The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-01-01

year and the beginning OF
"A another very naturally call
for a short interval Of re-
Hection. In a material sense, the
scar lust ended was one of mar
velous development. 1t marked a
new record in general business
prosperity and in the adapta-
tion of the forces of nature to mans
convenience and comfort. In the earn
est activity of all the agencies OF hu-
manity the year was equally notable
Statistics show that during it a larger,
far larger total contribution was
made to benevolences and to edu~
cation than in any year of which
we have record. If there has been
a development of luxurious living
in consequence of the prodigality of
our national resources. there has also,
and in far larger proportion. been
generous outpouring of the spirit of
human brotherhood.
In other words, the new century has
been inaugurated most auspiciously.
Though to thoughtful minds it brings
problems and perpeXities ample to en-
list the best energies of its people, there
is every incentive to hopefulness and
less than the usual warrant for pes
simism Mans relation to nature has
been broadenea by scientific discovery
until few of the terrors that beset our
grandparents remain. Disease, al
though not eliminated, has been so cur
tailed by sanitary progress that in all
of the more civilized countries the
death rate is decreasing and great
scourges have ceased to wipe out whole
communities. The strides which our
civilization has made in minstering to
the comforts Of mankind do not re-
quire notice. The humblest peasant to-
day enjoys conveniences unknown to
the haughtiest prince of few genera
tions ago. Nor has this vast accumu-
lation of material prosperity massed
itself in the selfish grasp of a few.
Statistics, as we'll as common observa.
tions ,shqW that i Is more widely and
faiRiS dilfusfd than wealth has been at
any pnDp time. While no patent cure
or1thrifelessness has yet appeared to
from among the natural experiences of
life It is an indisputable fact that the
oppor1ppjtIes new open L, thrift, indus
trgaand, Ambition exceed in attractive
ness and in certainty and security of
resnltsi1hose of all the past. Natural
Variatfons,in temperament capability
and ehjhonii1ent preclude the realiza-
tion ofathe dreams of socialism. with
thSfr .milennial equality and absence or
disqoTdc But that. which makes the
neY aNepr, wel9me beyond It's predeces-
sofae ssot they Aaapy fact that. in this
countrgaableastath percentage of fair
chance TO move forward in worldly cir
cumstahdelis at the highest notch since
history began to be written
ffwohld be idle to deny that some of
this pr9spsrlty' is due to, what common
sn4seh, for, want of q more definite
wnglLl gals sluek," We have not so
far. .daaproYhd upon the wisdom of our
fathers, more especially in that form
of applied wisdom which we term COM
mon sense, as would explain ON the
basis of wisdom alone the superior cirs
oulnstanees IN which the peop Y ldfi TO-.
day find themselves. So far as this
element OF luck max Influence our flu
tme ii is futile to,speculate or plan
But there is a large fseld for the exer-
else by all Of us of prudence, modera-
tl9d and sagacity. It is NOT known TO
any human how long this present high
tide of prosperity may endure; but