New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-06-09
SOME OF The RECOMPENSES.

All who are convinced that the world is gov
erned by an ah-gOOd, sll-wise and ali-poWefiuI
ruler are bound to believe that every event II
bepefcently ordered But so implicit taith
rs this is not essential to the recognition OF
MANY concentrations even in such catastrophe
as the Conemaugh food First Of all, it seems
to be necessary that mankind should learn "''e"
every little while that the laws OF the lna'eri'
universe cannot be neglected with lmpuhiT'
Every fresh experience which teaches ho"
easily this Fundamental fact is forgotten serves
as a sharp reminder that chaos would cohe
AGAIN IL the race were not from time to tame
brouobt face TO face with an overwhelming
realization Of It. II fiimsy buildings stood hrm
or collansed and weak dams held or broke by
some blind chance; if honest construction were
no guarantee of stability, and dishonest Slaih
were "a likely as not to escape exposure eAiS'-
ence would be nbearable, or rather NEON
ceivabIe. The first lesson TO be learned from
the devastation of the food is that penalty foi-
lows transcression The Conemaugh dam gave
way because one or more persons were willing
70 risk the consequences of criminal neglect or
criminal ignorance.
In one sense such lessons are never iearnee'
Death and destruction will continue To lie In
wait for victims the world over in spite Oh tho
appalling warning which has been given. bu'
though never completely and finally learned
these teachings really enter largely into the
plans az men. and contribute constantly to hui
man safety and progress. They raise the aver
age of knowledge, foresight and conscientious
ness, and, consequently, improve the circuh-
stances Of human existence. No single strNthre'
for example, may be made perfect OF its KIND
as the direct and exclusive result OF the recent
disaster, but the warning Of that disaster Will
be worked, In greater or less degree, into tho
framework OF ten thousand structures.
stall more patent, il not more potent, lesson
which the calamity has taught is the vast store
of sympathy and helpfulness in human hearts
We sometimes think that the world is growing
selfish and ignoble, that the capacity Tor sact1-
fee and herOism has diminished almost 10 tne
vanishing point, and that the true picture OF the
future is picture Of fierce competition with the
few fighting their way 10 supremacy ana tue
many going to the wall. But when an emergency
like the present comes another picture Is TO
yealed to the eyes and consciousness OF all
We see millions at work for thousands ana inc
sense of human nobility and brotherhood be-
comes even 10 the most afflicted partial com
pensation for sorrow aud suffering. hundred
incidents are eloquent Of self sacrifice. Inc
operator who chung to her instrument warning
others until il was too late TO help herself the
parents whose last hope was to save their chill
dren. the brother and sister each refusing 70
be rescued before the other; the numb erieSS
proofs which even death could not obliteraoe
that the latest choice was self denial the unrc'
wsrded labor of the men and women who are
now bringing order out Of chaos and health out
of corruption in the stricken valley the long
procession Of the poor who are glad TO make
themselves poorer by gifts to those who are
poorer stiIl-all these are elements and illustra
tons of the rocompense which is never wanting
amid the wreck of human hopes and earthly