The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-12-16
Wealth and the SPIRIT.

A Chicago reporter has been engaged
IN asking some of the wealthiest men of
that town whether being millionaire
pays Many OF them were disinclined to
express henseIves-perhapssb because they
could not see sswhat there was In 1t for
them" but the opinions Of those who were
willing to talk have a distinct value for
poorer FOLK One nah said he didn't have
any more fun than ne used to have when
his fortune was good deal smaller. and
that he did have. a, great deal more re-
sponstbiIity. On tire whole. great wealth
had not paid him A second man pre-
ferred the process. of making million
to the state of having 1t. intimating that
to have enough to spend and yet to see
your income growing. was a condition
having great advantages. third took
broader view. and said that II the mil
Ifonaire was able to hold down his Job
In business way and at the same time
to grow mentally. and realistically. II was
a great thing to be one But If man
was, hox bible to live up to the intellectual
obligations of great wealth and jexpsnd
Y himself to At the capabilities Of the posi-
itioh. ne WEI better of with fortune that
+; was nsaref his own cafiber. sly
,PFqbAbly;iwe all feel that we should be
willing to trin the risk Involved In t&kiug
over Ia million and trying to live up to
Il. saRd. yet, the possession of. money. IS |
q I ~ a1g of character. andrew
there be who IRE able to meet itssuSr
cessfnliy,, Tnessest + not only Of the
individual, II Is the test Of 4 nation. Of
a race.
The century fast closing has been one
of the greatest material prosperity known
to history. The. advance in population,
cities. mechanical Inventions physical
discoveries. scientific knowledge, almost
paraIyzes the imagination--but what has
II done for the soul Of man?
Frederic Harrison. writing In the cur
rent number of the North American Re-
view. and writing 'as a convinced be-
lever in the gradual improvement of civ
iiization," AYERS that "our immediate gem
Grafton has been sinking OF late to meaner
ideals. TO coarser ways of life. to more
Vulgar types of literature and art. to
more open craving after wealth and
more insolent assertion OF pride aud
force" Looking back over the Victorian
era he finds within his own memory that
the later, years have a lower tone OF
truth and OF honor that there are, fewer
fine Inspirations and generous impulses
FOR ends not wholly selfish or mercenary.
The arraignment IL a severe one, yet
many thoughtful minds of our generation
concur In making g. Some assign one
cause and some another. but the only
cause which Is as universal as the effect
is the great general increase In the ma
,eriai appliances OF life and the failure
Of mankind to realize ever SO family
that HE cannot he enriched save through
the enrichment OF the mind and soul A.
matter OF fact the world has not lived
az mentally and spiritually 10. the IN
crease o( It's. material wealth IN the iast
hundred years. II falls short even when
tested by the standard OF a plain Chicago
millionaire II has not expanded TO the
capabilities OF It's position. Especially is
this trne Of our own race, whose develop.
ment has been the most marked Of all
We congratulate ourselves occasionally.
and not unjustly. upon our ethical SUI
periori,y TO other nations but our achieve
ments, when weighed against our OPP
portunities. are less impressive The test
Of wealth has SO far found us wanting.