The Dillon herald. [volume] (Dillon, S.C.) 1894-????, 1921-06-16
EXCURSIONS In THOUGHT.
Communism in Happiness-the Chief
Characteristic of Modern
Civilization.
OR. N. Allen, Latta. S. c.

N. IN. Alien, Lalld, -. VI
The chief defect of ancient civili-
zation lay in the fact that what may
be termed culture and refinement
was monop0 0lized by the few. There
is no denying that ancient civilization
was great both in genius and extent.
The pyramids of Egypt, the Hanging
Gardens of Babylon, and other great
Engineering projects command the re-
spect of modern engineers. American
doughboys, French poilus, and Eng
lish Tommies travelled over roads
laid out by Julius Caesar. Modern
glass blowers and pottery makers
have not equaled some of the pro-
ducts Of ancient Egypt. Egyptian
mummies have been found with gold
Filings in their teeth. The Ruins Of
Troy and the Aztec temples of Peru
are so similar that they point already
to that more or less legendary
lost continent called Atlantis. Ionian.
Daric, Corinthian, and Gothic archi-
lecture have not been equalled by
modern man.
The code of Hammurabi, the Won
derful moral and hygienic codes Of
Moses, the Ethics of Aristotle, the
cude Of Justinian-all Of these are
the bases OF our modern codes. Arab
ian chemistry though more ancient
was far in advance of the alchemy
of the middle ages. The Babylonians
of the times of Abraham and Job
were architects and astronomers be-
yond compare. Ancient philosophy
has not yet been superseded. Demo-
critus was the real father of the
90 toll
about atoms sounds new and mod
|ern; but even an antiquated history
of philosophy proves that before the
time of Christ, Greek philosophers
talked learnedly about atoms and
elements. The ancient lteratures.
Greek, Hebrew and Roman, still
color and influence modern thought
Every school boy or girl studies the
old classics.
However, great as was this wonder
fui ancient civilization. 1t was mono
polized by the well-to-do. Slaves and
serfs labored and tolled to produce
such dazzling results, while wealthy
lards basked in the decadent splen-
dor OF luxury. The upper classes had
every material comfort, while the
lower classes were never more than
few days removed from war, pes
thence and famine. Literature and
PHILOSOPHY were in the hands Of the
learned few who were subsidized by
wealthy lords. In those times, the
men and women really In contact
with art. science. literature, philoso-
ply and the comforts of social life
We're far less than one per cent of the
worlds population
| But today, civilization Is rapidly
becoming universal Instead Of being
centripetal. 1t is centrifugal. Civiliza-
ton Is being broad casted. In central
Africa sewing machines can be found
whereas one hundred years ago there
was not one in all the world. Bibles
used to be chained to pulpits; today
they can be had for the asking. The
printing press has broken the mono
poly OF learning. 1t has put every
great work of literature in the hands
Of the poorest. For as low as five and
ten cents. the products Of the literary
minds of all ages are available for
culture and refinement. The printing
press has done more to make the
world democratic than all the revolu-
tions OF mankind. The printing press
has over thrown autocracy, enthron-
ed democracy, and If the world is
ever made safe for Democracy, not
the sword, but the printing press
shall bring 1t to pass.
Formerly. only few could see great
actors and actresses. Today every vii
iage can see as good as the metro
polls sees through moving pictures
monographs and pianolas have made
IL possible for farmer to hear more
good music in a year than a city
dweller could hear in the opera in a
LIE time. Soon, music and lectures
Will be sent broad cast by wireless.
Even In medicine the pulse beat of
sick person has been transmitted
by wireless miles away for purpose
OF diagnosis. Today a hapnv voun0