The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1905-11-19
Germs in Our Atnos sphere.

u TgTIs NJ fsa 1ssg3
1t would be an lnexcusable folly to as
sumo that there are no destructive germs
in our national atmosphere. AS Ia vitiated
environment may undermine the strong
est constitution, so unwholesome condi-
tons in our social, political md business
surroundings cannot be neglected with
out inviting perilous enfeeblement of our!
national strength and vigor.
The dangers we have most to fearsare
not those e. which arise from the sudden
wrongs, nor yet those arising from the
deleterious influence of fatseS standards OF
conduct which are open "a to patriotic
which are the progeny of a stealthy and
tinsidious growth which little by little
Spolsons the atmosphere and dlstorts the
moral vision. Il
In 2 country orering such boundless ops
sportunlties as ours, Its accumulation cam
not be forbidden nor It's apportionment de-
creed. We should not, however, be un-;
riches is apt to lead to the adoption ofj q
code OF morals which, though suited to
Its purposes, does not furnish the best
guarantee of national security and the
general welfare and happiness OF our
people.
&@s Such a code should be amellorated and
ssoftened by the admlxture OF higher, bet-
ter sentiment. The rich instead OF dis
tpdTdSlu6 EDUCATION anu STtl5lOuS altdCulH6i
as irksome restraints upon their special
activities should be willing to recognize
them as lcounterXailing or balancing forces
fifty mitigating the harsh creed Of money
getting. It would mean much II our
wealthy men would more generally contri-t
bute-not niggardly,F but on n decent Lbs
seral scale-to the maintenance and the
highest usefulness Of the educational and
religious agencies that have been potential
In producing the conditions of peace and
stendiness which have made the possess
sion md enjoyment of wealth possible.
Another insdious cause of disquietude,
which may we'll be more directly than
heretofore mentioned and illustrated. is
the increasing heedlessness, In business
transact ons,&of the nature ana scope of
the oblig tions of trust relationships.
4 Our business men seem lamentably
willing, II not anxious, to accept trustee
ships and dIrectorships moro to add to
their prominence and Importance among
their fellowssthan to do actual consclen-8
tious duty IN protecting the interests con-
fided to their care. Individual Intercourse
without truthfulness and honor is but
a sham and Il deluson. and national
character not built upon frank honesty
and the most scrupulous observance Of
1duciaryN bllgations Is perilously weak
and intirm. The passing OF the term
dummy dlrector. with the conditions
nation deyoutly to be wished.
Evil Of Indifference.
; : t.
Without attempting to cnumerate all the
insidlous Influences and tendencies which.
If d!sregarded and unchecked. may Sc
rously menace American character or
stand IN, the way OF Is saving power, the
iist;s n not be closed without mention,
and inexcusable OF all. the Indifference
of u vast number OF our otherwise decent
and patriotic people TO r''..,,pl move
ments and their consequent Neglect of
81 ~ hIs atrill ,,,s- al
ready spread over every part of the land,
and lnfects all classes of our population.
thousands In the mad pursuit OF riches
sec no Sprofllhble relationship between
good government and their lntents or de-
signs And what Is infinitely worse,
thousands of our citizens of the ultra
respectable sort superciiously regard poll
tics as an uncean thing, while too MANY
as foreign to their intellectual superior
lty or course majority OF reputable
Americans interest themselves IN public
att IDS but There ought to be no escep-
tons TO the extent that Intelligent
give impress to the politics Of their coun-
try ana their neighborhood, they give ops
portunity which the base and unprinci-
pied will not be slow g Improve.
sound as may be desired. and yet "
may entirely fail to save us from dis
aster II the practical duties Of citizen.
Ship--the avenues through SW!AcH II '''u2'
reach It's ptnehcient end--are disreGaru-
ed. No one can make good his claim 70
patriotism whU hegrudges The time neces-
sary to the discharge OF these duties, or
harbors the thought hat the touch OF
things that further the prosDerlGy nnd
welfare and the American people can de-
file or degrade him.
Policeman j. D. Goodman of the First
District, has returned to the city, after
a pleasant stay With friends and rela-
itiyes In Philadelphia
Miss Kathleen o. sherwood. Of New
tow at the residence OF her parents. ~.
,n,1 Nfra n II A. hJercar Of this oil ". t35s -