The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-12-21
MODERN CITILlZiTTON.
Some of Its Unfamiliar Aspects and De-
ductions Therefrom.

> inc OF lis I n1Nm1lltf Aspects ana It-
ductions Tberefrom.
We read hear. and talk a great deal
about the advanced civilization Of this
century. From the stump the platform.
and the pulpit. it's triumphs and marvels
are perpetually lauded.
We read about II in the volumes OF our
literature, and in the columns Of our
newspapers. a subject that repetition APP
parently fails to make tiresome. Nor is
il surprising when we consider the ad-
vantages. comforts. and facilities We owe
TO II, benefits that greatly enhance the
security. ease. and Independence of life.
Nevertheless an old and familiar adage
tells us that every rose has it's thorn
"A terse and pretty way OF stating that
there is no earthly good Invested OF its
incidental faint and imperfection.
Observation and experience both bear
witness that this is true. nor does such
test Of its truth in anywise fail when APP
piled to this modern civilization of which
so much has been written and said. To
begin. then. let us reckon up the cost of
bringing the genesis of this civilization
across the sea 10 this fair land of ours.
II is notorious fact that whenever and
wherever the white man has advanced
and planted his civilization in strange
lands and among alien peoples, it has
usually been 10 the detriment, often to
the ruin and extinction of the people
visited.
The history OF the invasion and acqus-
ton of both North and South America
by Europeans Is a story OF violence, rob
berry and bloodshed, from beginning to
end Neither Cortez. Pizarro, nor the
English and Dutch. who gained a foot
Lat al
scruples interpose 20 prevent them from
seizing and holding as much territory as
their limited forces but greatly superior
arms rendered feasible.
The rights Of the dark-skinned native.
the fact that he was ousted out Of home,
country. and livelihood. seem 10 have
been considerations too trihing TO be
worth the notice Of his civilized con-
queror.
Though the English acquisition Of East
Indian Territory Is by no means free
from blcmishes OF similar character. II
differs in this respect. that while Raiahs,
Nawabs. and Begums were despoiled Of
power. lands, and treasure. the mass Of
the people were not only unmoested, but
so fostered and protected that the hum
blest ryot is as secure i'm the possession
Of his rice field. as any English squire In
the title TO his acres I'm Cumberland or
Yorkshire.
In short. the Importation Of the white
mans civilization 10 these and to many
other lands was az the cost Of bloodshed,
loss and suffering immeasurable TO people
who neither wanted the white mans
civilization. nor We're adapted to, nor
benefited by IT,
And now comes the question. IS this
very much developed civilization Of this
nineteenth century. after all, such an alb
solute, unmixed blessing?
The affirmative side Of this question
IS OF course the strongest, that in be-
half Of which most can be said, neverthe-
less there are pleas for the other side,
too.
For the much-vaunted civilization of
this century and epoch. no iouht, much,
very much. may fairly and Justly be claim
ed. yet It is by no means an unmitigated
good
That "every rose shall have its thorn
seems 10 be a law Of desting that can
neither be evaded nor ignored.
As civilization developed and advanced
II brought self-generated evils i'm its train.
evils which though not commensurate
with its benefits, are real enough and
serious enough 10 cancel any color Of inn
pertinence or superfiuity that might other
wise attach 20 such question.
That the wants and necessities Of men
have been increased, and diversified as
civilization ripcned and progressed Is.
I believe and accepted and generally re-
,ognized fact. and too. pari passu' me
cost and difficulty Of living. To cite in
stances and go into particulars would
lake our pen too far afeld Tor the limits
Of an article like this.
NJ rnra1 tunes and mOll- 4
fcations OF disease have made their ap-
oearance with the new conditions 10
which they are due
one Of the most conspicuous features Of |
his advanced. and progressive civiliza-
ion is an abnormal tendency 10 live at |
much higher pressure than formerly.
Nineteenth century life, mofe pdrticu |
arly the life OF this It's latter half. is a |
ife Of strain. push. and hurry Men prac- |
ically order their lives as II they are |
,acked to live against time, 10 crowd |
nto each day. hour and minute the utter
most possible OF business. pleasure, or |
whatever their brains or hands find 10 |
10.
Consequently. existence is a perpetual |
hurry. a chronic strain, under lash and
pur Men urge II haven't time" as a |
lea i'm excuse n hundred times. where
hey prefer any other once Leisure /
nd elaboration arr becoming obsolete
ieas in theory and practice Go ahead"
5 an ever recurring exhortation, but
take your time" a monition rarely audi
lie
The foregoing observations are more
distinctly applicable 10 the people of
his country than 10 any other nationall-
y.
These conditions Of habtuai hurry OF
ustained pressure are operating sensibly
nd periodically upon the nerves and
rains OF this nation. Where people were
ormerly Intellectual. they are nowadays
lentally sharp and wire-edged with an
increased tendency 10 dementia.
Observant foreigners are often impress
a with the nervousness OF Americans,
nd the restless fdgetty propensity, OF
lr people. The experience and observa-
on OF medical men. too, concur as 10
he increase OF nervous diseases.
Nervous dyspepsia, nervous prostration,
ervous this. that, the other, maladies
arely heard OF nifty years back are -