The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1884-01-29
oLet the Money Flow

'Let TIC money EtONs
To the Editor Of the Dispatch:
The above was the caption Of an editorial
in the Washington Post OF the 18th in
slant. Comment on this piece in the Post
would Justify the quotation OF the whole Of
its article, but we extract one paragraph,
which will serve as key to the crude phi
losophy it teaches: About the only hope
full feature OF the present situation is that
most Of those who have money are spend
ing il grandly. If Mr.. Vanderbilt would
take our advice, he would give a seventy
five-thousand-colar ball every week. The
same TO the miniature VanderbiItS in Wash
ington. On with the dance. Keep the
plirse-strings united. Let your money ont
among the people," And part of another:
ave cannot condemn that which results
in so much good"
Was ever such unbushing language her.
aided from respectable print as commend
able philosophy in morals! and uttered in
Washington, where the temptation to pop
uiar iudulgences has debauched and ruined
so many eloquent and promising young
representatives OF the people till the rela-
tives and friends OF these gallant politi-
clans sigh with distrust OF the cOnse-
guences OF their residence at the national
capital.
1t has come to be saying that few of
the many sent to Washington come home
again untainted by the demoraliZing effects
of the excessive social pleasuring of that
city. On with the dance. attracting the at
tention of some good citizens, occasioned
their remonstrance. When 10 the Post.
on being appealed TO to lend its aid in dis
cOuntenancing this passion for feastiDg and
frolic. boldly announced its advocacy OF
it and the discovery of virtue in the prodi-
cal habits OF the wealthy, il their money
NAV in this way reach tie poor. Is wealth
crime, that we may encourage its possession
to violate the laws OF decency aud good
example that their riches may thus be
reached by the poor, who in return must aid
in debauching their fellow-citizens? Are
the poor to be regarded as so Gnfeeling and
utterly indifferent to vices that they may
profit by promoting those indulgencies in
Others for which they should feel q sense OF
shames May not they conceive them
catching, and those very earnings OF rich
mems money be turned INTO equally grace
less uses, and their dear children become in
time the victims of that fashionable de.
bauchery that the Post desires should
sweep over the country that " the money
may fiow"y
The miser is 4 thousand times 10 be pre-
ferred to the spendthrift. His money is
harmless even il he hoard il up forever.
II money lose its use, we shall still make
bread. The trouble is rather that too many
have quit the fields OF production, and
while the Post need not fear the rich will
not spend their money, 1t should hope that
they will spend it judiciously. Capital
cannot afford to be idle, and the artisans
have already got their mortgage on every
dollar OF 1t. In some enterprise or other
1t will he put in motion, and the laborer
existing moves it. Otherwise 1t would not
move. 1t is he that gives it energy.
But who is to grace these vOluptuaries &c
Washington Certainly it is calculated
that the members OF Congress will be the
guests, whoever may ''let the money
fiow." Thus the Democratic pledges OF
economy OF the public treasure and pro-
lection Of the national interest will be
thrown to the winds. The rich are not
fools. to be sociable without motive. A
fellow-citizen may have few relations or
dear friends at his table occasionally, and
have pleasure IN seeing them relish his
wines; but state dinners and grand de-
partment bl0w.outs given by rich Repub.
icans OF Democrats are not utterly disin.
terestcd and foolish. There Is a baited
hook In each glass, and the good-hearted
and generous natured are easiest caught.
We could pour out yials OF bitter indig-
nation on this foreman OF Democracy, The
Post, for the needless sentiments he has
announced; but we forbear. The writer,
whoever he be. owes I'm apology to both
the rich and the poor and to the general
public. And yet there is still higher re-
sponsibility, take 1t, In the dissemination
OF such sentiments. Because | am poor
and have need TO labor, should not be
expected to look for compensation for pro-
m)iing vice. Let this not be imputed 10
The poor, who can appreciate virtue In the
rich as well as In themselves. Economy
and prudence IRE alike virtuous and he.
coming in the rich as we'll as the poor.
Good fortune loans us riches, but will not
condone our misuse OF them. G..