The Washington herald., 1915-09-22
Where do values really begino

Nnere 40 FdlucS rcally DeSn.
To find an answer must go back to the crca-
ton OF the world and to the experience of the first
human beings its surface.
There those who say that human beings
were deliberately placed here by God, first by the
creation OF Adam, then by the removal OF rib
from Adams body and the development of the
rib into woman. Eve, and then by the coming OF
Adam and Ewes offspring.
There others who say that human beings
were evolved from creatures OF the sea.
There are mutitudcs OF other theories, includ
ing the unattractive and yet popular belief that
evolved to our present state from a period when
we lived monkeys.
Perhaps it during the monkey stage,
such stage corresponding to the monkey
stage, that the creatures destined to become hui
man beings began to have intnlations regarding
the existence of values.
We know from observation that all animals
have such intimations. Some Of them have ex-
ccedngly keen ideas about values.
And from these ideas about values in animals
we trace strong feelings in regard to rights.
How often we look on while animals defend what
they consider their possessions. Sometimes they
fight furously as human beings
How interesting it would be to know the pre-
man said of thing This thing is property and
it is mine"
1t would be worth while knowing why he said
such words and on what considerations he based
his claims.
And of the greatest interest would be his rca-
sons for possessing himself of that piece OF prop
crty and declaring that his right it shut the
rights OF the rest OF the world.
Perhaps, the other hand at that early time
the rights of the rest OF the world were not con-
instincts must have been the instinct that the race
has maintained itself by self-preservation.
Perhaps it did not enter into the consciousness
Of the first human beings that any human beings
should be considered except themselves. Perhaps
each instinctvcly fought for himself.
And perhaps the realization that the earth was
common heritage, that it would be preposterous
for any any group of men to claim it all,
or to claim large share of it. was an idea that
could come only after many generations of train
ing
Very soon after the creatures destined to be-
come human developed the sense of values, this
sense must have played great part in their
growth. 1t must have led to all kinds OF complica
tions.
The moment We meet human beings in history
we find them at full tilt, attacking another,
all on account of values.
And history consists very largely of records of
these disturbances, sometimes veed righteous
war, or wars for a principle, but always with val
ues somewhere exerting a mighty influence.
Nowadays We know that there is no such thing
as a war simply and solely for ideal principle.
We know that if we only look far enough shall
find values playing part, concern for material adj
vantage.
At present we are going through readjust-
ment OF our ideas of values. We are on the verge
of a revolution, the less significant because
it does not necessarily involve bloodshed. 1t is
going to upset long established views regarding
values, and to show that many of the evils from
which we have suffered result from miscon-
ccption OF values.
Under the circumstances, surely it will pay us
to think seriously about values, to study their
meaning, to see how closely they are related to
every minute in our lives, to every human relation
that we sustain to our security, peace our
happiness, and to the welfare of the future gen.
eratons
Maybe we shall find that there are values re-
latng directly to all of us, values that. when prop
erly adjusted, will change the whole aspect of
living. ,..
We may even find that we own the earth and
that property is of less value than humanity.
Then shall look about for way of coming
into our inheritance.
Record Bsskea.
American Air Record Broken.-Headline Mr..