The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-12-27
BY
Frederick Upham Adams.

considered In our country. The bcsetting
sin OF our people Is to mistake natural
resources as an evidence OF innate Hu-
perlority and an evidence OF progress.
We schedule our brains too high, and our
acres too low. It may be- as our friend
Jenkins Insists. that we are the smartest
people In tho world. and II we are 1t
should not be difficult to wipe out the
disgrace OF admitted municipal misgov-
eminent lii good time. 1t Is asserted
that great things have been accomplished
in the cities OF Great Britain. and am
curious enough to 30 across and satisfy
myself Of the truth or falsity OF tho
claims which are being made. ;"
us It not sign OF weakness for ono
nation TO copy the institutions OF
another7''' asked Judge Sawyer.
1T Is a sign of stupidity not to DO
SO. II such institutions have demons
strated their value and superiority re-
sponded Colonel Monroe. The success
full banker does not hesitate TO Initiate
detail OF finance, no matter where It
originates. There are no geographical
lines In mechanics, engineering or III
all tho domains OF science. We translate
tho works Of foreign writer's, and sit at
the feet OF foreign artists and musicians.
we have made a failure In the govern
ncnt Of our citles-a dismal. disgracetul3
and pltiful failure. II the foreign munlcl-
palities offer suggestions Of Keller. 40
we sacrifice our dignity by following
them? The one nation In the world
which has most reason for patriotic pride
Is ia pan. i
why Japan?'' interrupted Jenkins.
1--WE could lick Japan and not know that
we were fighting
"You can. but 7 won't" continued tho
colonel. Japan Is great because she Is
not afraid 10 Initiate. Japan ls great
because within tho present generation
she has arisen from seml-sayagery to
the position OF a first-class world power.
Fer school children are melted to patri-
otlc endeavor not by study OF tho
alleged feats OF their ancestors. but by
the splendid achievements Of their fath-8
ers and brothers. She is not puffed Up
with tho conceit that she knows u all
Burylng that absurd blgotry' when mas
nations sho has culled from all OF the
countries OF the earth those Inventions.
devices and institutions on which genius
has placed the bel Of success. Japan
dld not ind 1t necessary to climb ~
slow stages the abandoned roads OF prog
regs she took an elevator to the TOP.
In loss than half a century she mas trans
planted to her soil tho best fruits OF q
civilization which has existed Tor CEN
turtles,
.That man Is great who takes intel.
lIgent and legitimate advantage OF AL
that has been accomplished by tnose
Who have preceded him: who does not
hesitate to initiate and give credit to h!s
fellow workers, and who, rs a result
Of this wealth of knowledge is able to
make small contribution TO the common
fund OF this earth's established facts
And a. nation Is great from like action.
No self-sulncient natlon--not even our
beloved country-can long keep abreast
Of those which dare to Initiate"
"someone has said that Imitation u
the sincercst tlattary, - observed Judge
Sawyer, l5
Like many familiar sayings, that one
expresses the TRUTH returned Colonel
Monroe. Limitation Is an acknowledged
ment Of merit in another, II Is the step
which places one in alignment with the
front rank In the march OF progress"
(Copyrlght, 1909. by Frederick Upham
Adams) x