Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-07-27
Spiritual Guidance
Needed i'm Present
Advice of w. Wilson

Boston, July 2G.-(By A. PO-For-
mcr President Woodrow Wilson, writ
irg under the caption The Road Away
from Revolution" for the August num-
Der of the Atlantic Monthly. sounds a
note of warning that our civilization
cannot surViv" materially unless it be
redeemed spiritually.
This is the first time since his Illness
that Mr.. Wilson has made public his
views upon present day problems in
the United States and throughout the
world. They will be preserved in per-
manent form between covers.
In these doubtful and anxious days
when all the world is at unrest, and.
look which way You will the road
ahead seemed darkencd by shadows
which portond dangers Of many kinds.
l. is" says the one who commanded
the Ship of State during the World
War, "only common prudence that we
should look about us and attempt to
assess the causes of distress and the
most likely means of removing them"
Then avoiding the partisan as he
sees the existing state OF American
civilization, tch writer goes briefly
to the root of the matter by making
essentially what is Il religious appeal
for better understanding between
the "haves' and the "have notS."
Real ground foT tho universal UNI
rest he asserts, lies deep at the
sources q the spiritual life of our
time, and leads to revolution"
The cause of the Russian revolu-
ton, which he calls 1.-The Outstand-
ing event of its kind in our age" was.
I in his view, n systematic denial to
the great body of Russians of the
rights and privileges which all nor
NAL men desire ara must have if
they are to he contCntCd and win
reach of happiness"
What has this to do with America ?
at was against capitalism" he de-
, clarcs, that the Russian leaders
directed their attack, and it is
! against capitalism under one name or
another that the disconnected classes
everywhere draw their indictment. -
Everywhere. he says. there are
thoughtful men who believe that
capitalism is INDISPENSABLE to civil
cation. but he goes on to ask: rs
/ the capitalistic system unimpCach-
ablc?"
rs it not true that capitalists have
often seemed to regard the men
whom they used as mere Instruments
of profit. whose physical and mental
J''NtlS IL was Us Il'ttt " cAplOll {.
the inquiry goes on. Ought we not
to seek q way to remove such Of
fcnses and make life itself clean for
those who will share hOn0rably and
Clearly in it?
"Thc world has been made safe for
democracy. There need now be no
fear that any such mad design as
that entertained by the insolent and
ignorant EOhcnZollcrns and their
councillors may prevail against it.
But democracy has not vet made the
world safe against irrational revolu-
ton That supreme task which is
nothing less than the salvation of
civilization, now faces democracy, in
sist6nt. imperative.
There is no escaping it, unless ev-
crything we have built up is pres
entity to fall in ruin about US: and
the United states. as the greatest of
dCmocracies. must undertake it.
1.-THE road that leads away from
revolution is clearly marked, for it
is defined by the nature of men and
of organized society. Ut therefore be-
hoovcs us to study very carefully
and very candidIy the exact nature
of the task and the means of its &C
CONFERENCE.-The sum Of tho whole
matter is this that our civilization
cannot survive materially unless it
be redeemed spiritually. Here is the
final challenge to our churches, to
our political organizations, and to
our capitalists-to every one who
fears God or loves his country"