The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-05-22

In our own country Where theoretical
equality has saved from some of the
debasing forms of selfishness, there has
been in each new community, from the
shores of Massachusetts bay and the
banks of the James to the great plains
of the west. the long struggle for a bare
existence, which in many cases has SEEM
ed to render US careless as to the legitf-
mate demands of, and obligations to- our
higher natures, when success had given
US ample time and means.
1.-The sacrifice of everything to economy
and utility was perhaps justihable; the
willingness to submit to necessary I'M
pleasant conditions during the struggle
for a foothold was commendable, but
there comes a time in each community
when these cease to be virtues, and when
continued submission indicates decay or
mental blight.
IN our older eastern communities
there has been very marked develop
ment through the era of lavish expendf-
ture for personal. and therefore some
what selfish, comfort, luxury and dis
play. into a period of national municipal
and individual effort towards the educa-
ton and enjoyment of the masses. The
creation of beautiful public buildings, of
art museums, of libraries. of parks, all
practically belonging to the public, seem
to evidence a growing recognition of the
rights of the many against the selfish
enjoyment of the few, and of the impor-
tance of an education into good citizen
ship as against merely the Intelligence
represented by the three RS.
Our poor boys and girls may learn to
read and write and 'fgger,' may even in
du1ge in sciences and languages, but if
they grow up without the civilizing, hum
AIMING influences of beautiful pictures,
good architecture, honest durable con-
struction, the adaptation of the natural
advantages of the landscape into beauti-
full parks, we shall have failed in our
duty to them, and shall have prevented
or delayed the highest possible realiza-
tions for our cities in the years to come.
TO UPLIFT THE COMMUNITY.
ct is not enough that We should have
streets, bridges, stores, houses, stables.
etc, which fill the utilitarian require
ments, but we should remember that
each of them may also be a direct means
for the moral uplifting of the commune
ty The best impression is not made
by the city of radical extremes. Great
magnifcence suffers from enforced COM
parison with contiguous squalor and
filth. It is much easier for the bad or
weak in morals, art or science to pull the
higher down to its level than for the up
lifting process to attain even a good
average.
Communities are still common where
pretentious houses are surrounded by
rough fences, where the cheap stable is
out of harmony with the dwelling, where
the ash and manure heap are too much
in evidence It should be borne in mind
that in our municipal and domestic con-
struction and establishment the one IN
finished or untidy feature may kill the
general effect.
IMPROVEMENTS IN TOPEKA
ITO localize these generaIiza lions, I
need only to remind you of our own mar
row escape from the blighting influences
of % years of neglected state-house
grounds, of the splendid results of the
crusade of 10 years ago against insight
~ fences and against the mud of unpav-
ed streets; and to remind you that the
work win not have been completed until
the new artistic bridge and the construc~
ton of a slightly auditorium shall have
compelled the Identification of the City
park and the city lots on the east side
of the avenue, and until such blots upon
our fair thorOughfare as Smoky Row
shall be but a memory
Where so much has been accomplished
even during the past seven years of de-
preston it seems hardly kind to intimate
that much might yet be done towards tho
beautifying of city, both in its bust
ness and it's residence portions. and really
at comparatively light expense. We all
set callOus and blind to surroundings
that a few hours labor or even a few
minutes thought might easily remedy. A
pile of refuse might be removed; a de-
crepit fence might be torn down, or if
its protection is really necessary, a little
repair would mitigate its Offensiveness;
trees might be thinned out and trimmed
up so as to secure better air and light
to forget in our ambition for great re-
forms or achievements, that life is. after
all, made up mostly of the little things,
and that regeneration and preparation
for the gIories of life to come are not
wholly dependent upon the magnitude of
the impressions we have made upon our
generation.
with our bridge auditorium, fall fes-
tival, city park, and river front improve
ment, all either well in hand or likely to
demand early attention, 1 should hesitate
to suggest other lines of establishment;
but 1 trust the time is not far distant
when a systematic effort can be made to
secure a driving and bicycle parkway up
the river bank to Martins HILL where I
firmly believe a commOdiOus, simple but
artistic summer hotel, with ample provi-
sion for amusements would be one of the
most successful decorative effects we
could POSSIBLY produce, ana peneuclaI
alike to our own citizens and to many |
people throughout the state, who could
afford a few weeks family outing here.
but whose engagements or finances forbid |
an expensive and generally unsatisfac- |
tory trip to a distant summer resort.
A TEMPERANCE BANQUET.
''In closing let me suggest that extreme |
of judgment should be extended !
towards those, who having been asked to |
respond to toasts tonight, did not feel t |
liberty to indulge a natural selfish in> |
clination to decline. We are at a disad- |
vantage at a temperance banquet. |
11-I,or.c o,,.tr,na,-1- c1-a,. The line in