Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1913-09-11
A MONUMENT TO THE FUTURE.


MONUMENT TO rHE FUTURE.
If a foreigner about to visit America
should ask what sight in the rev
world is most worth seeing. the reply
ought to be The Panama Canal" Tho
replies actually given under such ciroum-
stances would doubtless range over a
wide field Niagara, the Grand Canon
and the yosemite would come in for their
share of praise. Historic scenes from
Bunker Hill to Gettysburg would be
brought to mind. New York city
with It's mountaln-like structures Of |,
concrete and steel would be spoken
of with zest. Our own historic lake
ward by eager admirers. But the thing |
most humanity significant and therefore
most pregnant with interest and value to
mankind is the great waterway with which !
this nation has Joined the worlds two
oceans.
Great natural curiosities waken our
mlnuS 10 the wonder OF created tnlnBS
and speak to us of the prehistoric
ages of the earth and mighty events
which were happening before man ap-
peared upon the earth. Aside from
their grandeur and the beauty which so
often is dscernible in them, they play
a useful part in arousing the magma
tons of men and showing man his place
in a way and with a perspective that
diminishes his pride. They are among
the greatest of the contributions of the
past.
Historic scenes bring home lessons Of
the past in a vivid manner, and also help
us to realize how men and institutions
came to be what they are. Their value
to the men Of each succeeding generation
can hardly be exaggerated. This big
world can not crowd itself into the events
and excitements Of a single generation.
Even what we confidently term the pres
ent is all a growth and development
with its roots deep in what has gone be-
fore. The world is full Of reminders of
the past. and we are fortunate that this
s. SO.
"" build monuments to the past and
make the most Of the relics which come
down &c Us. We arc surprisingly rich IN
those things but In another kind of monu.
u,ent and reminder, we sre poor. Who
eve, heard Of erecting g. monument 20 .he
future: How many reminders Of the
future are there among our great nights
ane scenes? Great critics. give US hints
and inklings of the futu-e, but their
message II mostly the s.rideut, busy mes
cage Of the present. AL GUY hopes plans
and fortunes lie IN the future, and yet
there is very little 20 make ,Is think Of it.
Somewhere there must be an altar to this
unknown god. and that altar must be Of
right tho Mecca OF the civilized world
For centuries mon hobb.,c along bound
py the past AMI restricted by the pres
emit. They derived their wisdom and
rules of conduct from the past, and
found thai, pleasures and satisfnctions
IN the present. Within very recent years
a new method OF thinking. which we cali
scientific. has given us an Implement for
the exploration of space and time and
with II new confidence and range Of
farce of tho law Of cause and effect has
opened whole aeons of the past to our
Wow, and has given us q new assurance
and eagerness In regard to the future. By
the deductive trick OF mind we have been
given a new interest and understanding
of what lies ahead. That Is why we hear
eugencs and world peace, things which
cannot possibly effect our own time.
The stupendous significance and import
ance OF the Panama canal is duo to the
fact that 1t Ia beyond all other sights and
scenes, n monument TO the future, Its
whole worth and significance dates not
backward but forward. 1t will make the
future and the future will make It. TO
the businessman who forecasts correctly
it's effect upon the trade currents OF the
world, will come untold wealth. To the
statesman who can read Alright It's effect
upoi politics and the relations Of M
! 4.ons will come power and an uptading
name TO the poet Who can tell the re-