V.
Uncle Sam is now awake and doing in earnest. The rankness of materialism breeding from the earth, a thing of great and dreaded power, of craft and slime, recoils upon the land of which it has been begotten and now boldly erects its head to encompass the state in its death-constricting coils.
Even the old lady, who is wont to knit her stockings in peace by a hardwood fire, or by the glowing coals of an open grate, in city or town, alike, peaceful and content, and without consideration of the vexing problems of supply and demand, awakens suddenly to the fact that even a comfortable competence is no surety against want and cold, when the serpent has dragged himself into the garden and garner house of God.
The farmer is aroused and indignant, but when he makes his protest, the serpent flies pursuit, and with a changing policy under the guise of a great, foolish bird and a well assumed air of innocence, buries its small and crafty head for a season in the sand.
VI.
Really, it seems ridiculous that this incessant warfare of man against man should go on,—the head casting aspersions upon the feet, and the feet kicking against their own head, to the mutual affliction of themselves and the great body that holds them together in the firm compact of common life.... This is not God's law, but man's supreme selfishness,—his disobedience and his curse. After all, kid shoes and silk stockings are not elective privileges; and poorer humanity, turning under its cross and chains, appeals to Heaven, not in vain, if we read aright the signs of the times. The air resounds with optimistic teachings and words of love and cheer that, as yet, have no guarantee in actual deeds. In contra-distinction to the Christian creed, "we must look out for ourselves," is the rasping gospel of our latter-day faith. But there are those who work as well as preach, and to such may yet be recorded the service of universal peace.
To dictate to me with whom I shall travel,
Annoy me by constantly scratching the gravel,
And trench on my courtesy, when I decline,
For reasons sufficient, to treat them as mine;
Please notice, your honors, their mode of attack,—
I hold they've no grievance and shouldn't kick back!"
While the ostrich was talking, in tones hoarse and wheezy,
His feet, from their pecking still sore, grew uneasy;
Unfitted by nature to talk, they, by grace,
In eloquent silence presented their case.
The judges, thrown now on their own wisdom, turned
To next take account of how much they had learned;
The peacock, as chairman, assuming dominion,
Invited from each a judicial opinion;
Whereupon, in his turn, each his own views expressed,
Then sat down and looked around, wise, at the rest.