New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-10-22
NEW ORLEANS REPUBLICAN, SUNDAY, OCTOBER o. 1875

fruits the tree of knowledge bears. Neces
sity suggested houses for shelter, as vel
as clothes for protection against the ele
ments, and they both came in time. Blu
the first houses were mere huts or caves
as the first clothes were the substituted
skins of wild animals captured in thu
chase. The wigwam of the savage ane
the cave of the recluse are initial letters
in the alphabet of architecture-rudt
efforts to supply demand which is uni
versal, and which, in later times, gave te
advancing civilization its stately domes
and palatial structures.
We do not intend, however, to trace up
the history of architecture, but rather the
influence of home on character, and OF
houses on homes.
1t requires no argument to prove that
the more enduring our places OF abode
the deeper the home impressions they in
part. The hut that is to be the abiding
place of family for but a week or
| month, can not be considered as home
| in the dearer sense of that most sacred
word. Wandering tribes have little if
| any of those home feelings and home
virtues which elevate human life above
the plane of mere animal existence and
constitute the grand cementing agent Of
communities.
The Old World is perhaps more unlike
the new in the character of its houses
than in aught else. In Europe the people
build for time, if not for eternity. The
older their houses the better they are
liked. Where the traditions of centuries
cluster round them, even ungainly ingles
assume an esthetic type and give new
values to the homes of which they form
part 1t is significant of either greater
skill on the part Of builders, greater care
in the selection of materials, or greater
vigilance on the part of occupants, that
houses in Europe are more durable than
ours. In European cities devouring con-
fiagrations are of rare occurrence; in
American cities they are the rule rather
than the exception. Every days news
paper has its column devoted to ''the fire
6end's doings," and the loss of property
is not unfrequently attended by a direful
loss of life.
Such facts are by no means indicative
of that practical wisdom for which the
American people have filed their caveat.
They are neither profitable in material
nor in social sense. Our buildings are
too frail to teach those enduring home
lessons which, as the members of a great
political community, We are all interested
in having taught. Indeed, they are too
frail to afford the physical protection that |
We need.
The report of the Massach usetts COM
missioner of insurance for 1872 shows
losses for that year within the limits of |
the Union, amounting to no less than
one hundred and eighty eight millions of |
dollars. The previous year had been even
more disastrous. Now these details.
though exceptional, are exceedingly sug-
,estive as to our annual losses by fire, for
even though much of the losses are COW
ered by insurance, they are real losses
1eyertheless-a destruction Of values
which diminishes the national aggregate
If wealth, disturbs business relations, and
yeakens those home associations, the en-.
Of which should become
liked part Of our national policy. Such
osSes, as the Insurance Chronicle Justly
observes, should command "the serious
of the public economist, and
AN not be omitted from any just estimate
# the country's condition and ability"
They are drain upon our national re-
ources, which, if not checked, must
ventually prove exhaustive. And, then,
ust think of the number of lives yearly
acrifced by the burning of theatres,
hurches, factories and public buildings
Every consideration which can be
rought to bear upon this matter-pru-
ence, humanity, self-interest, the spirit
f true enterprise, and that public veal
'hich is all-embracing in its scope
hould urge reform in the manufacture of
be houses we live in. Better Care
abin with security than palace as dan
erOuS as powder mapazine.