The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-04-26
OF large expense, where 1t could now be &C
ccmplished at nominal cost.
FRIENDSHIP,


essays on loneliness. Except In the case
Of genius who is eaten up witn MS own
plans, the human animal Graves companion
ship. The problem OF the man isolated from
his fellows Is the ultimate Of human misery.
Whatever Il man may know, whatever he may
be capable OF. he is worthless unless he have
the recreation OF the human touch, tho
familiar word.
Most of us somehow achieve this Panacea
OF human woes. We find and maze acquain-
tances. not so much because need
them The human mind must let oil its steam.
or burst. To an extent. there is different
need of confidence. Here We want not ac-
quaintaucea but friends. The average run OF
human beings Ia fit for almost every deeper
ate adventure. if 1T have not the anchor OF
friendship.
Comes the ah'em OF whom shall make
u friend Win he betray us? VIII he use a
freely-tendered confession to orr ruin? VIII
be build ON our hopes. fatten on bur disclo-
srres? Along with the neec or friendship
runs the necessity of caution.
A certain very conspicuous friendship which
these observations Because the arena Is one
of national politics does not make the case
a. whit. less human more self-compelling-
What happens with respect to the presidency
is happening all around US. The tragedy Ia
no less keen because it is flashed on a larger
canvass. We personal interest personal
ambition. personal Indifference to the rights
- ri,r iJ-yrid do
the cynical doctrine that every man must stand
alone. confident in the expectation that some
cre is waiting in the shadow, and under the
cloak of affection. 10 cut his throat.
This is loss to the whole nation, to the
whole world. When the world-wise aphorisms
Of the street find confirmation IN the high
est places the result Is certain to be trimming
full Of. harm. For a great many OF the mil
lions who go to make this country take their
morals their ideals, even their thoughts, from
those who are in the public eye. Almost every
man has known the personal bitterness OF
being double crossed by a friend When the
two most noted friends in the country come 70
open blows after a campaign OF treachery 1t Is
time, we are apt to say, for the average man
to thank God for his enemies
In spite of which, we still believe IN friend
ship. We still have faith in the protestatIons
of men that come haltingly and bashfully TO
admit fondness which they nave held to
the limit of secrecy. woman who first con-
fesses her love is a miracle of sentiment In
a way less sweet, the man wno first admits
friendship is even more wonderful because
u costs him so much more woman wants
IN he loved; man is convicted against MS
vii, of his love for his friend.
Who cares whether Teddy cuts Howard $
throat? Let us not be dazzled by pubic ex-
amples which In private life would be frult
calling for ostracism. Probably in the num-
ble experience which every r1an aceumula'es
some friend has done for him what Roose-
Welt has done for Taft, That is no reason 70
see the world black and the sun. dim frleno-
ship remains, despite It's to numerous be-
trayals. Who find it has found the jewel whlch
makes life worth living-without which Nv
ing life itself would be mockery.