Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-12-04

Juat Al Congress has assembled and
the President has sent to that body his
annual message may be as opportune occa-
sion for reminding our readers that u Is
possible our republic has not yet weatn-
cred all the storms which may threaten
its perpetuity. In the Forum for Octo-
Der. President Eliot. OF Harvard Uni
vcrsity. undertakes TO answer the inter-
rogatory. Can this republic stand the
test Of timer. lie singles out all the
features OF greatness associated with the
historic republics and seeks TO show that
they entirely failed to give perpetuity to
that form OF government. His argument
on this point Is epitomized by the New
York Journal Of Commerce as follows:
"The intellectual greatness OF Greece
made her the parent or Ideals IN ART.
literature, philosophy, and poetry for all
the succeeding generations; yet the ex-
ample of Athens demonstrates that these
things cannot Of themselves safeguard
republic Rome has been pre-eminent
among the nations for her creation OF
noble system OF Jurisprudence, for her
organization OF military force, for her
achievements In conquest. for the FOUND
Ing of colonies and the construction oil
great public works; yet these Crane
qualifications Of national prissance failed
10 prevent the fall OF the Roman republic.
Rome teaches concusively that magnl-
tude and splendor Of public works have
no tendency to guarantee the permanence
| Of a State Venice, with Its splendors OF
architecture and painting. Its vast COM
merce and wealth. and Its great military
power teaches how little these forms OF
greatness contribute TO the permanence
| of a government
Equally. the binding force arising from
| the enthusiasm of great racial or national
| religions has failed to perpetuate the
governments fostering them. whether re-
publican or monarchical. Hence, Mr.
| Eliot concludes-'great public powers
| splendid arts, noble literature, widespread
commerce, and exalted religious sent-
ment have all failed TO secure the con-
| tinuance OF States
Our New York contemporary says that
President Eliot shows profound political
wisdom when ne undertakes to answer
| the question, where are we to look TOT
more Trustworthy safeguards OF perma-
nance? and tells us to direct our aim 70
"the achievement OF general, dinused
physical well-being," or 1.-The promotion
| of diffused happiness and the carefui
avoidance Of all causes of social discon-
tent. But we confess that to us the
answer seems to be entirely unsatisfac-
tory. When we shall have achieved the
objects named and shall have avoided
all the causes OF social discomfort, we
shall have accomplished all that we snail
be likely to undertake.; but how we are
to achieve "dffused happiness and gen
eral physical well-being" is the prop
lem we have set out to solve. But here
are President Eliots own words. and MS
summary Of his suggestions:
These. then, are some OF the new prin-
cip,es and forces which make for the
permanence Of the republic: federation IN
religion: general education; better domes-
tic relations; attention to the means OF
public health and pleasure; publicity; cor
poration service; increased mutual de-
pendence of man on man, and therewith
a growing sense of brotherhood and unity;
the greater hopefulness and cheerfuiness
OF mems outlook on man, the earth, the
universe. and God; and, hnally. the
changing objects and methods OF religion
and its institutions"
But still the difficulty Is to secure these
objects. BE good Is good advice, but
1t Is nothing but advice.