Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1919-06-26

contention of petty states. of social
classes, OF religions, races and revo-
1utionists. A stupendous problem con-
fronts tho powers which purpose to
control the new political system Of Eu-
rope. And these powers themselves
are distracted over tho boundless pos
sibilitics OF enrichment which await
shrewd enterprise. As never before,
the resources of the globe are ready
for exploitation. AS never before, tho
agencies of exploitation have attained
a marvellous completeness. Industrial
combinations may hold continents in
virtual possession. The tentacles Of
financial organization enclos whole
populations. Craftsmanship In concern
cd chiefly with favorable concessions,
with tolls and tariffs and transporta-
ton. The prospect OF material pros
perity stnggers Imagination. Into this
economic struggle the peoples will be
inevitably precipitated
The concern for economic supremacy
is only too evident In the interlinears
Of the long deferred peace treaty. 1t
will determine public policy and pro-
mote enterprise. 1t will involve states
in violent controversies. 1t will affect
trade and traffic and general proper
spe culation and the matter of research
Liberal pursuits will surrender to prac-
tical urgency. Material rewards will
erect determinate standards for the
equipment for life. Material goods
will work even on ingenious souls
their subtle incrustation.
But material gods can never assure
the Abundant life. Equipment TO OBJ
| tain these goods right and proper
! though 1t be. can never satisfy the
demand OF the soul for an inner self
originating source Of life. As one faces
the immeasurable sweep of the indus
! trial forces of the world and feels
their seductive Influences one shudders
at tho possibility of world society
petrifed by selfish rivalry and dis
traoted by anarchistio competition, But
on the other hand, there is source
| of doep consolation One 10 solnced
when one contemplates the supreme
attractiveness of the Abundant Life and
feels the compelling power of it's mute
! appeal
| THE MURDER OF EDITH CAVELL
A few years ago there came into Bel
GUMS capital a German conquerer Won
Blessing by name. There followed him a
host of hardy soldiers to whose long
columns there seemed no end. With all
the pride and pomp Of war, they came.
! They took possession of the whole land.
Houses and cattle, the accumulated treas
ure, the household furniture. the goods
in stock, the deposit Of banks All the
wealth and all productive labor were at
the disposal Of the conquerors The COM
mander surrounded himself with extra
VACANT luxury and elaborate ceremony.
The whole population of Belgium was
subject to him, his name carried terror
to the children of the street. surly
glance. an awkward salute might cost a
1ne. an Imprisonment, a death sentence.
All property. all persons, all speech, all
looks. everything was at the absolute dis
posal of the victorious governor-general.
The pinnacle Of power seemed attained:
wealth without limit luxury in lavish
profusion. Here was all that heart could
wiHh. Power, position, pomp, pride of
achievement and Of possession. what
could be added to the completeness of
life for Governor-General Won Kissing?
There CHANGED to be a woman in the
town; simple English nurse. subject,
like others, to the authority of the
governor-general. She was impelled by
the sense Of loyalty to her country to
assist in the escape Of persons from the
captured country. She did not wrong. She
was impelled by the purest patriotism.
She defed the authority of the governor
general. She violated his commands. She
gave aid and comfort to the enemy of
the commander. She was arrested she
ackno wledged her deed; she was allowed
no defence; she was hurried secretly to
the place Of execution and in the cold
gray OF early morning, with indecent
haste. she was shot at command Of the
governor-general. 1t was a murder of
singularly atrocious character and II
caused a feeling Of horror throughout the
world. grateful people has recently
exhumed the remains and given to them
a regal funeral. Who would not choose
If possible, the simple life with Its re-
sultant death of Edith Cavell In prefer
ence to the power and pomp of Won
Kissing? His name will be remembered
with loathing. The memory of her brave
life and heroic death will thrill mems
souls for years to come. It will excite
emulation. 1t will have provocative power
1t Will reproduce its kind. Men and
women will be drawer. nobler because
Edith Cavell dared to die Her abundan,
life glorifed in death will feed the foun.
tain of life in multitudes Of souls
What wondrous thing is life! In
perceives Its simplicity and its pro-
fundity. In the depths of ones own
being one finds himself in contact
with the universal forces Here all
infinitudes meet. Here creative forces
terminate. Here the scheme Of exist
ence gradually unfolds. Here one be-
comes conscious of divine purpose
penetrating the manifold of animate
life, coordinating human agencies tc
one lar off event; and one surrenders
oneself to 1t with supreme satisfaction
Here doubts are resolved; decisions
confirmed, judgments reconciled, evalu.
atoms standardized Here one be-
comes the spectator of all existence
Here one communes with the saints
and saSes Of all time. Here the might,
past becomes reincarnated and the
moulding forces of the future come tc
birth.
/, Here also one makes n genuine re.
turn to nature. The strength Of the
mis-, the periodical rehirth of natures
iife' the serenity of the sea, the wills.
pering winds in the pines rtir pro.
round emotions and satisfy: with al
me subtle chemistry of natures life
one hnds ones inner self in singular
harmony. No babel of confused voice.
greets one there, There is the quiet
strength, the glad obed ence to law
the certainty of accomplishment, TIL,
unhastenins progress toward the de.
termined goal. There knowledge be-
comes v!talizcd, science becomes hui
manized, and literary accomplishment
mas substance and worthy sentiment
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