Unrest and confusion are strongly in evidence. On the whole, there is far less suffering and destitution than ever before. Oppression and abominations meet with quick and powerful protest from all classes, when exposed, and at least temporary relief is quick to follow.
The blame is confined to no one class, rich or poor. The equitable distribution of wealth, resources, and opportunity that have developed beyond all precedent during the last half century, requires time. Justice and equity are not dead, but everywhere in evidence, dominating mankind at large. Public sentiment was never more keen and never nearer right than to-day. There is general confusion, however, as to methods and ways and means. The cunning shark and the selfish brute resort to concealment, cunning and subterfuge, to deceive the people and often succeed for a time, only to meet with condemnation and execration later. Injustice is often in evidence, but it is neither rampant nor dominant. It stands in fear of public sentiment.
These, in brief and in outline, are the conditions, the portents, to-day, everywhere in evidence:
1. The decay of creeds and dogmas.
2. Great progress in Science, Art, and the Crafts.
3. Immense discoveries regarding Nature’s finer forces and the psychical powers latent in man.
4. Great expectancy as to new revelations.
5. Unprecedented increase in wealth and the development of natural resources.
6. Enfranchisement of woman, and immense progress as to her rights and opportunities.
7. Economic Justice recognized and aimed at, and fortified by public sentiment, with strong efforts to secure and maintain it.