of the most vital bearing upon
our future. The changes now in progress are accompanied by no
convulsions, yet the whole character of our civilization is being
rapidly crystallized anew as our country takes its inevitable place in
the world.

So quietly are the great forces at work that some of our most vital
problems have remained almost unrecognized by the public until the last
two years. Yet the fact that these decisions are being made is almost
appalling in its magnitude, and their indescribable consequence not only
to the United States, but to all the nations of the earth, needs to be
vividly realized by every one of us, for it is one of the great
compelling reasons why the public spirit of young men is needed so
urgently and at once. And more specific reasons press upon us from every
side.

Recently the attention of our people, thanks largely to President
Roosevelt, was focussed upon the presence or absence of the common
virtues and the common decencies in public life. The revelation of
corruption in politics, in business, and here and there in the public
service, is a testimony not of unwonted wickedness in high places, but
of unwonted sensitiveness in public opinion, and so far as it goes it is
a most hopeful sign; but it does not yet go far enough.

The opportunity to set a new standard in political morality is here now.
Public sensitiveness on every subject ebbs and flows and must be taken
at the flood if the use of it is to be really effective. Decision made
now as to the character of our public life will be valid for many years,
for it is but seldom that the question comes so clearly before us. The
war for righteousness is endless, but this is one of the great battles,
and its results will endure.

We are now in the throes of decision on the whole question of business
in politics, of politics for business purposes, and we must take our
share in determining whether the object of our political system is to be
unclean money or free men. The present strong movement to prevent the
political control of public men, law-courts, and legislatures by great
commercial enterprises will either flash in the pan or it will succeed;
it will leave either the man or the dollar in control. The decision will
be made by the young men, and it is not far ahead.

The question of efficiency in public office has been brought to the
front as never before in the history of the Nation. As a whole, our
public service is honest, but