The Logan Republican. [volume] (Logan, Utah) 1902-1924, 1916-12-23
A COuntry's
Condition.

SOttuIhhOhs
Deeper than the arguments men
use in contention run the forces
that move them. This is true in
the collective as in the individual
life. We pass through great poll
teal campaigns in Juror of debate
over issues that are in themselves
OF far less moment than the issues
which, though not formulated, con-
troll our decision.
The campaign which has just clos
ed illustrates this curious law of
mans nature exceptionally well.
There were indeed grave practical
differences OF policy, but they were
neither wide nor deep. The real
struggle lay beneath the turmoil of
our common arguments and rose on
ly now and then to the surface.
Mexican relations, tariff making, eX-
tent of preparedness, the spoils sys-
tenn versus civil service, executive
efficiency offered us concrete issues
for debate and practical considera-
lions for future action of Importance
to our safety and prosperity. But
in a very real sense they We're mere
ly symbols OF a profound opposition
which we did not formulate.
This opposition is in the nature
of man and in the life of all advan-
ced peoples Roughly we may de-
scribe il as the opposition between
the masculine and the feminine CON
ceptions Of existence. We have this
instinctively expressed in the pet
words and phrases of Mr.. Wilson.
poses OF peace" who is passionate"
-verbally-abo so many things.
We have it I'm the sentimental stress
upon the mere materials pains of
war. and in the main appeal of the
Wilsonian campaign to the anxious
tenderness of women. He kept us
out of war" was directed at the in
stlnct which cherishes, which hords
and cllngs to what is dear The
whole Wilsonian philosophy is one
of avoidance of danger, though it
offers itself in a splendor of remote
aspiration. II points to shining peaks
but does not risk climbing. 1t
tempts us with a world of endless
peace, of unmixed sweetness
This is by no means a superficial
question of sex. Men shrink and
women dare. We know there is
much OF man in women and much
OF woman in men. But there is
this great opposition between the
conception Of life as Affirmative eX-
perience and that which represents
a happy valley OF perpetual sunshine
and IL Is the masculine of positive
impulse which would make life an
adventure, daring, expansive, seek
ing the strong savors of existence.
the pains and perils of costly ach-
ievemcnt. building or breaking to
build again,
Nations in their lives swing from
one conception to the other. Some
times they swing too far. They have
their epochs Of expansion and their
epochs Of contraction, their day of
strength and growth. their age of
Elizabeth of Pericles, and their age
OF withdrawal. OF anxious conserva-
ton OF peace at any cost.
The circumstances of our earlier
national life were all virile. For two
generations conditions have been re-
versed. We have had virtually UNI
broken peace, uninterrupted accum-
ulation of wealth, swiftly increasing
luxury. Never in the history of ma
lions have such conditions resulted
In anything but an Determination of
peoples. We, too, have grown soft
and cautious, relaxed, and self-in-
dulgent Progress comes by striv-
ing and suffering. strength never
grew on a scented pillow These