The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-05-30
4 SENTIMENT FOR THE DAY.

Here we stand on the threshold of the
new century: sacred memories are ours;
great hopes are ours. Present-day American
patriotism "a IL faces forward involves
fidelity to manhood. as opposed to sub
serVfency TO MammOn- Increasing material
prosperity. the wonderful going forward
OF larger things in commercial and indus
trial enterprises is "A matter OF congratula-
ton. But We are in peril of being intoxi-
Gated with our success. Wild specu-
lative spirit is fed and becomes overmaster-
ing and contagious. This feverish gambling
Is not confined 10 Wall street. IL Is a symp-
tom OF that which taints the blood OF our
business and social life-the overcstimate
OF wealth, the worship OF financial gam Ill
Vcrced from manhood. Let US not be de-
ceived; railroads and m lines NAV
be united into a system which sirdles the
world; steel corporations in a capitalization
of a thousand millions; mighty manufac-
turing and industrial organizations that roll
up wealth in almost 10 dubious aInounts-dll
these do not make a nations life secure and
strong. We are in danger OF becoming a
nation or magnified corporations and mini
fed men. The chief question Il not what Is
the size of our business corporations. but
what is the quality Of our citizenship. The
basic unit of our civilization Is not property.
Man l. greater than all the material Gre
atoms of his industry. In these days of CO.
lossal fortune-building and aggressive COM
mercialism there must be a clear vision or
the incalculable worth of simple MANHOOD.
The test of modern society is not its ma
terial wealth, but the character OF its citi-
zenship. The chief message of one of John
Ruskin's books is summed up in this golden
sentence: There is no wealth but lie.
The foregoing is an extract from a SER
mon delivered TO a veteran organization on
Sunday by Rev. DIR. Haines. Ii is excellent
reading for Memorial day, set apart, as it
is. to consider the deeds and sacrifices of
man and to extol heroic devotion to a great
cause when in peril. In the saving of the
Republic money was helpful. but the wealth
of the world would nave been impotent
without that patriotic citizenship which in
spired men TO go forth with their lives IN
their hands. TO give them up if necessary.
The monuments of wealth and human skill
are to be found on every hand. They are
imposing, but the worlds great deeds which
glow OH the page of history are stories of
human achievement for a great cause. The
recital of the money cost of the preserva-
ton of the Union produces no emotion. but
the story Of the successive thousands going
forth from the humble homes of the land
TO fill the gaps made by battle and disease
in response to the call of Lincoln. fills the
human heart with proud exultation. 1t is
not the fact that a loan was taken in a
month that kindles enthusiasm, but the
human response during that period of blood.
I'VE are coming. Father Abraham"
What this Nation needs more than wealth
Is a practical patriotism that will fill the
land with citizens who love their country
and its Institutions. which begin with the
home, and include the school. the clean ad-
ministration OF government and devotion
TO the welfare of the community in which
they live. When the Union was to be saved
men counted, because manhood alone could
be depended on to do the work. If we, as a
people. have drifted away from the appre-
citation of manhood as the essential element
in the maintenance of human society, 1t is
time that we retrace our steps and seek to
restore hat faith in the American man
hood which is the Nations hope in peace,
as well as war. So. to-day, il the reader of
the Journal listens to an orator who fails
to catch the spirit of the hour and the needs
of the time. let him read and reread the
extract which is here quoted and from it's
sentiments derive purpose and courage.