Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-10-03
ARE WE REALLY PROGREsSIyEs.

(From the st. Johnsbury CALIFORNIAN,
Many people like TO call themselves
progressives and claim they are tho apos-
ties Of good government. They clamor for
the installation OF good men in public
once and seem to think they are repre-
senting a new condition, that they are
the most modern and really progressive
thing in citizenship. Not only to these but
to citizens generally the following ex-
cerpts from description Of the National
Assembly of the Franks under the reign
of Charlemagne written before the year
s26 by Hncmar the celebrated archbishop
of Rheims will prove interesting and
instructive. He says It was the custom
tC hold two assemblies each year attend
cd by all the great men OF the kingdom,
the more influential and less influential.
each class having a certain part to per-
form. He says:
With regard to the councillors. both
lay and eccesiastic, care was taken, as
far as possible, to select such persons
as from their condition and duties, were
filled with the fear Of God. and animated.
moreover. by unalterabl fidelity. so as TO
consider nothing superior to the interests
Of the king and kingdom. except eternal
life Men were sought who could be turn
ed aside from the path Of duty neither
by friends. nor enemies. nor relations, nor
gifts. nor batteries. nor reproaches men
were sought who were wise and skillful
not with sophistical skill and worldly wis
dom which are so opposed to Gods will,
but with just and true wisdom that
might enable them not only to repress,
hut also fully to confound the men who
place all their reliance In the tricks and
stratagems OF human policy"
Certainly 1t can not be claimed that the
services OF a better class OF men are
demanded to-day than that described
above.
AS to the other officers Of the palace,
Il there were any one who first by gain
Ing instruction. and afterwards by giving
advice. proved himself capable OF honour
ably occupying the place OF one OF these
councillors, or fit to become one. he re-
ceived orders to attend the meetings, CIV
Ing he greatest attention TO the matters
discussed thereat, correcting his erron-
eo,n IDEAS. learning that OF which he
was ignorant, and retaining in his mem-
DRY that which had been ordained and de-
termined."
we Know or no better advice to the
lawmakers of 1912 than first gaining in
struction and afterwards giving advice
and giving attention to matters discussed
giving attention to matters discussed to
correct his erroneous ideas and learning
that of which ne was ignorant.
As to the councillors whom I first
mentioned. they were careful. when sum-
moned to the palace, not to occupy
themselves with private affairs. or with
disputes which might have arisen with
regard to the possession Of property or
the application Of the law. until they had
arranged, with tho help OF God. every
thing that concerned the king and king
dom In general
II our progressive and other law max
ers will follow the same plan at Mont
pelier this fall the session can be ad-
)ourned by Thanksgiving with Its work
well done. These excellent Ideas in prac-
tice In SS must convince oven the smart
est ana most progress OF us that there
Is nothing new under the sun and
tfat they will have served well II they
live up to the ideals that are over 1000
years of age.