The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-12-22

history, the great position or yPI ~ III
| matters OF science, art, architecture and
religion was primarily due 10 the atrio Gull
tural wealth Of alie Nile delta That rich
land brought forth such abundant crops
that there was SnlI orportnnity for the
development OF a leisure class given to
scfeiice, government and religion. Such
a class did arise, and for Centuries four
ished. Oven to-day Egypt, though ftrnr,1-
pied by almost every armed rower. and
the battle-ground OF hungry rulers, Is her.
self we'll fed, and with tho, completion OF
The great dam ct Assouan will be more 50.
But ali through her stormy career her
peasantry have had food of q sort. There
is a school OF historical criticism
which eve1, claims that the crusades were
fought because Syrian trade was desired
by western merchants, and Palestine ter
ritory needed by younger sons Of D,l-
ropes noble houses. These questions are
academic however, 80 far rs America Is
concerned. Problems we have and plenty
or them; but they ara essentially OF dis
tri3uton, not production. There is no
need why any one III America should be
hungry, according to Dr.. Patteal, who
says: i;,i II IA sS
"a new civilization is now possible to
which those Of the past can offer few
analogles. Individual. struggle has prac.
tically ceased A suftlciency Of food
comes to the unskilled laborcr, and the
Increase Of popula on, even whom aug
mented by million immigrants a year,
does not Increase the pressure. we y.
have higher standards to-day, with ~,
100000 people than we had Two genera
tions ago with 100000 people. and we
could support 300,VOy,UIO w,tli as great
ease and with rs little individual strug-
"rho great central plain OF North
America Is vast storehouso Of 1000.
We have tho wheat TINT Europe mas,
but we have It more nbundantly. w
have moro extensive grazing regions,
and with corn for fodder, have superior
facilities for raising cattle. Pork never
took Its proper place in the diet Of the
world until the great cornAelds OF the III
West came into existence. TIA
ITO think Of the changes In diet that
tho cheapening of sugar has made 70 10
to realize in measure what an IN.
crease Of population will follow the fun
utilization Of avail liable root crops. w 9
have combined the resources on which
Tic bClVlllXtiUOll.O OIL ANOi ~ A1ttt CfSS's
pends. ana those which made the
ancient Civilizations Of tho South, /. s4 IS
"Coincident; with this improY enlent IN IN
food and transportation have come So
clal betterlnents that have lengthene
life and nude people more healthy 81 ,
Great scourges like the med 1ltle Y
plaques are SO well under control that
they have ceased to be grlcvous nfflic lie
tions. 5.S@ IL Isl "a ,Ei !. I, 4,
',s1ood, health, capital and mobility
OF men and goods arc the four essentials
to progress. All ~ OF them are "a now
abundantly supplied and capable OF In
definite increase. Must not this be the
basis OF a great social transit on,
changing our institutions, habits and
traditions until they establish q social
adjustment as complete as the present;
econorlic situation. permits? r there
was q a break In tradi tions, institutions
and ideals when civilization moved from on,
Southern to Northern Europe still
greater crisis Is before us when An1eri--
can civilization 1natche American, eric ros--
sibilities. II 3iS.s; ii