New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-03-13
SELECTIONS FROM THE NAIL.
CLOSER RELATIONS WITH THE POOR.
\ PLEA FOR FRIENDSHIP AND INTERCOURSE
WITH THEM At HOME

TO the Editor Of The Tribune
Sir: In your editorial February 10 entitled Char
ity Work in Homes" point IS made that have
long wished to see recognized. and this relates TO
the Immeasurable possibilities FOR good in phil
anthropic work among the poor. OF the influence
OF the favored homes Of the community. II only
their influence can be made available There IL
barrier be surmounted. however. and that
is the solishness Of the well-to-do and the wealthy
The unwilingncss OF the poor to receive benefits
is not causeless neither must the mistake be made
OF atrbutlng it 10 the dogeneracy that poverty Is
said to produce. Its ground is far other; 1t is their
quick recognition of the hollow sham that mas
querades under the guise Of charity.
Charity. forsooth, The very word has become
hateful in the ears Of all possible benehoaries 1t
actually means many things in this altruisuc 90
age but rarely does il mean neighborly love Per
haps the highest meaning il has H. the desire 10
benefit the community. and this from the sehsh
motive that we and our children may live IN
poasanter world. that our servants may serve oe'-
tor md that other peoples servants and other low
neopIe may make themselves less obnoxious. Then
too Il is painful TO see human beings suncr from
hunger and cold. and when they will let us we feed
and cothe them as we would throw ponc 10 d
hungry dog. II they resent our offclousness ana
reject our gifts We console ourselves with the
thought that It is their own fault and not ours.
that they starve and IN either we gladly dis
miss them from our minds. 1t Is only a figure or
speech that calls them our brethren. or at any
rate they are disagreeable relations and we VIII
have nothing TO Go with them beyond the en-
dcavor to supply their physical wants ana 10 nave
them taught to make OF themselves useful citizens
Isn't this the attitude 81 nine-tcntns oil 1me pe0pe
who contribute and work for charitable causes IS
II any wonder that such aid Is accepted WllIilsix
only BY the undescrving-wh II demoraliZes sun
further-unwilngly by many because or dlrest
need and utterly rejected by those OF so lofty a
spirit that starvation is preferred?
If throwing open our homes 10 the poor means
throwing open hearts. the result VIII De me
speedy solution Of all the hard problems OF me
ninetcenth-cen philanthrop.st There VIII be
no further use for those poor. halfway. arm s.
length measuros-clubs for working people and uni
versiiy settlements. But II 1t only means that on
stated occasions out and gather IN from the
highways and byways all the poor whose pllaDiity
permfts or whose curiosity or greed prompts 10
come and entertain them with our best for a day
and deem our duty done until the next occasion
I'm that case the millennium Will continue 20 await
the day when the work Of charity SHAH begin as Is
sOrely needed. at home.
There are few homes Of plenty that are not al
ready mechanically in touch with the neeiy
classes Here Is our opportunity; Jet US devote
half as much thought and effort 10 the cultivation
of friendship with those who are placed soclhHy
below us as most Of give 10 seeking recognition
I'm higher circles. and shall have no cause 10
complain that the poor resent our good ohces.
Furthermore. il will surprise many OF US TO as
cover that receive back more than we give ana
In disrarding cherished cNclusivcness (Which Is
wholly Of the deviD and adopting in its stead the
Chrst-likc habit Of nclusivencss. we are the gain
LORA c. LITTLE.
L-.b