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About Hesperian student / (Lincoln [Neb.]) 1872-1885 | View Entire Issue (Oct. 1, 1878)
iMm 430 SOCIAIi CON'FMCT. YOU VII, I I'll ' Ml iM ii row's dawn." A ferment spreading from this source, has vitalized tliis, the great progressive race of human kind, penetrat ing from individual to individual, and producing results according to its hidden and latent genius. One makes a fund, amontal error in supposing that men in gcncial conduct themselves according to the impulse of their passions or desires, rather than obey the dictates ot reason. Reason is an uncontrollable faculty, rec ognizing the ultimate end of humanity, fostering the impulse to action in provid ing the means to the end. And while the efforts of individuals to accomplish that end, which some secret motive has chcr ished into a passionate desire, assumes u defiant or ostentatious appearance and the attempt to exalt prerogative above the prevailing principles of the times, clothes this social warfare in a garb apparently unfavorable and sullied with enmiiy, as the schemes of some, more unfortunate, are inverted, and the world arrogates u cold and partial demeanor, Yet since not every Rood thuy enn dovitle; Kuubon bids thum, for thutr own to provide The independent principle of " common sense"is the true basis of individuality, the proper conception of one's own being, and although many of the changes perfected by the advance of time have had some individual motive, as their propagator right and justice must have been con&pie uous elements, upon which they based their claims, to have received the univcr. sal acknowledgement, as necessary and ex pedient mutations in the aflairs of life Just but a short while ago, the woman, a component part of this human structure was thought to be needless of improve uient, for the fulfillment of her sphere, and the attempt to develop the powers so long dormant, under the potent au thority of ages, was thought an inordinate imposition on the rights of man, and as her human nature revolts, as the light of freedom casts its rays over her dwarfish powers, it was thought, oven in our me mory her imperfections and defects, and now, as hor feeble voice appeals to justice, for that right which an assumed authority has so long suppressed, we await with anxious anticipation for the approach of that revolution, beraing, within its folds, peace, virtue and purity, foretelling the deliverance of woman, from out the cloister of her long retire ment; and asnaturearoused her lethargic mind, little did she realize, and not fully does she realize now, the splendor of her unparalleled career, and the grandeur of her destiny, that this social conflict now prepares. The principle, ' let well enough alone," is not totally disregarcd, notwitli standing the avariciou? tendency common to the Americans, a popular fervor is ever prevalent that clings with a tena. cious grasp, to the customs, laws and institutions of the day, viewing these changes which time necessitates, as auspicious innovations, making the steps of progress sure and decided made not b the advocation of a few but by the demand of the many, and while the authors of these institutional mutations are compensated with the ingratitude of an unfriendly people, and considered as hostile to social freedom, yet at the con sumation of their designs, "Tlioso uro tlu-y, tlio world pronounces wlso; The world which cancols nnturo's right mid wrong. And now ousts wisdom." And now, as the contention between the dogmas of creed and theory, revolves into an irrepressible warfare, demanding judgement from every thinking being, and retribution for their struggle, for or daining the destiny of coining peo. pie, let us ttust that our Lachcsis, will weave into this web of life, silken threads of wisdom that will hasten the conjunction of science and religion, tiie two compartments of one great fabrick, and rear the mighty structure to the everlasting glory of man. E. V. Holmes.
