Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1920-02-25
EPIDENnCS.
They Never Last For Amy Definite
Time, But Exact Limit is I'M
known.

Epidemics come and pass but the
world goes right on. Plaques or
spring fever the race survives and
Progresses. And few months or
years after the traces of epidemics
disappear, says the Marshalltown
Times Republican.
There has been and still exists an
epidemic OF unrest and unease that
affects all of us, big or little, high or
low. The tremendous agitation fol-
lowing war times, the present indus
trial unrest and the various prob
lens that will confront our law
makers for some time to come are all
symptoms of a condition which we
all feel individually at times. Every
war has brought it's aftermath of dis
turbing conditions. Things seem to be
muddled into situations closely re-
sembling shaos. We seem to be run
ming at cross purposes, not knowing
just where we are headed, but GER
tain that we are going somewhere at
tremendous speed. After reading re-
ports of the worlds affairs, the think
er is apt to feel at times that things
are going to the very devil, and that
there isn't much use in trying to pur-
sue any settled policy in his private
or public life.
There is no need for any such feel
ing. The man who holds the larger
vision Will know that what is needed
is the strength to hold on in the face
of discouragements. Basically, the
country of our hearts is all right
We need to be watchful, to guard the
doors Of our public life with unceas-
ing care. but pessimistic outlooks
should be banished from our minds
The period of stress thru which we
are now passing will go from us and
normal times will come again.
Experience has shown us, or should
have shown us, that democratic
countries are the only ones able to
survive a great crisis. They have the
power of expansion which will alb
sorb evil growths and transform
them into benefits to the nation. An
absolute monarchy must depend on
repression because it's life is at stake
as soon as the people begin to assert
their rights to normal life and hap
piness. It is matter of history that
periods Of excitement and national
hysteria always follow great disturb
ances of the national life thru wars.
1t is also a matter of history that ma
tional hysteria has always been over
come in the course of time by the
basic sound Judgment of nations
people In America the judgment of
the people is sound, as has been
proven time and time again.
What is needed now is national
faith. We have great country-the
greatest on earth from many points
of view. 1t is impossible that this
nation cannot survive an internal
crisis without coming out from 1t
bettered for having undergone the
test. Strikes, activities of parlor
reds" hysterical spending on tue
part of the war-made rich. chaotic
conditions of industry and such
things will pass, provided that we re-
tain our national sanity. Firm faith
in American institutions, steadfast
clinging to the methods of law and
order and high resolve that others
shall abide by the dictates of the ma
tional feeling for justice and right,
will bring us out of the situation we
seem now to be in.
The epidemic will pass. 1t never
lasts for any definite time, but its
exact limit is unknown. The national
epidemic will also pass How long it
will be before prices come down,
wage earners are satisfied and a man
is able to plan once for his future
are the unknown quantities in the
national equations Sit tight to the
daily task, watch what is going on
but never fear that some day in the
not too distant future we shall get
adjusted to the new conditions and
be able to proceed in the eternal
search for happiness and the right OF
every man to live his normal, useful
life