Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1910-08-20

understand why adversely should sud
denly come upon q whole nation. The
simple truth is the people reach the
limit In ofense of fixed principles, and
the innocent suffer with the guilty.
There Is no leveler equal to adversely;
and so adversely comes along, at in
tervals, to disclose to men their weak
nesses and to give them a start again
In a better way.
Old men are more likely to be safe
advisers than young men, but when
the pace Is rapid the advice Of old
men is not likely to be listened to with
patience. 1t Is said they live in the
past n that they are not in touch
with the life OF the present. But there
is something to be said in behalf Of the
old men still in possession of their
faculties. They have lived long enough
to know that very much of history goes
around in a circle, m that about the
most that car be expected is that the
history will gradually increase its
orbit. They have bearings out of ex-
p%erience that the young men have yet
to acquire. The old men are likely, If
they have improved their opportunity,
to be conservative. They do not jump
at conclusions. They are not led way
by enthusiasm. In business they sup
ply wholesome check, and in public
affairs they warn the dreamers against
rash experiment. Moreover, the old
men are the better qualified to detect
false pretense, and this they are quail
fed to do out of their larger expert
ence..
There is no teacher so efficient as
experience. The old men have been
long at school, and 1t seems that many
of them are called upon to quit this
life at a time when they are equipped
to be most useful. The value of ex-
%perience is recognized in every branch
OF industry, and in every department Of
trade and commerce.. An important
part of the capital of men, whatever
their age, is in experience.
In all competition the young men
outnumber the old men, and the young
men have many advantages in the
fierce contest for the best places on
endurance. They can do more with
their hands and cover more ground
with their feet. If the old men are
dependent they are likely to fare poor
|ly in the distribution. They may re-
ceive commiseration without much
consideration. There Is q good deal
of pathos in association with old age.
One OF the fruits OF advancing civ
ilization is increasing Difference to the
aged. Charity OF best is tickle. but
respectable people stricken in years
may now be certain of a home. That
alone Is sufficient proof that the world
has improved In character.
Whatever the hope of the future
of any people the inspiration for it
must come from the past. The men
who have lived long and have served
well are guides and prophets for the
present. Conduct must be squared to
the ideals followed by men long since
gathered to the fathers. The men
who have done most for the world,
ceasing not to the enc of their days,
are the men who are praised most
long after death.
But there is no wisdom of the past,
no sacrifice Of the past, no service rem
dered in the past that can serve as
redemption for the present. Out Of the
night Of time men know that one
struggle has succeeded another and
out OF their knowledge OF their w
brief time they know that one strug-
gle has succeeded another. The need
is for men good and true to take the
place of men who have done what they
could.
Nov Joshua was old and stricken
in years: and the Lore said unto him,
Thou art old and stricken in years.
and there remaineth yet very much
land to be possessed"