New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-11-23

any. case OF great restitution of great suffering
in the district almost inevitably comes to the
attention of some member of the club. who then
reports il at headquarters so that steps can be
taken TO alleviate the misery; and have reason
10 believe that there has been in consequence
a very sensible general uplifting, a general IN
crease of happiness, throughout the district
If we had a sufficient number of clubs of this
KIND throughouC our great cities while we Wouid
not by any means have solved all of the terrible
problems that press upon US for solution IN
connection with municipal misgovernment and
with the oYerCroWdng. misery, vice, disease and
poverty of great cities. yet would have taken
a long stride forward in the right direction tow
ard their solution. So much for the example
that | use to illustrate what mean by work IN
combination. .
AN EXAMPLE OF WHAT CAN BE DONE.
AS an example Of what can be done, and
should be done. by the individual citizen ] shall
mention something that recently occurred IN TINS
city of Washington. thing that doubtless many
OF you know about, but which was unknown TO
ME until recently.
A few weeks ago when I was walking back
from church one Sunday, | noticed great Ut"
and found that it was Downey's livery stable
you recolect ii. three four weeks ago, Wheil
the livery stable burned. Through a train OIL
circumstances that [ need not mention, my at
tention particularly called to the case. ana
| looked into it. ! had long known of the very
admirable work done with singular modesty
and self-enacement by Mr.. DOWney in trying TO
give homes To the homeless and to be himself
friend of those In a peculiar sense trlendlesS III
this community: and / now, by accident, found
out what had happened in connection with TINS
particular incident. II appears that last spring
Mr.. DOwney started to build a new livery stable
his stable is door TO a coored baptlSt
church. Mr. Downey is a white man and
Catholic. and these neighbors of his are colored
men, and Baptists. and their knship was sim
ply the kinship of that broad humanity that
should underlie all feelings toward one an
other. (Applause( MI DoWney started 10
build his stable. and naturally wanted to have IL
as big stable possible and build II rlSht
UP to the limits Of his land. That brought the
wall close up against the back of the colored
q
The preacher called upon him and told him
that they would like to purchase strip six feet
( broad OF the ground of Mr. Downey upon
which he intending TO build, as it would he
2 great Inconvenience to them to lose the nSht
and air: that they aware that il was ask
( ing good deal Of him TO cramp the buildins OUT
J OF which he intended to make his livelihood out
that they hoped he would do it because OF thelr
( need.
After good deal of thought Mr.. Downey
I came to the conclusion that he ought to grant
the request. and so he notified them that ne
would change his plans, make a somewhat
I smaller building, and sell them the six feet OF
land in the strip adjoining their church. AFTER
, little while the preacher came around with
the trustees of his church, and SAID thaI they
very much appreciated Mr. DOwneys courtesy,
and were sorry they had bothered him as they
had because, on looking into the affairs OF the
church they found that they were already in
debt they did not feel warranted in mourning
any further financial obligations, ana so they
had 70 withdraw their request. They thanked
him for his kindly purpose, and said goodby
But Mr.. DoXnev found he could not get to
sleep that night until finally he made up his
mind that. as they could not buy it, he would
give ii TO them anyway (applause), which he
did. But. unfortunately. we know that the tower
Of Sloan often falls upon the just and the UNI
just alike. ard Mr. Downey's livery stable caught
fire and burned down. 1t Sunday morning
and the Baptist church in session next door
TO him. and the clergyman stopped and said.
Now. you women stay here and pray and YOU
men go straight ont and help our benefactor. Mr..
DOW'ney'': and go out they did, and got his
horses all out, that none Of them We're
burned, although he suffered otherwise a total
loss.
Now. I call that practical application of Mr..
Wagners teachings. Here in Washington we
have right to be proud Of a citizen like Mr..
Downey; and if only we can develop enOug.
such citizens shall turn out just the kind OF
community that does not need TO. but Will al
ways be glad TO, study The Simple Life the
author of which l now introduce to you. (Ap-
Dlause)