The Crittenden press., 1920-07-09

We Americans, in common with
,ther peoples, are living in restless
age.
Before the world war all Europe
slept on a volcano, dreading the day
when the thunders of eruption should
be heard. That eruption came almost
in the twinkling Of an eye. bathed
two countries in the blood Of mil
lions of men, drove kings and EN-
perors from their gilded thrones. re-
duced aristocrats from afflusncs to
poverty. turned the world topsy-tur-
wy, and made civilization a mockery
and a byword.
Release from the priyations en-
tailed by war, instead Of SOLDERING
humanity. seems to have turned its
head. Profiteers are legion and prof
ligate spenders are more numerous.
Prodigality has swept US into sea
of uncertainty and conjecture from
which not even the wisest ones can
tell how or when we will emerge.
We are up in the air. knowing not
which way to turn, or whether to turn
or stand still, forge ahead or mark
time.
1t is a condition calculated to pro-
duce even the most aggravating form
of restlessness in people accust-
omed from our early days to a sane
and simple existence.
A time will come when we as q
people will emerge from our present
condition of indifference to conse-
quences. 1t may be year, or two,
or five, or more. and great changes
may take place before we are again
a normally moving people. But we
Americans are not class to be for
ever keyed up in turmoil Of excite
ment. In some way or other we will
find our level and resume the whole
some existence we enjoyed before the
world was set ablaze by the fires Of
war. 1t is a hope which buoys US
up and reconciles US to the idiosyncra-
cies of people apparently gone mad
in the game Of life.
1t is possible that when we pass on
to our ultimate rewards our children
may inherit better world than the
one in which are living today. The
experiences through which we are
passing may imbue US with knowl-
edge and furnish us with wisdom to
apply it for the good Of posterity.
Having fallen into the pitfalls Of life
ourselves, we may have the resource
fulness to teach our children to avoid
them. A man never picks up the
same hot poker twice. And we Of to-
day have picked up SO many, and Of
such varying degrees Of heat. it is
to be hoped there will be but few left
to scorch the fingers of our offspring.
Your character is your own and
you value it above all things. How
would you like to have it besmirched
and blackened in the eyes Of the
world? Get in the race for Pres
ident of the United States. Your
political enemies will convict you Of
every sin in the decalogue and paint
you so black the darkness Of night
will be illuminating in comparison.
II you have made a mistake in life it
will be paraded for the edification
of the public. If you have been cir
cumspect your very virtues will be
distorted into diabolical sins Of
omission and commission. For the
rule of politics, you know, is not Of
the Golden hue.
People who smart under the lash
Of false charges and malicious &C.
cusations have at least one ray Of
comfort to cheer them through life
In death they will not be robbed OF
the fruits Of their virtues. When
st. Peter halts them at the gates he
will have a record Of their deeds sc
complete that no single incident will
be omitted. Every act will be judged
in fairness and without bias, and ths
divine spirit Of manevolence will pre-
vail over all. There will be no falls,
charges or malicious accusations a,
the gates Of Paradise. All who ar,
worthy will be welcomed. and M
trades or combinations will be nee
essary to effect an entrance.
The man who is continually findin,
fault with his neighbors has n thou
sand devils working within bis being
The condition Of the soul finds lodge
ment in the mind and expression from
the lips, and II is well to bear thii
in mind the next time you hear on,
person picking another to pieces.
PINEY CREEK