I found this editorial in my mother's belongings. It was published in the Montgomery Mirror Golden Anniversary Souvenir dated May 18' 1939:
People always like to be called progressive. When the newspaper reporter writes up the life of some leading citizen, he is apt to call him "Progressive". The subject of the sketch is pleased by the description.
Our country has made genuine progress in every decade of its history. All good towns desire progress. They can see many lacks that should be filled, and and many things that could make life more agreeable.
Progress is obtained chiefly by labor and intelligence. Former generations made very rapid progress, because of toil some work, and inventive ideas. The pioneer went out in new country, and their work in turning a wilderness into beautiful cities in half a century was a most magnificent example of progress. Those pioneers toiled long hours and were not afraid to work with their hands. They had time to spare to build up social and civic organizations. Their busy hands were skillful in mechanical problems and they were constantly inventing new things to make labor easier.
A willingness to work and inventiveness of mind seem to be the principal elements making toward progress. Such work has to be something more than merely toiling at some industry. It has to be constant work in organization for improvement of our communities and support of useful movements.
Wise legislation, which shall give the industries fair regulation and prevent abuses, and which shall take care of the unfortunate and soften the hardships of old age, also has a large part to play in progress. In the main people attain progress by doing things themselves, rather than asking the government to do these things for them.
How much progress have we made since 1939?
Kathy Taggart
Muncy
Submitted by Virtual Newsroom
