Evening star., 1943-01-01
New Year, 1943

On January /, 1901, The Star, dis
cussing the close Of the nineteenth
century, declared: THE world is
growing better. - Perfection is
not yet, and the millennium is far
Off, but the man who thinks that the
world is not making real and sub
stantial progress as it grows older
does not read the signs of the times
Alright"
Since the words here quoted first
were written much has occurred to
discourage optimistic views concern
ing the fate of the human race, but
even now, in the midst of the great
est crisis civilization has known
since the DARK Ages, there is no
proven reason for despair.
The problem, as philosophic OBJ
server sees it in the present hour of
trial, is the reconciliation of mans
genius for self-improvement with his
apparent ineptitude for social
righteousness and peace. On the
one extreme, he creates material
values undreamed by his immediate
ancestors; on the other, he destroys
the product of the toll of his fellows
with a ruthlessness comparable with
the barbarity of his most remote
progenitors. The conflict is not one
between classes and nations merely.
It exists within the nature Of each
single individual. Courage and fear,
generosity and greed flourish in a
paradox in every soul.
Yet, as Thomas Henry Huxley said
in 1863, "thoughtful men will
find in the lowly stock whence man
has sprung the best evidence of the
splendor of his capacities; and will
discern in his long progress through
the past a reasonable ground for
faith in his attainment Of the
future" 1t also generally is agreed
among students of the annals of the
species that John Stuart Mill was
correct in his contemporaneous aff1r-
nation that: mo one whose opinion
deserves a moments consideration
can doubt that most of the great
positive evils Of the world are in
t. elves removable, and will, II
hulnarl affairs continue to improve,
be in the end reduced within narrow
limits"
Specifically, there is no excuse for
disheartening pessimism about the
feasibility of victory in the prevailing
war. The United Nations already
have demonstrated their power of
resistance Otherwise. the Axis pow
ers would be triumphant in both
hemispheres. Instead, they have lost
the initiative in the past few months
and currently are on the defensive.
What machines, what munitions,
what armies Of brave youth will be
required for the final defeat of the
triple enemy may be a matter OF
speculation. The average citizen OF
the United States, however, gradually
Is coming to understand that the
struggle, III d CcIUdlll OClllIltC dllu
tangible sense, is his own personal
affair. When the compulsive force
OF the whole American community
has been organized in support Of the
efforts of Americas allies in Europe
and Asia, the impact with which it
can be directed against Hitler and
his partners should be irresistible.
OF course, the victory for freedom
Is bound to cost a frightful price in
sweat and blood and tears. The
United Nations are willing to make
the indicated sacriflce-provided only
that the result is the liberty, the
tolerance, the mutually for which,
expressed or unexpressed, millions OF
people everywhere are longing. At
New Year, 1943, one anxiety takes
precedence over all others-a passion
not merely for the subjugation Of the
tyrant aggressors but for the full
and complete use Of the opportunities
of such success for the benefit OF
humanity without reservation.