davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times., 1912-03-18
A BELIEF IN GOD
is A BELIEF IN SELF

To the Editor OF THE TIMES:
Those of you who say there is no God
must confess you are no man in the full
sense of which the word man means.
If you are not Gods created, designed,
and developing a soul as a flower de-
velops its beauty and perfume, then IT
but remains that all human beings are
parasites in evolution and but animal
alone, which can never be man.
| charge those OF you who pretend, and,
/ emphasize pretend. that you are like
the grapes the fox couldn't reach; they
must be soUr, those of you. who say
there Is no God.
Come, get from the north side of the
tree. where the moss does grow, and
bathe in the sunshine, the handwork OF
God. forget that mercenary longing
which first incensed you into disbelief
for without this belief you are as yet un.
born. A man without faith in God is
like . flower without perfume, it lacks
that which enchants and that alone
which cndures.
A man can extract perfume, but he
cannot produce the original source of it
When a man attempts to absorb all the
knowledge of the universe he becomes
/ az Aesop said of the frog who, pCrceiv'
! ing the bull. began TO swell up anC
| finally bursted.
Doubt nothing, all is truth except thC
| lies of mankind. CECIL CALVERT.
The Washington times., 1912-03-18
RELIGIOUS CONSCIENCE is
RESULT OF EDUCATION

To the Editor Of THE TIMES:
Acacia, in the Mail Bag, of the 7th
inst, says: "Inhdels despise religion,
because 1t disturbs their conscience;
they hate it, because they fear 1t is
true"
Now, II | am a scholar in your Mail
Bag Sunday school, | would ask: What
is conscience! The Indian is the hand
work of God-as much as you are. When
he burns a dog at the stake, sCalps
and ham-strings a white man, lie is
conscious of doing something to be
proud of. Why? Because he has done
as he has been taught, which makes
conscience to be an education That
is because YOU do not believe with the
sun worshipCrs or the Chinese. Still
they have "a concienCe of their own, ac-
Cording to their teaching and reason
ing, that is as faithful. as beautiful as
your conscience because It is gift of
God to man, hut is useless without
learning. regardless OF creed, or ma
tionality. Man only knows what he
is taught, and untaught. he would
lack conscience. EUGENE SCOTT.
The Washington times., 1912-03-18
EXCELLENT SERVICE
OF IRISH POLICEMEN

To the Editor OF THE TIMES:
Kindly allow me short space in yoyr
PAPER to ask "a NJ. L." who was Il
that told him that he was funny. and
where lid he learn the Irish wit that
he tried to use in his knock against the
Irish nolice" ! wonder II he was ever
held up and robbed, and how much did
the Irish copper obtain, and If his heal
was ever Caved in bv the Irish copper's
club? If these things are so. I would
like TO take that risk copper bv the
hand ana tell him what a good fellow
ho is. ! wonder II Mr.. "L. NJ. L."
knows that twO-thirds of the police IN
Washington are from Maryland and
Virginia. and do not hale from oil
Erin? Everybody loves fair play, at
least all men do that believe in the
brotherhood of man. As it is useless t.
90 into detail and tell here of what the
Irish race has done In making Amrri-
IAN history. the people know the Irish
police IF Boston, New York, Chicago.
md san Francisco.-and they are the
finest BODY of men of their kind in the
world; woI ,n;;-.honeSt, brave and trre. and not
a,raid ar, to die: even II they are Irish,
| coppers. and know how to use the
night stick that they carry to protect
themselves as well as law-abiding pco-
| pie; and The man who loves fair nlay
VIII not 30 out Of his way to knock
\ an officer Of the law. But when he
d1es. there Is something wrong some
wherc. tlonor him to Whom honor IS
lue. and may .;he men on the hill and
| Ben Johnson think the sar1e way
AN IRISH COPPER'S SON
The Washington times., 1912-03-18
FEAR OF THE INVISIBLE
RELIGIONS NATURAL SEED

To the Editor OF THE TIMES
1t was the old philosopher, Thomas
Hobbs, who said THE fear of things
invisible is the natural seed of re-
ligion," and it seems highly probable
that all systems of faith in tie super
natural had their origin in the terror
inspired among ignorant and super
stitious people 10y the various natural
phenomena, as earthquakes, volcanic
eruptions, lightning, disease, and death
which they were unable TO account for,
and were thus led to prUpitiatC as far
as lay in their power the vengeful gods
who, in their wrath, were Furnishing
the helpless human beings who had
somehow offended them.
AS the world progresses in civiliZa.
ton and enlightenment less and less
attention is paid TO religious Creeds
and forms of worship and more to right
living; and sooner or later the time
will come when everyone will be re-
spccted for his honest opinion concern
ing things supernatural, and be judged
solely by his conformity to the prevail
ing moral standard.
AS Herbert Spencer. one of tht
greatest of modern philosophers, said
Every man has right to do tina
which he Wills, provided he interfere,
not with the equal right of any othe
man" NERITAS.
The Washington times., 1912-03-18
LIVE AND LET LIVE
is MOTTO SHE OFFERS

To the Editor Of THE TIMES:
Do unto others as you would have
them do unto you. Our Heavenly Faith
er. who dwels in a mansion of walls OF
Jasper and precious stones and golden
streets surrounded with every beauty,
loves every human being with no re-
spCctOr of persons. ! don't see why the
people have such prejudice and
hatred toward the cOlored race, as long
as they obey the laws of our coun-
try and are good citizens. They can
not help their color. God made them.
The Bible says Cain was the first ur
his race as God branded him for the
murder Of his brother Abel This is
free. Independent country, but If some
of the. people had their way it would
be worse than monarchy. Abraham
Lincoln was good Christian man, and
God put it in his heart to free tn"
poor coored race held down by man
in bondage. These people know not
God or His love. and He does not want
any of His creatures treated worse
| than dogs. Read the book of James,
Chapter s.. and YOU will get little light
| on this subject. 1t is the evil and
| hatred in the deCeitful heart that cause =
| Christians God has cleansed by His
spirit of hatred toward any nationality.
But do good unto all men. Down no
! one, lift him up. and give him a help
| ing hand and | am sure they will love
who has experience with them
| MRS. NJ. +. SCHEITL1N.
The Washington times., 1912-03-18
MONDAY, MARCH 1S, 1912.
CHASING A WILL-O-THE-WISP.

Astonishing statistics always coming out of
China. For many years we have heard Of the aston
ishng prosperity that would visit the cotton. indus
try if the Chinaman could be induced to add an
inch to the length of his shirt.
1t seemed almost incredible to think that so
slight change in style could affect to SO marked
an extent great industry. Indeed we always felt
some doubt of the reliability of the statistican. If
such results would follow simple and unobjec-
tionable alteration in Shirts it seemed certain
that influence enough could and would be brought
to bear the arbiters of Chinese fashion to force
every disciple of Confucius lengthen his shirt at
whatever sacrifice.
But before have finished with this Chinese
puzzle another is passed up to We are now in
formed by the Daily Consular and Trade Reports,
issued by the Government that:
If only tenth of per cent of the empires pOpu-
aon cast aside the old for the fashion, there is
presented market for least 100000 suits of clothing
pairs of shoes, collars, shirts, socks ties hats etc
Evidently, China presents field of unlimited
opportunities. However, if with the whole wide
world looking longingly at Johns shirt tail and try
ing for decade to wish another inch to it, he has
refused to be persuaded, it seems almost hopeless
to try to get him into whole new suit of clothes.
The Washington times., 1912-03-18

knowledge Of philosophy and theology.
adequate to carry conviction without Of
fense to him who Is really seeking
truth.
want TO ask NV fellow Christians.
regardless Of creed, to whom would they
refer q friend i'll Of physical disease?
SulclY not 10 Il butcher: but to a ply
siciar. the best ono they knew. II his
watch was out Of order, would you send
him to 4 blacksmith. or Cndeavor 10
repair 1t for him. why. then, treat his
soul so rarelessly? In either case. he
who undertakes n task for which he Is
not properly equipped, must make a
gerry iJh Of II. Most of the answers
to ";ir Frcethinker," Mr. Tnhelievcr."
ct al, are far from satisfactory. even
TO those DrufessInG Christianity. and
must be mistaken by them fur the best
we can furnish. Is this not most harm
ful to the good cause we ell hold so
dearly?
Would 1t not nc we'll 20 insist that
Mr.. Freothinkrr" give his name. so
that we NAV know irst how much free
dem If thought lie is allowed to eNnr-
else" Give your name, my friend. Every
frcetiinker and infdel who has ever
risen to gnv rcDute has been courageous
enough to hand up his card. The world
wants to know YOU. or 1T least the
readers Of the Mail Bag do. Then we
can refer Won to some person prorerl"
EQUIPPED to satisfactorily treat your
case. JERE CONNOLLY.
The Washington times., 1912-03-18
NEGROES, FOR OWN SAKE,
SHOULD WANT OWN CARS
; th. Editor OF THE TIMES

To the Editor OF THE TIMES:
| heartily join "B. CT and So
joUrner' in the advocacy Of separat &c
cars for negroes on the street railways
of this city.
The negro, under the present law, has
q legal right to sit where he pleases on
cars within the Distri,t of Columbia
nevertheless there exists strong prcJu-
dice among the whites against his en-
erCise of that right, if he pleascs to
sit among the whites instead of among
his own kind thereby Causins frequent
breaches of the peace. If the negro fclt
the same pride in hls race that the
white people do theirs, and would dill
gently seek the company of his own
race as the white people do theirs in
both public and private places, there
would be very little friction between
the two races. Let all opposed to the
scheme of separate cars for negroes
take trip either over the Columbi 4
or AnaCostia lines where the real negro
odor is always in evidence in all cars
JAS. GROW.
The Washington times., 1912-03-18
ATTITUDE is CHANGED
REGARDING ROOSEVELT

To the Editor Of THE TIMES
1t seems to me rather strange that
certain folks allow themselves to be
wrought to such a pitch of anxiety
az TO Colonel Roosevelt. Suppose, just
for moment, he had declared he
would not accept another nomination.
a suppOsitOn only.J He was never
elected President but one time, whereas
the late Grover Cleveland was three
times Democratic nominee. twice
elected AS all Republicans look alike
10 some. easily beaten by others,
'twOuld appear useless to worry, ex-
CCpt, of course, the people appear TO
demand Teddy.
So far as tho efforts of certain Re-
publICans in an attempt TO forestall
consistency might, with propriety. be
charged.
In 1906 a certain gentleman, very high
in the ranks of the Republican party
and at that time on terms most init
mate with President Roosevelt, delivered
one particular speech $50 reported by d
certain paper in this city, now opposing
the gentleman from oyster Bay. ex'
tolling Mr.. Roosevelt to the skies
Among other things Cas quoted tho
Southern States were particularly urged
to depart from their time-honored ira
dition of mixing Federal Offices" etc.
with politics, 1t Is quite different thes'
times. They appear now TO be required
to mix politics with Federal Offices
Why" To defeat Teddy. I suppose.
Should Mr.. Roosevelt be defeated, So
| far as | am concerned, ! sincerely trus
1t will not be by an old line" Popu
list, now in the low hourse OF Con
gress, nor by a "supposed' aovernO
! II. c. MOHER.
The Washington times., 1912-03-18
TYPES o FLATTER-DAY
POET, STATESMAN, PROPHET

To the Editor of THE TIMES:
Permit me to write my appreciation
of the Mail Bag as forum for the
general public to freely voice their
opinions on all topics. To me this part
of The Times has become a very at
tractive source for learning the real
thoughts-if somewhat brusquc, yct
truthful-of the vast body of the pub
licly unknown. People of leading
thought, action and reform, are not
wholly original. but evolved from the
spiritual and material matter which OK
perence causes common humanity to
suggest.
AS of old, the three greatest types of
leading men are the poet, statesmen,
and prophet; but in these days the ap-
pellation Of poet has deteriorated In
meaning merely a writer of metrical
verses and rhymes, and the words
pioneer and progressive" more ac-
curatcly reveal what kind of person
the ancient poet" was. And now
tratinG these classes Of great men,
namely. WilnSm j. Bryan, the poet,
piping forth new and good ways to
help his countrymen; Robert La Fol
lette the statesman, a reed shaken by
contending factions, but striving to
frame the beneficial ideas of the poet
into workable laws for his countrymen;
and Theodore Roosevelt, the prophet
CRYING in the wilderness for repentance
! and a return to the right and square
Uav Of governing his COuntrYmen. \
! man is not without honor except in has
own country, is a proverb that does not
| annIy to the lesser OF these three grea {
| mon. hut the two greatest are not
! likely To receive the honor owed to them
! by their Countrymcn COHAE'
The Washington times., 1912-03-18
GROUND HOG RECALLED
BY SERVICE PENSIONS

To the Editor of THE TIMES:
Several of my fcllow-veterans have
been heard from in your Mail Bag
about that service pension. Ii has not
been taken note of by the United States
Senate Allow me to explain, that ser
vice pension reminds me of our ground
hog who will get smothered in the hole,
II the weather doesn't change for the
better.
Our United States Senate just now
is too busy with Investigations for the
benefit of our republic. Our United
States Senate reminds me OF the house
of lords in England, rather a precious,
costly representative for the people.
No wonder the English masses wish to
abolish It, In a monarchy the house
OF lords is useful appcndage to rep
resent the upper strata. Whereas in
our republic a simple house of COM
mons should be plenty and sufficient
for the requirements of our citizens
who believe in equality. Here is Il good
chance for our economists.
r. F. PREISSER.
The Washington times., 1912-03-18
A STUDY IN INSULARlTY.

The fear of being surprised by Indians in Cen
tra Park tramped by stampeding buffaloes
Pennsylvania avenue no longer resrans the more
daring of our English cousins from venturing into
the United States. Of course, some of them are
still surprised to find that the Chicago bus does
meet each incoming steamer, and that the trolley
connections with San Francisco frequently in
terrupted, but speaking broadly they getting
little clearer idea of the Land of Magnificent Dis
tances.
The occasional exceptions, therefore, have
piquancy which is all the more delightful. 1t is
like the unconscious humor of Mr. Punch, which is
not negligible, even minor, quantity.
A London parcel recently came through the
mails addressed to a gnee in washington, Da-
kota county, u. S. A." Poor old D. c.! To this
favor has it come! And the Capital of the United
States shrunk to a county site! Perhaps, it is eX-
pecting too much to suppose foreign friends fa-
miliar with the fact that the City of Washington is
but "a geographical EXPRESSION and that the District
of Columbia is the administrative unit. But why
Dakota county, u. S. A.?" Have the imperial Da-
kotas shriveled to span? Have their hundred and
Fifty thousand square miles wasted to the measure
of shire?
And why, moreover this Identification of the
Capital of the United States with the Dakotas,
whether as States or counties? One can fancy the
indulgent smile with which a London Cons gnee
would read superscripton which implied that the
British capital was in the neighborhood Of the north
coast of Iceland, the banks of, the NeVa, in
the suburbs of Bucharest. And yet, mile for/mile
the comparison is accurate.
Do you suppose English cousins are really
proud of such nsuarty? Is it with the outlook
of those tea-cup cosmopoliteS who
Think the cackIe of their village burg
The murmur of the world?
Or we simply not worth while?
About every once in often the tight little
lAland makes us search our hearts for the answer
The Washington times., 1912-03-18

tinuance of the existing system increased, from in
fuences that have always fought such regulation,
Attorney General Wickersham appeared in defense
of the present system and in opposition to the Sims
bill His remarkable statement that, in cases of ap-
peals under the present law, the Department of JUS
tice was free to use its own discretion whether t
would appear for against the maintenance of the
Interstate Commissions order, probably contributed
good deal to getting the measure reported. At any
rate, there seems no doubt that it will pass the
House, and the Senate's present personnel and
tendencies would indicate strongly that it will also
pass that body if it can be forced to vote
The Washington times., 1912-03-18
REPAIRS ARE NOT MADE
AND RENTS ARE HIGH

To tho Editor Of THE TIMES:
Can you explain in Mail Bag how it is
that when we try TO get rent reduced
these days of high cost of living that
they tell us they cannot afford to do It?
Yet they can afford to let them stand
empty months, and should you rent one
Of them they do not want to do any
thing to 1t. | have had to move into
one lately. had not time to look
around. being busy. and to all appear
anCc this house was under repair. SO
soon as deposit was paid everything
changed, | found the paint in a very
dirty plight, no locks or knobs on
doors. and no fasteners on windows.
And when YOU get in there Is no more
done only rent collected In advance. II
YOU could air these things for the read
ers Of The Times l think the common
people would h" much benefited, though
your rent list columns might not be so
large. S. A. G.
The Washington times., 1912-03-18
HARD TO SUPPRESS THE PEOPLE.

1t has been very plain for some time that all
efforts of the Roosevelt managers to for the
people the privilege-rather, the rght-of partcipa
ton in naming delegates to the Republican national
convention, would be fruitlesS Of effect the Taft
organization. Regarding the nomination Of Pres
dent merely as game" and finding that its ancient
and discredited rules" the only ones under
which it would be worth while for him to enter,
Manager Mckinley declines to consider any pro-
posal. He has set the face of his organization as
flint against any concession to the voice of the
people.
month ago this attitude might have justified
some Encouragement among the Roosevelt forces.
Yet affairs stand today it is very doubtful whether
the denial of the primary is going to injure them
very much, The people are manifeSting so much
resentment at the Administrations bold purpose
of eliminating them and trusting entirely. to the ma
chine and the offceholders, that resentment is for
mulatng itself into storm of protest that pakes it.
self felt at every opportunity.
The people of Massachusetts would not be de-
nied their sentiment forced a primary measure
through the Legislature despite the Taft machine;
and Governor Foss promptly signed it. BY fighting
it, the Taft people merely Topped about SO per cent
off their chance of getting majority in the prm-
ary for the people are embittered against the de-
termned policy of gagging them.
Out in Michigan very similar thing happened
The Taft forces not able to prevent a Presi-
dental primary expression; but they strong
enough to postpone that expression until after the
delegates had been selected, with the design that il
should have no real effect.
Note now the result The people in Michigan
are rising up to insist that candidates for delegates
shall pledge themselves to be bound by the primary
expression! Every indication is that the movement
will become so powerful as to compel the cand
dates to accept this condition; and there is no un
certainty about the verdict of the primary itself
Even the Taft people in Michigan admit that Roose
welt will carry it overwhelmingly.
And one important reason why is that the peo
pie want to demonstrate their disgust with the sor
of political Infringement that plays for their vote
on election day, hut doesn't want to hear from then
at any other time!
Colorado, Missouri, Oklahoma every com
munity where the primary test has been ap
plied-shows the same result. The Taft people
made fearful almost certainly fatal, mistake
in fighting primaries, and thereby getting the peopl
aroused to the fact that effort was being made t.
gag them.
The Washington times., 1912-03-18
DESERVE
FAIRNESS AND PATIENCE

To the Editor Of THE TIMES:
Though in the midst Of a heated po-
ltiCal campaign, the trend of public
thought, Judging from the letters in the
Mail Bag. scems along religious lines.
70 my mind. ;his demonstrates that
there is no subIcc: 80 dear to the hu-
man heart as that Of IcliGion. To the
Christian mind this state of affairs
should be most welcome. While the
few scrm mere 3coff1rs, the many
,ccm in search of truth. 1t is right that
they should have it. They should be
treated ruiriv ana patiently bV these
WHO ''know their book" not insult ed
iy thIsn ~ us, who, though burning
with zeal have not the training i'll, or
The Washington times., 1912-03-18
BALANCE IN FAVOR
OF THOSE WHO BELIEVE

To the Editor Of THE TIMES:
! admire and read your paper SIS
times a year. and In view of which |
would suggest that these controversies
relative to the existence or non-exist-
CnCe of Il God be dropped
The atheist says there is no God
the Christian says there Is chow non
0cnslCaD. | am not an atheist, and far
from being a Christian jsorry to say,
but / believe that these controversies
minds IN shaping them either for good
or bad--and probably the latter. ] be-
licve in the golden rule, and II there is
no God We have lost nothing: and II
there is. We have gained a great deal.
DO your best and trust the rest. and ~
the end the accidents of the flesh will
effect but little the immortality that you
and ! shall at last put on,
JOHN =. CAGE.
The Washington times., 1912-03-18
ARMY AND NAVY ORDERS

Smith, at Guantanamo. Craven, at
MornhcII city New Hampshire.
Patapsco, and PatuXent, 1T Norfolk;
Mississippi, Kansas, and CulCOa, at
Hampton Roads: Nebraska, at
TOmpktnsVilc.
ailcd-Nero. from San Pedro for Tt
huron, Cal; Nebraska, from Boston
for Hampton Roads. North Caro-
lima, from Havana for Hampton
Roads; Connecticut, delaware,
Michigan, North Dakota, Louisiana,
Georgia, New Jersey, Rhode Island
Virginia, Minnesota. Missouri, Ohio,
Salem, SolaCe Vulcan, Hector. and
MaIs, from Guantanamo for Hamp-
ton Roads Patterson, from Guam
tanamD for Charleston; Dixie, Reid,
Fit ss"r. l.unaSon, Preston, smith,
DraA ton, PauldinE. Perkins, May
rant Stcrett, Wake. Amman. Bur
rouGnS, Monaghan, and Tripp,, from
GCWtaUamu for Pensacola; Mdrhids,
from navy yard, New York, fCr New
Haven.
The Washington times., 1912-03-18

Authorities or wrestling agree that
Gehring OF Cleveland, is the middle
weight, ana Young Miller, pr st. Paul,
the welterwcight, champion of America.
Where 90 Turner an1 Duchcsne coiue
in? Probably the hest middlcweight
Turner has defeated recently is Sam
Anderson, and he never held the title
and never claimed more thun tho Welsh
chs mpionship. DO they expect us
wre stlihg fans 20 fall for anything they
choose TO Rand o'n 10 us?
The last match pulled Oft here, was 4
disappointment to many. SIyh cXhibi
t'on5 rS that nut IN hv Max Miller will
XII the game If continued. Wrestling
fans want TO see the real artiClc-nOt
mere exhibitions.
Finally, ! want TO say 20 those who
Rave fallen rnr this worlds Chan:Ci N
ship dope, that such titles are not won
In matches staged as added attractions
to some burl6sque show. FAN.