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About Hesperian student / (Lincoln [Neb.]) 1872-1885 | View Entire Issue (Oct. 1, 1878)
480 SOCIAL CONFLICT. Vol. vh, i I row's dawn." A fermcut spioadimj from this source, has vitalized this, the groat progressive race of human kind, penetrat ing from individual to individual, and producing results according to its hidden and latent ecnius. One makes a fund. amcntal error in supposing that men in general conduct themselves according to the impulse of their passions or desires, rather than obey the dictates ol 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 cher ished into a passionate desire, assumes a defiant or ostentatious appearance and the attempt to exalt prerogative abovo the prevailing principles of the times, clothes this social warfare in a garb apparently unfavorable and sullied with enmity, as the schemes of some, more unfortunate, are inverted, and the world arrogates a cold and partial demeanor, Yet since not every pood thoy can ilovlilo; llctuon bids them, for tliuir own to provide. The independent principle of " common sense"is the true basis of individuality, the proper conception of one's own beinc, and although many of the changes perfected by the advance of time have had some individual motive, as their propagator, right and jUEtice must have boon coiibpic uous elements, upon which they based their claims, to have received the nnivcr. sal acknowledgement, as necessary and ex pedient mutations in the attain, of life Just but a short while ago, the woman, a component part of this human structure was thought to be needless of improve ment, 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 lifht of lreedom casts it rays ovor her dwarfish powers, it was thought, even in our me- mory her imperfections and defects, and now, as her feeble voice appeals to justice, for that right which an assumed authority has so long suppressed, wo await with anxious anticipation for the approach of that revolution, boraing, within its folds, poacc, virtue and purity, foretelling the dcliverence of woman, from out the cloister of her long retire ment; and as naturejarouscd 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. Tlio principle, let well enough alone," is not totally disregared, notwith standing the avaricious tendency common to the Americans, a popular fervor is ever prevalent that clings with a tcna. 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 sum and decided made not by the advocation of a few but by the demand of the many, and while die authors of these institutional mutations are compensated witli the ingratitude of an unfriendly people, and considered as hostilo to social freedom, yet at the con sumatiou of thoir designs, "Tliase are tluy. tho world pronounces wise; TIip world which caneoU nnturo'a rlj-lit ttnd wrong. And new cast wltdom." And new, as the contention between the dogmas or cieed and theory, revolves into an irropressiblo warfare, demanding Judgement from every thinking being, and retribution for their struggle, for or daining the destiny of coming peo. pie, let us ttust that our Lncliesis, will weave into this web or life, silken threads of wisdom that will hasten the conjunction of science and roligion, the two compartments of one groat fabrick, and rear tho mighty structure to the everlasting glory or man, E. P. Holmes.