The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1894-06-11
Famous Lawyers Favor City /.


IN reply to the very many letters of in
Quiry sent out to prominent men in every
walk of life asking for opinions on this
subject, only three notes came declaring
in favor OF CITY birth ana breeding. Two CT
these were from the two lawyers inquired
Of. Frederic i. Coudert, one OF the most
eloquent orators in the land, and one of the
two men who acted as counsel Tor the
United States during the Behring sea arbi-
tration, wrote
Il do not hesitate 10 say that my opinion
IS decidedly in favor Of city breeding for
young men. Urbanity, in it's literal sense,
cannot, OF course be acquired elsewhere
than in the city, nor can 1t be secured in
its best sense and with equal facility else
where. The young man bred III the city,
and with good moral influences about him,
takes in by friction, and, as 1t Were,
through the pores, an Invaluable stock OF
knowledge. His opportunity OF acquiring
learning is uneQualed, and if he has any
ability in him, the atmosphere in which
he lives is sure to develop it III the right
direction. There is no better tutor than
daily intercourse with refined and intelli-
gent men and women, and these you find
naturally in the largest quantity and best
quality in great cities. There are eX-
ceptions to this rule as to every other. But
the men who seem TO teach By their lives
and experience d different lesson would
probably have been quite as great if, from
their early youth, tncy had enjoyed the
fun sunshine OF intellectual surroundings.
81 r. COUDERT."
Edward Lauterbach, among the foremost
corporation Iawyers Of the country, wrote:
"The cOslnopolitauism of great cities, the
opportunity Of observing, the superior eliu-
ca tional facilities and the example OF great
activity are few among the thousand ad-
vantages Of urban life. The better physical
culture simple food absence Of many temp
tations are, perhaps, only some of the ad-
vantages of rural life. Personally 1 know
but little of the delights of the country. /
revel IN the brick and mortar amid which
[ was born, and surrounded by which l
have been reared.
EDWARD LAUTERBACH."
The third endorsement Of city breeding
came from Rev. Or. David II. Greer, pastor
OF ST. Bartholomew's, New York, one of
the richest ana most influential churches in
the world. He wrote:
AN urban environment is, in my judg-
ment, both more stimulating and healthful
than a rural DAVID II. GREER
What 10000 Geographic Teach.
Perhaps no person has a broader birds
eye view of the effect of environment on
successful men than the editor of Apple
IONS Encyclopedia of American Biography.
Nineteen thousand biographies are covered
in the work, and with them all he is famil-
lar to an extent that seems incredible to
an outsider. He analyses what they seem
10 him to teach concerning environment,
follows:
"Accuteness, sharpness, knowledge of the
world are developed better by the friction
ana competition of city life. What city life
does not develop, however, but usually i'm
pairs. is stamina. 1t often happens, there
fore that after one or two generations of
city life, exclusively in cities, the stock is
weakened and It is necessary TO 80 back to
the soil for reinvigora ton. 4 general APP
plication Of this rue-going Back to the
Soils impossible, however, for the fact
that we have stated has been tacitly recog-
nized by Americans and country or outdoor
life of one kind or another is playing a
more important part in the lives of residents
of cities. Thus the balance is kept even.
Put III it's simplest form, the country boy
in the city will be outstripped at first, but
in many cases he has greater staying
mower His children, however, will have
less. If they are kept in the city. The best
material in business or the professions is
country stock developed by city experience
and most OF the successful men in the
cities have the country behind them. X is
to the influence of country life under
stood at present that q very large part of
the force OF the younger generation in the
cities is due. In the term country life
should be included the outdoor sports and
summer outings, which are now generally
within the reach Of city boys. In a way,
the fable of Antaeus answers the question"