Volume 16 , Issue 40

Seek the Truth, 1896 Article

To "Seek the Truth" is nothing knew for the American people. We found this February 1896 article in The Columbian, in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, dated Thursday, 6 February 1896, page 4, "Live Questions."

The article begins by stating, "Professor Crunden's contribution, entitled "Seek the Truth," to which we give place in this issue on page 2, is the initial number of an extended series of articles which will appear in this journal from time to time."

The general character of the entire series was fairly indicated by the above heading, "Live Questions," by who is meant questions that are neither defunct nor stale. Questions each one of which was a living issue, an issue which divides and which in the near future would absolutely convulse the American people.

Live questions back then were those which were unsettled, but which demanded settlement at an early day, and in the proper settlement of which all men, of whatever party or section were vitally concerned.

both the pro and the con of such questions would be laid before the readers, each one of whom, it was confidently expected, would thereby become better prepared to judge for himself in the matter. The publications would be carried forward in a spirit of absolute fairness and impartiality. No effort would be made to give undue prominence to any proposed reform.

No reasonable effort would be spared to lay before the readers the very best that can be said in favor of any proposed reform. Arrangements had been perfected with any of the ablest writers of that day, both in Canada and in the United States, to contribute to the series.

If it was true, that every man could be eloquent about matters which he perfectly understands, it may be fairly assumed that the reform leaders of the country could write both entertainingly and instructively, each on his own chosen topic. In his special line of investigation each contributor to "Live Questions" was a power in the land; hence their joint efforts could not fail to interest the general mass of the readers.

It would be observed that, in substance at least, Professor Crunden made the broad and sweeping assertion that change was the natural law of society. He thus boldly casts the whole burden of proof upon those who claim under the existing order of things.

They say one of the very best things to be said of a live question was that it had at least two sides, and we cannot expect to arrive at the truth without giving a candid hearing to both. That was precisely what they believed in 1896. And we should all believe in today.
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