Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1903-01-04
Dec,
& TRAVELLING PHILOSOPHER.
An Adopted Rich,nonder Moralizes
On the New Year.

On the New 1ear.
To the Editor Of the Dfspa tch:
The old year is dead-ali hail the new.
Nineteen hundred and two ..died game"
If one can judge by ths noise and COM
motion he must have died with his boots
on"
am told that at his bedside-or. rather.
at his death, for he could not be kept IN
bed-were assembled his children, the
twelve calendar months, and his grand
children, the fifty-two weeks, that were
born during his earthly course.
An eyewitness OF the scene reports the
dying year as wonderfully calm and philo-
sophicai to the very last.
To the assembled family and friends he
spoke words OF inspiration and benedic-
ton.
He recounted the events OF his remark
able career and seemed to be as ready to
offer thanks for his trials and reverses
as for his successes and pleasures.
He said: Remember. my children, that
very often trials and raverses prepare the
way for the most satisfactory results
Our failures may be stepping-stones
to higher attainments.t'
Thus did the closing year discourse
sound wisdom and philosophy.
When the end approached he reached
the climax of sound doctrine" by ex-
claiming:
II yield uncomplainingly to the inevita-
bic. Joy be unto you all, and may nine
teen hundred and three be even mora
blessed in his life than I have been. And
at the end may he be as ready to try the
Great Unknown as am now
So closes the old year. The new one
has an suspicious opening. and we cry,
All hail.
feYE fN.aR rrf &c IT,,
passed In Washington. and pronounced
both place and day IDEAL.
The weather has been superb; the
streets as dry and clean as In summer,
and the order perfect. The people have
thronged the avenue. dressed In their very
best am glad to say have not seen
DRUNKEN man to-day. Congress (as you
know Is not here, and some one has Just
exclaimed, Thank the Lord for that"
However the President Is here, and has
the usual reception. The hero worship
ping America is crowding into the White
House to '.hau the Chief,
| haven't. In my makeup. q single
fiber Of the hero worshipping. and so ]
| am not going.
dare say that. In the rush, Teddy viii
not notice my absence.
The Washington Post, In its editorial
congratuiates the country on the outlook
as the year opens. 1t can see nothing but
the most brilliant promise In all lines.
am not a pessimist-I am sanguine, by
nature. and incline to optimism. but, In
my heart. ] feel some misgtvings.
We are prosperous: every sign seem.
! to be favorable, gave one. The people
are suffering for coal and have to pay
| high for food.
/ + is most lamentahle condition Of
things and ought to make the conside.
rate pause for thought
I Men with freezing. starving families car
not be counted on to aIways show for.
bearance and long suffering.
The only prosperity worth exploiting i.
ons that embraces the masses, as vel
| as the upper classes. am not a politt
clan and do not Ind IN either party IN,
| principles can fully accept. but am s.
/ AuaertcaE-proudo OF my country. and any
/ ious TO see the United States Ia raaIItv
i as well in name. the most prospsrou.
/ nation "a the world. She viii never s,
i till the people can have coal ana food
reasonahle prizes ana IN q reasonabl
i abundance.
posyou ask ma how: I answer. 81 you
present stuck Of atate1rnen ana ecoao
I1atetas Arr not able "a solve ths prohlsnl
uaz.ses In ~ est about laistul