The weekly messenger., 1918-08-03

| VI anu YET, Wueu we
s.,,.s look back over
u.nk., our history and
consider how we
have met great problems-such as
slavery, by great war; tariff, by
| fourteen bills and a like number of
panics; conservation, currency, bank.
Ing, antitrust and railroad questions,
by making the same matters Of peli-
dcs-it may be doubted whether we
are quite as great as we think we are.
In considering how we exercise our
judgment, We should remember the
extent to which we have devoted our.
selves to the education Of the young
and the large sums we have spent at
all times for public schools and for
colleges. When we look back and see
the mistakes we have made, It would
almost appear as II we had failed to
apply much that had been taught us in
school and college. or that perhaps the
school and cOllOD Rd not taught us
how to solve great political measures.
Then, again, the thought comes to us
OF whether or not we have not had
false leaders, and have not clung to
false gods.
Corporation Wrenaa
We all remember the outery against
vested interests Of the capitalists.
There have been great wrongs done
oy many corporations-some Of their
franchises have been obtained by cor
ruption and theft and great Injuries
have often been done to the rights of
the people; and so, when we found
times hard and things going WRONG,
we have vented our anger upon cor
porations and upon the capitalists who
controlled them. In many cases we
allowed ourselves to become angry
with a class or with certain individ-
uals and expended our strength On
our temper, rather than upon a study
OF the cure Of the conditions about
which we complained; and In many
instances we punished corporations
for the wrongs Of their predecessors
In ownership. much as sins Of parents
are visited upon their children.
Demagogues, knowing the public
mood, appealed to prejudice and ig.
norance In discussing public matters |
and made issues like currency. anti 1
trust laws and the railroads political |
footballs, just as If the question of
whether money could be saved by |
joining together companies and pro-
viding for economy in purchases and
sales was political. OF course II was
a matter Of economies (Which Is the
science Of commerce). Such matters
call for conference between repre-
sentatives Of farmers, laborers, sci.
entif1c students of world conditions.
and manufacturers and purchasers of
goods, to consider and determine how
goods can be produced with a fair
wage to the employee, q fair profit to
the employer and the maximum bene-
1t to the public.
Future Problems.
In Europe they have taken these
questions up in this careful way and
he result has been Of great benefit.
Now, and In the future, America will
Aave to deal with countries that are
hort of resources through the exhaus-
Ion Of war and have, Of necessity. to
'et down to rock-bottom. The thrifty.
Intelligent, industrious European is
lpt to be good merchant, and we are
'oing to have hard time connecting
Nth him for commerce and for world
% we must consider all of
ur problems more carefully than ever
'efore and cast aside those men who ,
lttempt to lead US away from q
houghtful, dispassionate view Of great
uestions.
Graft and neglect in local communi-
les OF political duties BY the average
itizen are responsible for the misgov.
that breeds disrespect, where b
re should have pride because Of the 81
mciency Of our people. The first con. v
ern Of the citizen in every community v
,ust be to see that 1t 10 governed in -
way that will assure the approval >
clean thinking men and women y
he mechanics governing q city re-
uire the same kind Of clear thought o.
nd careful work az that given tn 2;
hop work or farm planning, and eyery
oca American Qllt feal that st this d