The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-10-29


OF contract and sensitive as to CONNER
ciaI integrity and keenly jealous OF ma
tionai honor. Great as our nation may
actually b., 1t is not powerful enough to
warrant II In ignoring its own proper
relations 10 other nations. All countries
OF the globe need our Republic and we
need them. The whole tendency CT this
age is toward the closer companionship
of different peoples and not toward isola-
tion. The solidarity Of the whole race ~
constantly coming into greater promi-
nence
~. A Chrjstian view OF the present
crisis must convince US that the distur-
bsnces so severely affecting our people.
paraiyzing industries, throwing laborors
out OF employ ment. distressing millions
of worthy persons in all sections OF the
land. are not wholly due TO any one
political party, cannot all be laid to the
door OF tariff or free trade, the gold
standard or bad legislation respecting
the coinage OF silver. Doubtless these
are all responsible for much OF our
trouble. Iet these are transient and
chsDgeable elements, depending upon
something deeper for whatever influence
they may have. There are great natural
laws, persistent and perpetual in
their oporetioni great economic
forces, unalterable in their func-
tiors; great moral order as
immutable as the throne of God. These
eternal principles which in their last an
alysis are ethical principles, must be
reckoned with. To these, man must
learn TO adjust his legislation, his indus
tries. his social, domestic and personal
affairs. The Ten Commandments have
not Teen repealed. The Sermon on the
Mount and the Golden Rule furnish
basis for the establishment OF a state
founded in justice and mutual recogni-
tion of duties and q mutual regard for all
rights. When men are so touched by the
Christ-spirit that they are willing to sur
render some OF their legal rights for the
relief of others, and have hearts OF SYM
pathy for suffering, the burdens of sooiety
will be more evenly distributed. some
weeks ago | wrote TO friend in the dis
tant West quite long letter upon pollti-
| cal issues. In it asked kindly this ques-
tion: "Do you think you would favor
tree silver, IL you had hslf q million dol
lars in Eastern securities? This Is his
answer: "Most emphatically, yes. You
do not kdow me or you would never
have asked me such question. Csnoidiy,
did not know him. For had not the
remotest idea that he would do as he tells
me he did, in the following: He says:
"When the reaction set in here, owing to
financial depression, i held tens of thous-
ands OF dollars in zotes. Not one man
or woman have l sued, or In any way
oppressed. In many instances have / re-
turned their notes and decided to them
the proportion. OF property their cash
payments representei. In instances of
certain kinds we gave deeds for the
amounts paid ana returned unpaid notes,
though only two.tnirds of the purchase
pIics had been paid. When times grew
harder, consulted my partner and we
reduced the rent to the merchants against
whom we held leases for five years, and
that. without their solicitation. TO me
ward OF 5000. As the situation grew
more slarming, / consulted my good and
faithful wife, and we decided 10 make
mortgages to every one who held notes
against us. and thus voluntarily secured
them. We started in on the theory that
the burdens should be distributed as
nearly as possible, though we learned
hat sfxa arati ION
was not shown us; so, we shall probably
lose ell our accumulatiuns. And yet ali is
not lost, for we have the consciousness of
having done WHIST we thought just and
right, without tesortiu. TO strictly legal
course. ! hope / shall never place
hi gher estimate on gold than / do on
man, even If 1t be the other man and not
myself" This may be basiness folly, but
that 1t will result in magnificent en-
riching OF character i cannot doubt.
Against this same man and his partner
Holland bank held notes TO the
amount of s55, co., secured by about
900, 600 worth of real estate. I hey could
not pay the interest and were threatened
with foreclosure. He says, "I offered to
deed them all the property without cost
IL they would LET me have building lot
| out OF the list for home. They reiusen.
offered then 10 deed half the property
il they would give reasonable time on
the balance Tbey answered mo- Well,
what will YOU dc? 'We Will take deed
for tho whole list and rent you the
home How much rent? 'Seventy-five
dollars a month'-just three times what
| il IL worth. They decided to foreclose,
bid the property IN for less than the
claim and take deficiency judgment,
charge 5000 attorney fees, which cost
them less tnnn 900. 1t is the law, how
ever, and l must rot complain. About
two millions OF dollars have gone out of
our church alone in this way. Our men,
bers are poorer, yet, trust, wiser. We
do not believe in population" What
contrast between the spirit Of this man
and his oppressorsl If his whole lifa