Sifting Through the Sands of Time from the Courier Archives

155 Years Ago May 4, 1854 Intellectual Progress Wherever we turn our eyes upon the world, wherever man is found we observe two great conflicting principles; and the history of the race has been but the recital of their alternative triumphs and defeats. It requires but a slight acquaintance with this history to convince us that however various has been the fortunes of the conflict, the revolutions of empires, the rise and fall of systems of philosophy, the flourish and decay of civilization have worked out the great truths which either by the magnificence of the instrumentality by which they were enveloped, or their great practical importance, have become so woven into the fabric of society that they are as familiar as household words; so intimate as to seem well nigh inborn--This we call progress--the triumph of truth over error, of light over darkness & liberty over oppression. It does not necessarily imply that discovery of truth absolutely new to the human understanding, a pure spontaneous product of it, but rather the instituting of such relations between it, and the human mind as to become an element in a great plan and system of development, a fold in its unfolding.

The close & accurate observer cannot but discover, that however uncertain at times the advancement there has been a gradual recovery from the chaos of the fall, a more firm and abiding foothold upon the truth. Discoveries in science and philosophy have been so numerous and startling, that it well nigh seems as though man were to subdue the elements and triumph over destiny. Standing upon the mount of six thousand years experience he has wrought vast problems which bid fair to revolutionize the world, and grasping with a giant's power the great chain of its history, fetter down the mystery of the future and with its Promethean torch light up her dark and shadowy vale in everlasting day.

100 Years Ago 2 May 6, 1909 Governor Advises Killing

Frankfurt KY-- Fight the enemy with his own fire is the method that Governor Willson advised the independent growers of tobacco in Kentucky to adopt in their struggles against the Night Riders. Piles of letters are stacked on his desk, the Governor says, from tobacco growers asking whether they must pool their tobacco or whether they will receive proection from the militia if they do not pool it.

"Organize liberty leagues and kill the nocturnal invaders," is the advice that the Governor gives. In a statement Governor Willson says that no man should pool his tobacco unless he wants to, and that he will pardon any man who resorts to arms to protect his home. The situation was intense and the crisis for the independents or the organization men was expected.

It was declared in some quarters that the statement given out will mean the failure of the pool.