Bonners Ferry herald. [volume] (Bonners Ferry, Idaho) 1904-current, 1921-02-01
SEEK THE DEEPER CAUSE

Many men believe that mankind is
now passing through an experience
similar to former periods in history
marked by great perplexities and
serious social upheayals, but invariably
followed by step forward in human
progress.
Thoughtful men today are studying
the symptoms of our social disorders,
and still seeking to solve the riddle
that is as old as civilization. Some
are viewing with alarm" and prophe-
lsying dire calamities. Others believe
that out of the present world turmoil
good will result. Some believe they
see a time coming when what they
term industrial democracy" will give
to all workers justice. Others fear
that the present demands of the labor
ing man will spell world confusion
But whatever may be a mans convic-
lions concerning industrial problems,
every reasonable man will search dill
gently and honestly for the safe solu-
ton.
1t is quite the common thing nova
days to point an accusing finger at
sorely oppressed Russia and warn
America of the sure ruin that con-
fronts her if she should be so unwise
as to adopt any of the bolshevistic
principles lately put into operation in
that bleeding country. America is
urged to beware of all l. w. w. prop
uganda, all socialistic impulses, and
to steer sure course away from an
economic and governmental pathway
that will lead as surely to devastation
in America as it has in Russia. And
such advice is wise.
1t is well to take warning of the
mistakes of Russia 1t is vitality neces-
sary that the false and criminal doc
trines of the l. w. W. be thoroughly
stamped out 1t is we'll to ponder
carefully too radical changes in our
economic life. 1t is certain that no
sane American wants to afflict his
country with that lack of sound gov
eminent now prevalent in the once
great empire of the deposed Nicholas.
But in all this vast amount of preach
ing and pointing with alarm" there
I is so very little reference made to
the real cause that has produced this
chaos in Russia. The bolshevists, the
socialists, the rampant radicals are
pictured as the sole and only cause of
the Russian catastrophe. And upon
their shoulders must indeed rest much
blame.
But as a matter of fact, the condi-
ton of rampant radicalism running
wild could never have developed in
Russia had it not been for centuries
of disagreement. To the student of
history Russia stands as the synonym
of black ignorance, downtrodden mass
es of population, corrupt public offic-
ials The very essence of Russian civ
ilization was corruption and graft
among the few in high places poverty
, and injustice melted out to the great
mass of the people 1t would be alb
, surd to maintain that Russia pos
sessed no patriotic or able men
but these we're in the minority and
nal weakness of their theory of gov
eminent. This pernicious condition
: of affairs was plainly visible in the
/, RuSso-Japanese war when the need Of
the nation was sacrificed to the greco
of individuals, and where graft in gov
, ernmental contracts was the thing Il
Z be expected The same thing wa:
limited at in the World war. The can
ker at the heart of the empire wa,
c largely the lack of honesty and moral
! ity. And beneath this so great cor
! ruption and injustice. was a popula
a ton almost totally ignorant held TO
centuries in bondage and persecution
T In Russia history simply repeats it
: self Given a corrupt and inefficien
! government over an oppressed an,
: ignorant people and the final result
4 is always the same. Eventually tn
= entire social structure so constitute
q blows up, or such a nation become
r weak through rottenness and event
uauy is conquered by virile one
i The thing to ponder in Russia /
4 not the present terrible condition Q
affairs but rather the defect in he
4 national life that has resulted in tn
present anarchy and from which defec
y chaos was the sure result. Bolshevis
tic rapine, plumber and bloodshed neve
5 would have been possible among an en-
IS lightened and justly governed people
Nowhere could it live except in pee
pie oppressed for centuries and hel
e in ignorance.
n America wants no bOlshevism
s. neither does the nation want any {
, fbn conditions 4bo% 1oad 20 q n