Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1911-08-25
FRIDAY, AUGUST 25, 1911.

The incidents that constitute public
affairs follow each other so quickly In
this strenuous age that it will be ex-
ceedingly difficult for writers to give an
historical account of the purpose of the
people, as body polite.
The history that is being made today
in the New World and the Old, will
probably give rise to an assertion that
this was au era of confusion. They who
will tell the story of our times will note
that though there were men capable OF
leadership equal to that which brought
to pass the great singular events that
dignifed the history of old times (ow-
ing to the excessive opportunism OF the
many of our professional politicians) no
grand events could be credited to those
doing the most toward contamination
In fact the state of things forseen by
George Washington has been attained.
In each of the two principal parties
there are besides the several men, able
and willing to realize worthy ideals in
craftsmanship, too many Others who fail
to see that it is greater achievement
to be a good follower than to be
"dressed in a little brief authority, at
the head of faction whose chief
achievement is hindrance to the making
of one or more events creditable to all
of the sovereign people.
President Taft's capability to lead the
several organizations who would substi'
tute reason and law for pride, passion
and slaughter, has been needlessly be-
Titled. In place OF an event there are
only several unimportant incidents, dis
tiuguishiug in way, several men. The
real leaders know that the proposed
amendment to the arbitration treaties
approved by the seasoned statesmen
who offered the measure to the Senate
would easily admit of notification of the
purpose. By all rights, the greatest
treaty that has yet been partly realized,
should be credited to the Taft admins
tralion. 1t is doubtful if really etfec-
tive treaty of unlimited arbitration
which would lose nothing by contrast
with stupendous deeds in warfare, car
be consummated, at this the appointed
time of action. There never will be {
time when policies regarding the fa
East show so great need of effective
restraint such as is proposed by thu
hard headed statesmen who have at
tanned agreement, and approval OF {
great host in each nation. Senator
have legal right to offer objections
and have also legal right to insist up
on having their say as to any singh
dispute that may arise through poicie
in the far East, but all that does no
alter the fact that all such objection
fall far short of grand action tina
would accredit the nation with at leas
one we'll defined purpose. In matter
concerning our magnificent industria
system, there is to be seen the same or
portunism hindering the fullest measur
of achievement. On the one hand Their
is vigorous prosecution of big bus
ness corporations, on the other deman
for permanent national policy insul
ing stability of business conditions
Can that necessary purpose be realize
this age?
Look where you will and you will fin
in the business of church and state th
same lack of unity of purpose. Nothin
could be farther from the truth tina
the assertion that the doings of this az
denote a triumph of democratic priu
ciples To whistle conservatism dow
the wind could be part of mighty pun
pose to regenerate social conditions, bu
we shall not live to see the more import
ant part of the purpose I'VE can only Sc
in present agitation and proposed re
forms so many confusing incident
instead of an event, or even consisten
purpose to attain to one. This is
phase in the national life of peoples GU
of which most anything may come.
Some time in the far future whe
education has opened the eyes of all Q
the people so that they will see tina
greatness and pure lasting satisfaction
is gained through subordination of pei
sonal ambition to some one or NOR
we'll defined purposes, institutng event
commensurate to the means of th
great peoples, AS things 60 now ther
is great waste of energy in the line {
cross purposes. This is not necessaril
an unpromising state of affairs, in fa'
but for the aspiration of humanity towar
true philosophy it might we'll be said
p be neither promising nor unpromisin
of events that 60 to the making of il
teresting history.