The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-04-10
Henry Watterson Speaks on
Money and Morals.
HIS LECTURE WELL RECEIVED.
The Eminent Kentuckian, Statesman,
Orator and Editor Entertains
Critical Audience.

surprised at the manner in which veteran
editor, familiar with human nature and a
thousand and one things besides, can enter
tain people. Mr.. Watterson himself must
have felt complimented at the warm greet
ing accorded him, and the appreciation
shown by large number OF critical Cali
fornlans. The hall was comfortably, filled.
and among those present were several
prominent politicians, economists and men
Of figures. statistics and the like.
There was large sprinkling of ladies'
among these wiseacres, if the ladies were
not in the majority. But the hard-set
statistical minded were disappointed, be-
cause the lecture was sparkling discourse
full of charming cOlOrlDg, with humor and
pathos thrown in with much common sense
and effective oratory.
Money and Morals" was the subject of
Mr.. Watterson's address. TO appreciate
how really entertaining such question
can be made it would be necessary to hear
him speak and to feel the effect of his
eloQueDce.
Judge w. w. Morrow introduced the
speaker in pleasant way by referring to
an old friendship form ed in Washington
and saying many complimentary things
about his friend. Mr.. Watterson arose
and bowed after the in PRODUCTION and the
audience kept him bowling for few min
utes to their applause.
II want to talk TO you tonight as
patriot and not as PARTISAN" he said at
the beginning. Then he went on to say
there are two sides to every question. and
he believed as rule men are nearest to
be in the wrong when positive they are
right.
Take the map of North America" he
said. Behold what an empire! See how
t., Pol apf al n n rfh
star; how il Journeys il vestibule trains
and palace coaches. What wealth is here
to elevate the mind and make us love our
country and ourselves. In peace and war
the progress of a people who have revolu-
iionzed the new world and put the old to
blush. Is there anything to mar the pros
pect. TO obstruct our ID arch of triumph as
a nation? | answer there is"
Then changing TO the question OF
money, he said: Money is relative and it
is very relative. The man who has mil
lion dollars is of small account in compari-
son with the man with 100 millions. There
are men who in money centerS exc out
scant livelihood on $4,000. and yet
might find many people who get along Oh
half that sum. Money is relative. From
the capitalist to the young fellow behind
the counter, who makes 81 week by
selling prints and playing baseball on
Sunday, prince and peasant have felt the
influence of that.golden rod. No man can
afford to leave il out of his account 1t is
the one thing universally used and abused,
coveted and reviled. For my own part
I'm sometimes disposed to thank God that
il is an instrument To an end. | was
never happier in my life. indeed until l
had to borrow money from an uncle with
different political opinions. l preferred to
go with my watch to an uncle who had no
politics at all
eb0 toto m NIB hot MOI
actual bar to heaven. but it is true that
money nine times out OF ten will debar
those who deal in it. The man who deals
in money ofttimes takes little of the
brittleness of the metal he handles. How
few the instances where the possession of
money has improved the mind and en-
Iarged the amplitude of the soul. II is my
belief the world has been misled by the
nisipterpretation of its best maxims.
81 once heard President of the United
States say, Il was q candidate for twenty
years, aud at last l was nominated and
elected, and here l am an old man without
an object Oh EARTH My argument is, we
are constantly fixing our hearts aud hopes
on some of the tangible things in life,
believing that possession of them would
bring happiness. Success in life is happi-
ness. The happiest old man is he who
believes his old wife is the best woman
living. Millions won't save a man from
the tortures of sore toe. The gambling
mania seems to be universal, and the
gambler never dreams he will lose. There
is always before his eyes the mirage of
that grand capital prize in the lottery of
life But what o fatal mistake for man
who lays his hand on dollar that is not
bis own"
He recalled an incident in his early COL
lege days when he was short in his ac-
counts as manager. editor. secretary and
bad combination generally of the college
paper when he found himself short 81 80.
terror ana made clean breast Of it next
day. A friend came TO his relief with SIS
with the admonition: 1T is bad bust
ness there is So; never do it again."
And never did," added the man W no
never did anything worse since than edit
a newspaper.
"Find out nations sin and see there
the DANGER" he continued. Never mind
Asia, Europe. Africa. What is the matter
with America" [Applause.J
us 1t the race question in the South? 1t
Is problem which the most sagaci0us can
not see. | find that l am thrown back
after years of studying on single faith in
God. who doeth all things we'll. Agrarian-
ism can ever reach us.
1.-THE entire stock of trade in both
parties makes up what call mighty small
politics.
II have seen finally the Government
taken ont of the hands of party after
twenty-five years and given into the hands
of another party without as much as
protest. A man who has seen all this
need not lose nights rest over what is
going on in Washington.
1.-THE real danger before us is moral
danger. and it springs directly from the
influence of money on the moral natures
of our people. Put money in thy purse
seems to have become national motto.
1.-THE trail of the trade mark is over
US all.
Honorable poverty seems to have be-
come one of the lost arts. Minds are en-
gagged in building, construction. money
making.
''The young man does not give up his
place for one at Washington that does not
pay, but says: 'Pll make fortune and
then buy seat in the Senate If want it,
1t is queer paradox that in Switzerland
are the poorest aud proudest of PEG pie.
There is the truest form Of JeffersoDian
democracy. Indeed. the Swiss peasant in
his chalet by the mountain side. with just
enough 10 live on and not SOU to spare,
is the happiest in the world. | stand un-
covered before them. There would find
happiness and contentment
with the money standard so high and