The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1915-01-07
REALITIES AND SENTIMENT.

Science wears an air OF lOftlneSS. knOWl- |
edge lifts its head disdainfully and scarcely
to debate with untaught as
To undissected traditions it
yields no intellectual rights; only pity and
the prudence of temporary silence in fac
ing weight of physical numbers. Science
rules the mental dominion. Business, the
treatment of disease, the food of our bodies
and all the common habits of life ask per-
mission before they adopt rules of conduct
The age has passed from respect for science
to Worship; in fact, if we count back a
thousand years, we have passed from dis
respect to alteration.
Science has not stopped at the confines
of Europe and America. 1t has passed on
to the venerable civilizations of Asia, shat
tered the ll-sufficiency of ancient moral
PHILOSOPHERS, re-created Japan, quickened
the stagnant thought of China and touched
the millions of India with aspirations which
may crowd out the mystic sway of the
spirit of democracy. 1.-THE railroad is
democratic, the electric current is republic
can, steam works for the freedom of man."
Science challenges all tyranny butts own;
mel of realistic inquiry; strikes at all fet-
tiers but those which fasten its movements
to the visible universe.
Science has earned it's triumph. The
fight has been heroic, patient, painstaking,
resolute. Through blood, danger, fatigue
and SANDER it has led the human mind un
til in fifty years the world has learned more
of truth available for the improvement Of
mans stay on earth than was known in the
thousands of years between the dawn of
creation and the Middle Ages. If science
is naughty in our generation, it is also
humble. With small share in the luxu-
rious rewards of wealth, it is content to
serve silently in the study and the labora-
tory, slowly extracting truth from refrac-
tory nature and gladly giving forth its
knowledge to the common stock. No re-
spect bestowed upon its claims is unde-
served, no honcrs too generous.
Plain truth-teling is what science pro-
fesses to demand; practical recognition of
facts, cultivation of realities, readiness to
face fully and courageously every situa-
tion as it develops. "Unreality,'' it says,
sis worse than dishonesty" There can
be no sound judgment with unreality, as
there can be no sound business when the
director cannot, day by day, know his SOL
vency by testing it with realities, the I'M
pleasant with the pleasant. Certainties
are the only safe advisers; not 1attering
words or swollen hopes or nervous fears.
Experience, research and proof; vision,
revision and then eternal, stern, implaca-
BILE vigilance. Such service science de-
mands of it's votaries, whether they would
throw steel rails and cantilever bridges
across continent or find the cause Of a
sarcomic cancers growth.
In this modern passion for realities there
is so much of nobility, so much of unset
fishness, SO much of benefit to humanity
that the appreciative mind hesitates tc
backon away any of the admiring devotion
by which it is encouraged. Why should il
not be stimulated to pursue its activities
until it possesses the earth? Because uni
versal domain is not within its power
Rationalism and realities cannot occupy
the whole of the world because the worlo
cause the soul must be nourished with
other nutriment. Science would become &
phantom if another energy did not drive i
forward, with fleeting thoughts be thrill
ed of something higher Without thu
sentiment of freedom science would no
strive, would "drop from, her nerveles
grasp the shattered spear, close her brigh
eye and curb her high career" Withou
sentiment deeper than the realities of in
tellectual proof man could not hail will
faster heartbeat or feel the "tear watering
the resolve' when thinking of home ant
country.
Man stops his striving unless there is
''star before the darkened soul, to guild
and gladden. and control" Rationalisn
inclines always to ask "cui bono?" TIL
sardonic smile comes easily to its lips.
sentiment disappeared the rationalis
would question love, faith and loyalty, an
sooner or later resemble bunco- steerer
preying on the weaknesses of mankind
ultimately he would descend into the saw
age state, for nothing would be enoug
worth while to evoke risk or labor. Reali
ties cannot rest upon themselves. Not