In an address to Congress in 1852, President Millard Fillmore discussed the development of the nation as it approached the end of its first century. A quick peek at the date will show that the nation was about to undergo a lot of change – some of it economic and some social. In his presentation, President Fillmore stated, “It is not strange, however much it may be regretted, that such an exuberance of enterprise should cause some individuals to mistake change for progress and the invasion of the rights of others for national prowess and glory.”. I have to be honest with you, I don’t sit around reading Millard Fillmore’s speeches, but I recently came across an abridged version of this statement that summarized his thoughts into, “It is not strange … to mistake change for progress.”. It was that version of this selection that got my attention. One thing for certain about our world is that it is going to change. We can’t help it. Yet, the question we must ask is does our change equate to progress? Just because we change something, does that make it better?
It has been over a century and a half since President Fillmore’s observations, but we must continue to ask the question. Are we changing things in true progress or are were merely exchanging one set of problems for another? Let’s use our knowledge and our wisdom to move forward – not just in technology or enterprise but in morality as well.
Think About It!