Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1913-07-29

Nothing In nature, from the human
mind to the toadstool remains still.
Absolute stiffness in anything means
death. Every age has believed itself
to have reached the acme of human
comfort and of civilization. That is,
vast majority of each age SO believ
ed. Occasionally there appeared 81
person who disagreed and who was
promptly suppressed. by ostracism,
stoning or the crucifix.
Freedom Won BY Fighting
Every apostle of freedom of thought
has had to fight, and to none in the
matter of government should this
fight appeal to more strongly than to
we in the United States. In discuss
ing the progress of governments, the
American citizen must consider the
REBELS Of 1876, who devoted their
lives and fortunes to the idea that
the old established rule of Govern.
ment BY. Divine right was essentially
wrong.
The Declaration Of independence il
a document that the civilized world
reveres. but, at a different period Of
time, so was the English charter,
wrung from King John. Both marked
epochs in history, each represented
the enlightened thought Of the time
they were written but, neither mark
ed the limitation of civilization.
The Declaration of Independence,
instead of being the Ne Plus Ultra
many then believed was but the be-
ginning of enlightment as to govern
mental forms. Ever since we have
been confronted with exigencies
undreamed of in 1776, and so will
the generations to come be called up
on to handle complex civilization in a
degree unthought Of in 1913.
Conforming with the scheme of ma
ture, we must move. In moving, the
only question is how to move right;
how to keep step with the eternal
movement of progress. To get out
Of step means death. To mark time
means stagnation, and the old planet
rolls on regardless Of the standpat-
ters or the time markers. It's a
case Of movement from the cradle to
the grave in every conceivable func-
ton Of animal and vegetable life.
Progress Means Change
It is not then to be wondered at
this, the greatest republic on earth,
with its one hundred million differ
ent minds, each struggling toward bet.
ter things in the way of government.
should. exhibit great differences as
to the best methods. Framed, as
this nation was upon the idea Of
the British system 1873 years ago:
against the opposition of thousands
Of honest conservatives Of that day.
it is not surprising that some changes
are now demanded. The Fathers Of
the country were afraid that to en-
trust the government to the people
would invite disaster. through the in
stability Of those people, and their
lineal decendents - intellectually
speaking-are as honest in that be-
lief today. The experience of more
than a century proves the fallacy Of
this fear.
The present generation is moving
more rapidly that former generations.
owing to many circumstances, and
it is not unreasonable to believe 1t
possible to remedy some Of the ac-
knowledged faults that have grown
into our governmental system, by the
adoption Of such modern methods in
government as have proceed success
full in commercial matters.
Who 10 At Fault
It requires no special information
to know that our system-like all hu-
man agencies-has not been perfect.
It is equally plain that the fault has
lain with the governed. That is.
that any and all mistakes. or worse,
of the federal government are and
have been overshadowed by the mall
administration Of state, county. muni.
cipal and other local affairs,