The Liberal democrat. [volume] (Liberal, Kan.) 1911-1924, 1922-11-02
EXTREMES
(Minutely Discussed)
By Melvin Wheeler.

II is very interesting to trace out
the part that extremes play in the
affairs of men.
Much of the progress that has
come to the world had its lncep-
ton in some extreme movement.
An extreme might be likened to
a scouting party. The advance
men go farther out into the uneX--
plored country. The majority Of
the crowd refuse to follow all the
way. Yet, the scout party-the
extremist - performs worthy
service in causing the over-conser-
vative man to take a step forward.
Progress comes not by leaps and
bounds. 1t comes step-by-step. 1t
is we'll that this is the practice, as
a radical change, altho appropriate
in its time, might cause untold
damage.
The extremist who acts some
where within the bounds of sanity
has Just as important a service to
perform as has the conservative.
The extremist is spur to the con-
sentative, and the conservative ex-
ercises a check upon the extrem-
list. This results in gradual prog
ress wherein people in all walks
of life adjust themselves to chang
ed conditions without the shock
that would result were a radical
change ushered in within the
twinkling of an eye.
A cool bath is exhilarating after
it is over but it is much more
pleasant to walk gradually into the
depth of the stream rather than to
take a bold plunge. Remember
that God didn't make the world in
a day. Neither did Christ think it
expedient to give His full message
at one time. He knew that the
whole message given at once
would be confusing. His whole
message was true, but the people
had to be made over in order to
receive it as the truth.
It seems that whatever progress
the world has made is simply re-
suit of the studied movements Of
the majority as they follow the ex-
tremist-a step at a time-into
the interior of all that is left to
be explored. In the light of an
awakened consciousness a few
years hence, what now seems ex-
IRENE, may be embraced by the
most conservative man on earth.
This fact might be illustrated
by paying reference to mans activ-
ity in all walks Of life. 1t is es-
pecially noticeable in the realm Of
politics,
At one time both the Republican
and Democratic parties called the
and Democratic parties called the
Union Labor party and the Popu-
list parties rank extremists. Now
it is real funny to see the old par
ties recommending much of the
same prescription to "save" the
country today.
4 honor the pioneers who braved
| the ocean waves and fought their
way throcgh the difficulties thai
confronted them in settling thi'
country. They were known as ex
tremists in their mother country
| I also honor any man or woman
who dares to stand up for thu
rights of all men and to curb tn,
encroachments of designing
few. In taking this stand an
fully aware that / will be classe'
as an extremist by the last-men
toned class.
| | do not fear the criticism o
this crowd nor do / court the ap
plause of any class who are dis
posed to travel faster than orderl
adjustment can be made. In 9th
er words ] believe in progressiv
reform and holding every inch o
the ground thus gained.
So I suppose / might label my
self somewhat in this wise: II
extreme enough to try to mater
ialize some of the blessings froi
the storehouse of the great VI
known, but I wouldn't run tn
train at dangerous rate of spec
in an effort to gather in the prizes
So, now I've judged myself and
am henceforth amenable to tn
Judgment of all men.