelmingly and Han
ma. and many more who were then in
the front rank Of public attention-seem
like a distant memory; but is there
trut in the decision that the reign OF
complacent materialism is equally dis
tant? We fear that neither complacency
nor materialism. nor the combination Of
both, have easily and promptly fad
cd. This runs counter, we know to
much exalted congratulation on the
great moral awakening of the people.
1t is manifested IN what Is called tho
determination 10 safeguard the peoples
rights-a most excellent thing to do but
which In far too many cases appears to
- no., Ai,l,,
else and ignoring your own sins We
trust we are not unduly pessimistic.
but as we look out on the people of
every day In their everyday actions and
pursuits. we do not gee that the mater
ialistic spirit. accompanied by full
share OF complacencY has disappeared.
Plenty Of both can be seen in individuals,
in communities, In organizations Of all
sorts. even In religious and educational
and philanthropic enterprise and in tho
nation To he sure there IS another side.
There are men and women. self-sacrific-
Ing. devoted, trying to the full measure
OF their abilities 10 make the best OF
their opportunities and to discharge
their responsible tics but such there
have always been. We mad them-plenty
of them-even in the days OF William
Mckinley and Mark Hanna. doing their
duty faithfully and patiently and max
ing not bit of fuss about 1t. Our view
OF the matter is that II there has indeed
been great moral awakening. they
and their obscure predecessors OF many
a generation are more entitled to She
credit than n good many OF the emo
tional and hys,crical revivalists OF the
hour.