The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1914-01-02
THE DOCTRINE OF Discomfort.

THE DOCTRINE OF Discomfort.
Under the caption. Let Us Have a
Rest From Destructive Legislation. %
the. Philadelphia Ledger makes an APP
peal for sanity and stability in public
discussions and intellectual processes
OF the people at large. In view OF the
present era OF undertaking. of turbu-
lent attacks upon all established insti.
buttons, the disposition TO regard
everything that is as wrong. every
successful man as dishonest. and every
great enterprise as a fraud. the sound
and sensible words OF the Ledger are
mpecially timely and appropriate. II
says:
For more than a decade the business
and Industrial institutions OF this nation
have been subjected TO a ceaseless cross
Tire. Our established customs have been
criticised and ridiculed. our habits OF
trade excoriated as dishonorabIe and
base. our politics derided as vicious be-
yond, comparison and an immortality
written into practical American ethics
that does not exist and never has exist
ed except In the imaginations of fanati-
cal theorists. whose acquaintance with
the subjects Of which they have treated
has been as casual and immature as
their Examinations have been plausible
and deceptive.
A nation may become intoxicated with
prosperity and in the delirium OF sue
cess commit hari-kari or paralyze itg
own Initiative and vitality by a sense
less destruction OF the props which
OF the worlds trade has such devotion
ment been Witnessed as this country has
from soup houses OF 1898 to the over
flowing larders OF 1903 was little less
than a miracle.
IL - against this success that the de-
structive agents have opened the viais
OF their wrath. wherefore IL il not re-
markable that the floodgates OF their
oratOry and theory are also being pour-
ed out Ia opposition 10 our very form
OF government. for "a also stands con
victed OF momentous achievements for
the betterment OF humanity. The ruts
made in the road along which the coiof-
sat vehicle OF business Travelled have
been maRnified into dark cellars OF int
guilty. and the minor delinquencies ~
this great government. inevitable In its
forward sweep. are held up TO scorn as
indications or inherent faults In our
whole political organization.
Having failed In the main design 10
turn back the hands Of the clock, so far
n business Is concerned by imrnutabio
economic laws that could not be changed
and not having been able TO bring aborf
"a return 20 n multiplicity % iittic bust
nesses In place OF the big buainesa''
which has been the glory OF Americr.
the icOnoclasts. while sttll haraastnr
business as best they may. are inten.
now ON vital changes In the Fundamental
law. or In the statute law. that they
may better wage their campaign Of de
rtructiOn. They propose prohtbltfve
laws 90 supplement those already on tho
statute books. They wish a national
primary for the nomination OF presiden-
tial candidates. being convinced that b.
undermining the whole principle OF rep-
resentativc government and substituting
therefor an Ostenslbly pure popular gov
eminent they can raise 90 places Of nu-
thortty more demaEogues than now oc-
cury important offices. II b. n plan "a
PROSTATE Intelligence and intellectual
honesty. plan 20 apotheosize epherneral
public opinion. 20 weaken further organ
ICED authority and 90 substitute popular
license for that liberty which has been
the boast and the guarantee Of American
Institutions.
Naturally and inevitably newspa
pers and business men that talk like
the Ledger talks will be denounced
as reactionaries. standpattcrs and
creatures OF predatory wealth. The
time be fast coming. n o. has not A.