Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1919-01-03
Friday, January 3, 1879.
Prejudice or Progress?

Premier Clemenceau. "the old
tiger" Of France. has frankly outlined
the platform which he will stand upon
If the chamber of deputies Permits
him to go as delegate to the peace
conference. Hc has not the power
10 name himself and others without
consulting the chamber. as our
premier" takes upon himself. He
said:
There is an old system which .ap-
pears condemned today and to which
] do not fear to say that remain faith
full at this moment. Countries have or
ganized the defense of their frontiers
with the necessary elements and the
ieve that nothing should separate after
the war the four great powers that the
war has united. 70 this entente l will
make all sacrifices"
The keep your powder dry" idea OF
Cromwell still clings to the minds Of
men. Clemenceau has shown its
cloud over his splendid vision. Sena-
tors Lodge and Knox, two Of the big
gest minds in America. have shown
the grip of old days ard old convic-
lions on the throat of ideals and
progress. Taft is still arguing the
"non-enforcibiiity of prohibitory law"
as ono year ago he argued that the
war could not possibly end under Ave
years.
But in spite Of the failure Of some
iutellects we have long admired and
trusted to grasp the opportunity for
stepping magnihcently ahead. we are
still convinced that the composite
mind is fluid and that before the criti-
cal moment has passed it may be
guided into the channel Of doing great
things that the war has taught us we
could do. and that we shall continue
to do unprecedented things: that we
shall cut loose from the fear Of
ideals" and the guide boards Of 9TH
er centuries that now point to de-
serted paths. 49,,
Too many of-us are still inclined to
sneer at any proposal to step out OF
the rut as the dream" of an "idieal-
ist." and to dismiss the subject for
fear it might contaminate our preju-
dice and bigotry. And yet. but for
the unexplained appearance Of
"idealists' in some families the other
members would still be swinging by
their tails from the branches Of
trees.
Jesus Christ was an 'idealist" and
yet he was the most practical man
referred to in all history. He dared
to do things that had never been done
before-even to physically enforce the
law where notification was degrad-
ing sacred places. He did not argue
that no attempt should Le made for
cleaner and better conditions because
the law was unpopular. And Jesus
Christ dared to advocate n league Of
nations and Of homeopathy of all
ind brotherhood Of all; peace on
earth, good will to men,
Thinking human beings who are
free from bigotry and selfish ma
terial influence are seeing and voic-
ing the probability that e we let
pass the psychology of the hour fol-
lowing relief from the horrors Of war,
without the shaping and launching Of
new courses and new ideals. we shall
sink back into old ruts and practices
and the blood Of our sons will have
been shed in vain. the opportunity
presented by Providence neglected.
Ignored wasted.
The bieotries Of western Europe
we're shattered to win the war. Only
that saved Paris and the channel
coast from the triumphal occupation
by the central allies months ago. The
'idealistic dream" OF unified COM
nland had to be submitted to, or the
defeat of entente forces and of civili-
cation. The old military bigotry was
good for the world to die by. but at
the crisis Of civilization the bigtory
gave way and nations flowed in to-
gether and won side by side.
Cromwell. animated by the highest
deals Of religion and liberty, was too
treruous in progress for England
ll:d when he died the nation con-
tentedly sank back into the Stuart
ruts. Today the world has seen the
POSSIBLE, if it will go on and up with
tut fear. casting aside the narrow
'onvictions and prejudices formed by
u conditions and old pretenses.
We sec great men reversing them
lives on great questions Of public
interest and we hear their flow Of
words in sentences that may be UNI
derstood in one way and yet capable
Il being interpreted" by their au-
.ors as OF an absolutely opposite
.9.:ning. For example. President
Wilson's economic barriers" and
Low his THE United States .
will join no combination Of power
which is not combination Of all of
U.s."
All. Of US" is the dodge corner on
:he international checker-board in