The Minneapolis journal., 1902-08-20
OUR NATIONAL SIN
It Is the Craze for Wealth Says
Says Henry Watterson.
LECTURE ON MONEY AND MORALS
The Money Evil and the Devil Of
Pnrtiznn Politics Two
Dangers.

Henry Watterson, Kentuckys grand old
commoneT, batter of presidents, breaker
Of political idols, spoke to a Minneapolis
audience last night at the exposition
building. Many went away from his lee
turo wondering which was the real Wat
utation, or the good humored optimist
whom they heard last night, excusing
mems follies, and with the calm OF a
Socratic sage discussing the vanities and
cares Of this world, and the deceitful-
ness of riches.
MIR. Watterson had found his subject,
either himself, or by direction of his local
managers, and he talked of Money and
Moarls." On this fruitful theme he hung
a series Of original Wattersonian observa-
tions, brimful of practical philosophy.
The pity was that insufficient advertising
and a price almost prohibitive for pop
uar lecture We're responsible for an audi
ence that was almost lost in the vast ex-
position hall. There were not over 500
present, and it was evident that Mr.. Wat
terson was not inspired to the extent OF
his possibilities.
The ground theme of the lecture was the
we'll worn thought, that the modern craze
for wealth is one that cannot be Satls-
fed, and cannot bring happiness, that
wealth is only relative term, and that
true success lies in being happy, con-
tented with ones own work and worldly
goods. This craving for money Mr. Wat
terson pronounced our national sin, and
hence national danger, to be overcome by
a broader, saner view Of life.
This view, in his long experience, he
has himself attained, and he presented 1t
to his hearers in a way altogether new
and attractive.
Mr.. Wat terson showed how the over
weening desire for money hardened men
/ l. y1yJ, 1icf
lead them to dishonesty and di isaster.
Even when attained, wealth does not
bring happiness, for in time mems as
pirations change. For illustration the
lecturer told of a stateman he knew, VINO
for twenty years strove in vain for the
presidency, and when as an old man ne
had lost his desire for it, he was nomin-
ated and elected.
Success in life,'' he said,* happiness
and happiness is creation of the mind and
heart, not of the stomach and pocket
book
Not Real Dangers.
Other threatened dangers Mr.. Waiter.
son set aside They would be solved by
time. Municipal corruption. the race
question, all would work themselves out.
''Neither do I fear Imperialism" ht
said. nor any of the other complication
arising from our war with Spain. In m!
own day have seen the republic outlas
the irrepressible conflict, have seen thu
constitution weather the strain OF pres
idential impeachment, Of an election de
cided by our extra constitutional cleo
tion board, and have seen the power
that held government reins for quarte
of century hand them over to their op
ponents without protest. The man wh'
has seen these things is not going to los
any sleep over what is going on down il
Washinton city, unless he wants an OF
flee, and wants 1T bad.
"However, as a result of making none
the social standard, honorabl poverty ha
become one of the lost arts. We ar
ready to forgive the sins Of the rich, an
forget how they got their money. Ou
yoIing men turn from honorable publ
| careers to business lines where they ca
make more money. They cannot affor
to go to congress. Our twin dangers ar
the money devil and the devil of par
tizan politics. We are now on the as
cending scale, and our moral sense
being quickened, but we must learn tina
the golden rule is the whole secret an
: mystery of human happiness.
ahHWe are a. great, homogeneous people
} but it would do US good to get closer to
gether. The man from New Englan
should go south, lop off some of his rough
, hard edges and get simplicity and sun
= shine The southern man should lear
that his patricianism is sheer folly, an
should send send his boys north to lear
how much bett they do some things u
here.
II have been in every state and terr
| tory of this land and have yet to lear
one in which l have not seen someth1H
to make me proud of my country,