The Wichita daily eagle., 1893-12-15
NO PERMANENT EXCUSE FOR HUN
GER.

The saddest story of life is that of
poverty and want. That human being
should suffer for the actual necessities of
life awakens the deepest sympathy and
prompts US to our best deeds of
benevolence. 1t is here we lay aside
our tendencies toward caste. and recog-
nize that to every one is due the simple
elements necessary to sustain life. Here
we put away, for the time being, the
just rule that Sin the sweat of thy brow
shalt thou eat bread" and first divide Of
our store with the unfortunate, and con-
slider the question of merit afterward.
Even the vicious and wilfully idle ap-
peal to our sympathy, and we gladly
hand out a morsel, knowing it is a
premium on idleness, if not on actual
aid to crime. Probably the best explana-
tion to this is the human instinct Hav-
ing Uncommon the same appetitesand the
same requirements to the support of life,
the beggar's appeal would be the ex-
pressed desire of our own nature if re-
duced to like condition. Like all God
given attributes, this should be nurtured
and kept as an ever burning flame. 1t
is. perhaps, the indissolable tie which
unites all our hopes and aspirations-th
golden link which holds penury and
affluence as common qualities.
That these conditions should exist in a
land of plenty, and in the midst of
bountiful harvests, Is IN no wise COM
pllmentary 10 our intelligence. The
partial yield of the past two years is no
excuse for suffering. This is fully
answered in the fact that we have sur
plus, and the most we could claim is
that that surplus is reduced in quantity.
1t points conclusively TO a weak spot
ia economic conditions. Wide as the
difference may he as to the cause of
these conditions it mnst be admitted
that here lies the responsibility. 1t may
be relieved. in part. by legislation, or by
a different social relation. 1t might be
by the establishment of new markets, or
new maritime channels Of trade Any
or all of these would require time and
the risks attending an experiment.
Meanwhile the millions go hungry, and
human life, at any cost, must he sus-
tanned.
The one effective remedy lies within
reach of every healthy man and woman,
i. G. the habit of industry. This raises
the protest that work cannot be obtain
ed in times like the present. Granted,
but this is true only for time Who can
expect that "the world owes them
a living while they choose the location
and kind of employment. This, carried
out, would locate the entire popu-
lation at the points most favorable in
climate and established social connec-
tons. 1t Is not always pleasant
to break up family relations and seek
home hundred Of miles away. 1t calls
for no little self-denial for the artisan to
that which he has learned to
do well, and take up an occupation
which he can only hope to pursue in an
indifferent manner; yet, such are the
laws which govern commerce that it
often becomes necessity.
Along this line, and with the facts
daily before Us, we can truthfullv pre-
sent the undeveloped resources of the
west. The millions of untitled acres, so
rich in the elements necessary to sustain
life, lie as a mute testimony that there
is no permanent excuse for hunger.
What remains is to adopt the means for
bringing these more than willing hands
TO the scene of action, that they NAV
have the privilege of earning support.
1t is idle to object on the ground that
farming does not pay. We have visible
proof that it does. How many, from
the denseiy populated portions of
Europe, where the problem of a bare
existence is difficult one, have grown
TO independence and even affluence on
the products of Kansas soil?
If in the multiplicity of devices for re-
lieving the wants of the poor in the
great eastern cities, il could be arranged
to supply few acres of our surplus
land for their use and ownership. it
would provide the means, at once the
most speedy and permanent, for the
exercise of that most sacred of all rights
the right to earn a livelihood.