The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-07-26

new tool OF power was thus in the hands OF
the men of that and future generations. 1t in
creased the working speed MANIFOLD and thus
brought in a period characterized by greater
leisure for the cultivation of those elements OF
civilization not directly connected with obtain
ing food supply Men then entered upon the
present stage OF civilization. the highest TO
which he has yet attained.
II, now. We consider the means of progress
we have mentioned. find no power in
them through which they could have been the
ilnpelling causes of human progress. They un
doubtedly operated by way OF releasing the
activity OF man. We must assume. then. that
there was a power of development inherent in
human nature and that these inventions and
discoveries merely released that power into
activity. That appears to be the teaching Of
the whole Of human progress. 1t is illustrated
also in the development of the individual.
These considerations make it clear that We
shall have a fundamental understanding OF
progress only when we take into account the
intellectual and moral and spiritual forces
which are releaced or developed from age TO age.
Looking at the matter thus we see strong
grounds OF optimism as to the prospect OF
further development. Never before in the his
tory OF the world has there been so much ANAL
gamation OF peoples as at the present time; and
consequently there has never before been such
opportunity for reuniting the potentialities
which have developed along divergent lines.
There is greater facility of travel; OF
communication have incea sed to a remarkable
extent; and nations and peoples begin TO
hibit spirit OF cosmopolitanism. so that the
Feeling OF the world citizenship is coming to
play eefTcte part in the affairs of commerce
and government. There is growing up also a
demand for universal language TO facilitate
intercourse; but what this will result in one
cannot at present predict with confidence
ii we look at those general elements which
have characterized the principal stages of de-
velopment--those, namely, OF savagery. barbar
ism and civilization proper-we shall find that
they marked off by certain leading con.
quests.
Thus, throughout all progress until the time
OF the last generation, it has been true that the
conquests OF men have been over things in
the large.
There is strong reason TO believe that we
are now entering upon stage of progress
brought on by the mastery of things in the
small. shall indicate briefly some of those
over which we are now gaining such control
We are no longer content study electricity
in the large; we nave chased it down TO the
electron and probably even to the sub-eectrop
into its phenomena We have studied the vari.
GUS rays. visible and invisible. which are pro-
duced by the discharge OF electric PARTICLES;
and by means OF them have learned to
photograph the bony framework and even the
soft organs of the living human body. Here
have begun a conquest which we hope to
carry 10 many fundamental results
Ordinary matter also is yielding up TO us a
profound secret than we have ever be.
fore brought TO light. This began with the
study CT emana tions from radium and has been
continued with number Of other substances.
furthermore. We have been able to strike off