Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-08-09
Sunday Morning Talk.
Social Currents and Cross Currents.

Social Currents and Cross Currents.
Better fifty years of Europe than
cycle of Cathay." So sang Tennyson
number of years ago, and had the lau
reate lived until today and kept himself
apprised not only of conditions in Europe
and America, but in the orient he might
have had to modify his comparison con-
siderably since even in China-the poets
Cathay-things are moving. And go where
one may he can hardly keep out of the
currents and cross currents of popular
sentiment and purpose. The world is
waking up. 1t is good to be alive and to
look on-still better to have part, if need
be- in shaping the new social structure
that is silently but surely rising.
But let us keep reasonably cool. In the
din of great political conventions. in the
vigorous utterances of free and appar-
emily irresponsible press, confusion arises.
1t may seem as II long established insti-
tutions were being swept from their moor
ings. and as if social and industrial
revolution We're at hand; but noise is no
criterion of the fundamental strength of
a cause and crowds cannot do the think
ing for the individual. The hope of this
country lies in the fact that great Deal
of thinking is going on among the plain
people, in the homes of the rich and the
poor alike, in the shop and in the fac-
tory, in the mine and on the farm. 1t
is thought, and especially the sober sec
ond thought, that proves the efficient
force in the progress of mankind.
We must also inform ourselves regard
ing the thoughts and purposes of others.
especially those with whom temperament
ally and by conviction we are not likely
NJ Snc1OlOQ1cAl
ference the other day al which out-and-
out socialists. leaders in the trades union
movement parsons. captains or industry,
editors. college graduates, authors and
many other persons representing totally
different points of view said their say
frankly and fearlessly.
At first IL seemed from such diamet-
rically opposite views no harmony could
together three days talking in public and
private with one another a recognition
Of the underlying sincerity and high
mindedness of the "other fellow TOOK
possession of all. and the result was
platform of principles having a decided
ly forward look was agreed to by every
delegate. Some of us need to get free
from our provincialism, to read books
and to listen to speakers that set forth
opinions which We may now think I'M
sound or even dangerous. Once an an
archist was haranguing the crowds In
Hyde Park. London. He took occasion to
denounce Queen Victoria. bystander
went in Indignation to policeman and
asked him why he did not arrest the
speaker. Oh said the unimpassioned
bobby LET i'm talk 1t does i'm good
and il doesn't 'urt 'er." There are proper
limits to free speech. it is true, but in
order wisely to combat the agitator we
must find out exactly how he feels or how
he thinks he feels.
This universal social unrest may alarm
those who see no divine purpose in the
history OF the race; but 1t ought not to
alarm the Christian. for he knows that his
religion is meant to produce a ferment,
to cause excitement and agitation until
wrongs are righted and abuses over
drawn. There is no labor problem for
people in the darkest parts of the dark
continent to which Christianity has never
gone with its message regarding the dig
nity of man and with its inspiration to
decent and honorable living. We may de-
plore excuses or extravagances in this or
that direction. We may look upon the
plans Of socialists as nothing but dreams;
but we cannot ignore the great social
movement of our time. 1t is a waymark
in human progress, a milestone in the
forward march of the race. 1t means
that things are going to be better for all
classes of men in all parts of the world.
And yet keep cool. 1 say once more.
Not everything is going by the board
the right to ones property. or to what
one has inherited. TO the home and its
sweet solaces and intimate friendships,
to the church and the other stable insti-
tutions of society. Great changes may be
coming in our political and Industrial
framework: but some things are sure TO
abide-the things most worth while, the
things most essential to our peace apd
efficiency. The PAHSON.