The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1918-11-01
A GREAT DISCOVERY

A germ out of the culture of the
ancient world, united with a germ
from out of the Humanism of the
fifteenth century, growing in the
Rationalism of the eighteenth century
produced most wonderful discovery;
viz, the discovery of Man.
This statement may be illustrated
by a consideration of the term, $50
ciety". In the Middle Ages Society"
meant two very closely allied social
classes. The nobility and the clergy
alone possessed property, and alone
ruled the people. They were also the
only educated classes; outside of their
ranks there was no culture. These
classes were identified with the nation
The history of the nation was their
history. The middle class formed no
part in the society of the Middle Ages
The Protestant Reformation gave
birth to the "Rationalism" which
spread over the entire~Western world.
This resulted in the death blow to the
exclusive application of the term $50
ciety" to clergy and nobility. 1t
found that the fine clothes of the
noble and the cassock of the priest
alike were only the covering of a
man, the same creature lurked under
the citizens coat or under the serfis
garb. The ideals of liberty, equality,
and fraternity arose and took the
world by storm. They had always
been there; Christianity more than
any other had taught them. Christ
had proclaimed them nearly two
thousand years ago. But now they
become power in public life.
The old order of things still held
good. But the midle class had come
to the knowledge of its full power.
1t became the ruler of the people. 1t
felt itself to be "The Nation" The
history of the nation was their his
tory and visa versa. The middle
class overcame the world because they
felt themselves the sole possessors of
this new intellectual principle. The
middle class became known as society
and society became known as the
middle class.
However this discovery was not to
be utilized by ten per cent Of the
people alone. Today, the greater part
of the other ninety per cent of the
people claim that the term Society"
is also applicable to themselves. Nor
are they alone in their proclamation.
Some of the greatest intellectuals Of
our day are expounding the same doc
trine. And the common people, that
great serging, heaving mass of
humanity, now feel with the clergy,
and the hobles, and the middle class
that they are the constituents Of $50
ciety." They are seeking to realize
the ideals of liberty, equality and
fraternity. There is no true democrat
but who is sympathetic toward their
efforts.
We believe that this discovery is
making for a better world; for a
better social order. But like all in
novations it has its dangers and its
perils for its possessors along with
it's advantages and its merits. The
common man is coming to his own.
The time is coming when labor will
rule the world. The only question is
how will the change be made from our
present social order to the order of
the future. Will it come with peace
and with justice to all, or will it come
with violent revolution, with war and
bloodshed? Will it preserve the
best Of the present order and build
there-upon, or will it destroy all that
we now hold dear to our hearts +?
Will the Church, will the State, will
the Family be destroyed, as is being
advocated, or will these great insti-
tutions be utilized for the further
progress Of the human race? Abso-
lutte Justice and Righteousness on the
part Of those in power as well as
those "willing to power" will insure
the advent Of better day and the
preservation of the golden heritage
of the past.
De-, Dr~x.vc