South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1920-05-16
Changing Standards
Following Trail of
Rabid Social Unrest
BY ARTHUR REID.

IN the vast CONFUSION. DeEotfen OF
the social unrest and Industrial un-
oertainties occasioned by the world
war upheaval. there has come 10
pass q personal and mental dlsor-
der that IS discernable IN the lax re-
gard we have for the old standards
OF thought and action. Those old
laws that once were respected a.
the very foundations OF our civil
zation have been shaken out or
place. II may be safely assumed
that the American people were
never so universally stirred and con
fused by the multiplication OF thee
ries. doctrines and half baked ideas
on every subject under the sun THAI
has beer the case during the u
months which we have passed since
the close OF the war.
IL Is as II some mighty hand had
taken the nation by the scrun q
the neck and shaken from q much
OF the old conservatism which was
once our pride and upon which rest
ed so much OF our confidence IN the
future permanence OF the countr1-.
The land Is fun OF prophets OF both
good and evil. Theories as 20 ever
human activity are promulgated On
every side with a wildness and aban-
don that are startling. The const-
tuition. which has been the bulwars
Of our civil and political faith
through all these years Is undergo
ing an expansion which presages
vast possibilities for the future.
II is as II the United States after
years Of following a beaten path
had suddenly determined, IN both
its private and public thought. o.
seek new paths and start all over
again. These conditions are easily
seen in tho changed standards or
living The political changes by
which the constitution has been add
ed TO in the recent prohibition
amendment and the possible further
amendment TO include woman SUI
frage. are larger manifestations %
the shifting Of thought that is
abroad in the land.
These are subjects about which
exists a diversity OF opinion. bur
they may be regarded as actual
crystallization Of the purpose Of the
American people 10 move out OF the
past into a new and untried future
and the ultimate wisdom or unwis-
dom OF their adoption is yet 10 be
determined. The intent behind botH$
prohibition and woman suffrage Us
unassailable. and the results are al
ready establishing their great value
IL is when We come 10 industrial
thought and conduct. as suggested
by TIE disregard OF old standards
and he reckless establishment 90
new unbaked rules, born Of the mo
ment, that one IS conscious OF a
sense OF danger and OF loss.
In the religious world the old doc
trines are losing their vital force
The church IS I'm the thrOes OF "a
readjustment. and whether II viii
abide by the old standards or also
seek new and broader paths IS still
a question. Our fathers preached
and lived a stern gospel. He'll and
sin were real entities in the lives Or
the saved and unsaved. Faith was
the sheet anchor Of hope and the
militant marched forward apart
from the multitudes on the broad
road.
Here we find today marked
changes. The church IS softening
toward the sinner, and comes clos
or TO the paths OF sin IN a confessed
effort 10 understand and perhaps
win the way7ward. Here. too. one
must wait for results. but II IS a
disturbing FACTOR IN the UEnL 10 re-
tain the old standards.
Personal standards as 20 charac-
ter and living have been largely
thrown aside. Perhaps a majority
OF people IN this day erect their
own standards. believing that these
things are subject 70 change and
belong in the sphere OF personal
choice Honesty. say these people.
is merely a matter OF whether you
are intelligent enough 10 evade the
obsolete laws OF punishment intend
ed 10 prevent dishonesty. Virtue is
no longer modest in its public mani
festations, but may go forth painted
and bedecked with the dizzy habit
ments Of vice. Speech has lost
largely its pure and gracious spirit
Of purity, and in the highest courts
OF society Is heard mixed with IL
language or the streets and the gut
ters
These things all arise from :hc
loss OF the old standards that
the nation now occupies. They wers
good guides through ali the years
OF making-Sill their loss uumake
US?