Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1904-08-30
WEALTH NOT STRENGTH.

| ~ ~ I
A prominent French snyaut, NJ
| Iianotaux, IN a Russian journal writes
about the power and greatness OF the
| United states. His article has, II seems,
commanded almost universal attention,
Hanotaux reminds his readers OF the
| fact that the United states Is as large
as Europe ana has S0,OQ0,0O0 inhablt
ants. 1t touches, he says, the worlds
two great oceans. All kinds OF miner
! ais, from gold to coal, are found IN
| It's mines along IT'S rivers and I'm allu
vial deposits All kinds of plants from
the cedar TO the hyssop, are there; 80,
too, are all kinds of animal wealth,
| from the whale TO the bird Of paradise.
'The article Of primary Importance"
he continues. Iron, coal cotton, ce-
reals, all kinds Of machines, from those
harnessed to Niagara falls to those
which dress a hog IN five minutes, are
there. Above and over all, permeotIng
the life Of the peCl 10, Is an active and
fertile genius, spirit of enterprise
and assiduity Of labor perfect liberty
and equality of all the citizens II
these are not the elements of "A peoples
progress and prosperity, what are2
Here there is a vast army armed TO the
teeth for the arts Of peace, and even
for the arts Of war, lifting itself beyond
the oceans, not month from the ports
Of the Old World, but a week. II one
considers the question OF freight, the
United States is nearer to the Mediter-
r9neau than Liverpool is to Marseilles
Tomorrow this colossal empire, master
Of the Panama canal, win interfere In
some way between Europe and Asia.
l. win control the commerce OF the
West and the East, for 1t will hold the
principal way
It is true that the United States has
every prospect Of growing IN power and
influence. The resources that can be
converted into wealth and power are
here IN marvellous abundance. And set
dtion OF power. Unless moral strength
is enjoyed, the body polite win soon
become weak Nations that had no
lack Of material resources. have 1sap-
peared because they were morally rot
ten. Wealth IL no secure foundation
for national strength
Rome, too, at one time had territory
and wealth. The Romans ruled the
entire world around the Mediterranean.
They were rich with the accumulated
treasures of centuries and controlled
the trade and commerce of the world.
But luxury grew with the increase of
wealth. Palaces, castles, villas, parks,
game preserves. etc. became the cons
Germ Of the money kings. Finally, the
government became a plutocracy. The
masses became slaves and the country
was ripe FOR disaster
The fate Of ancient Rome has been
that Of every nation that has neglected
It's moral status. No matter II the
image Is made Of the most precious
metals, when, In the execution OF the
Judgment of heaven, II is struck by
the little stone. 1t will fail. and the
fragments viii be scattered to the
four winds. This country cannot hope
to form an exception. should
mobs be permitted to cruelty JUS
tice; should the instrument Of
liberty be soiled In the channels OF
corruption, and those entrusted with
power close their ears and hearts to the
almost prophetic warnings that are
heard from time to time, the career Of
the country viii end abruptly. Wealth
Is an instrument by which to obtain
and hold power but the greater the
wealth Is, the greater must be the moral
strength to handle it, II takes gigantic
strength to WELD the sword Of q giant
The sword viii not help a pygmy. uu-
able to handle IT, The best manhood
and womanhool Is needed. to do what
is right when nation becomes power
full aud wealthy, Moral strength is of
more Importance than wealth For
where there Is such strength. small
weapon man suffice. Samson conquers
a host with "a jaw bone ana David
giant, with his sling. In the same way
sound nations with small resources
have conquered. while mighty conquer
ors have fallen because Of their moral
corruption, That IL the message Of his
tory to the great nations Of today