The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-01-27

a D1fRERBNI EANtbONAES
why ts France the much sought
home OF the artist. the scientist. the
student ana the Hserakeur? Solely be-
cause bath government and people pay
homage to genius: because both gov
eminent and people encourage and
stimulate art. music. science, invention
and al who devote themselves to intel
lectual advertisement: because France
recognizes that there are higher and
nobler pursuits than money-seeking
and mDney-saying: that nations: IKE
individuals. shrink intellectually In
direct ratio to the development OF the
acuuisitiye instinct.
In France the pursuit Of money u
not the crowning end OF human en-
deavor. The French people do not fall
down and worship the golden calf.
They recognize that there ID much OF
truth in the saying that the value the
Almighty places on wealth - best
shown by the sort of men he allows 20
acquire II. A man who invents some-
thing beautiful or usefM. who paints .
iine picture. writes great play or
strong story. or who. like Pasteur. dis
covers something to alleviate suffering
and to save human lives, Is recognized
az q public benefactor and honOred OF.
higher, has more consideration shown
him and Ia looked upon with much
more respect than q successful specu-
lator on the Bourse or the selfish mon
ey-grabber elsewhere.
This country needs to create such an
environment. It Is found here and
there locally. There are places and
people who do not measure the value
Of men by their wealth. inherited or
self-accumulated; where the newly
rich are not suffered to push aside the
talented and learned: where intellect
and genius receive just recognition and
where man is judged by what he has
accomplished for society, government
and humanity rather than by the
amount OF gold he has been able to
spirit Is needed. AS people we are
surfeited with details of the doings OF
the millionaire. Dives and his ,occu-
pations load the telegraph wires. while
descriptions Of the dresses and doings
of his wife and daughters occupy the
major portion Of our so-called journals
Of society
Such conditions are not conducive to
mental growtA. to literary develop
ment. to scientific research: they do not
stimulate ambition to serve humanity
nor do they point q way to civic honor.
or political success. which is emo
bling to the seeker or wor.hily won
when attained. As result OF the
French attitude toward men who work
for years to add something to the safe
ty and well being OF mankind. thous-
ands Of her young men are toiling
along converging ;ines. eager ana win
ing to endure hardships and hunger,
poverty and obscurity for the sake
happy OF winning at the end. not an
enormous fortune, hut what is far more
gratifying to the self-respecting. the
justly earned the plaudits of an earnest
and appreciative people We shall not
rival France In arts. letters and sci
ence until we create here an environ
ment which shall foster and further de-
veiopment on intellectual lines. call
forth the best abilities and most unset
fish qualities OF the people, and confer
honors only upon those who have
earned them. This Is the glory OF
France. through which, more than
aught else, she inspires and holds the
passionate love of her sons