The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-03-18
THE BLESSING or SIMPLICITY.

THE BLESSING or SIMPLICITY.
Probably Mrs Woodrow Wilson and the ladies
Of the cabinet are doing more to repress the
white Slave traffic In the large cities and to
soothe social unrest than Lieutenant Governor
0Eara, OF Illinois. and all the other theorists
with their diverse theories. These women are
setting the fashion Of simplicity and unoetenta-
tiously discouraging ostentation. Some of the
cabinet women actually have had the courage to
confess that they must live within their hus
hands salaries. Therefore. they attend functions
and go abroad IN clothes appropriate for people
of moderate means. and live in modest homes
End entertain in proportion to their incomes.
0stentation and displays Of wealth and gran
Eeur are old as human vanity. which IS old as the
human race. They are peculiarly offensive in
appropriate and dangerous in this country and
In this day. It used to be that the masses of
the people were taught nothing especially but to
stay in where their social places and stations
were supposed 10 be and to be content not even
daring 10 envy or initiate their betters At
times attempts were made by law to regulate
even the dress of the persons of different classes
in the community Now we are spending every
year millions Of dollars and endless labor to
teach all the people to feel know and think
We are giving effort and money 10 stimulate the
ambitions and develop the intelligence of the
general public Establishing thus a great popu-
lation of thinking and ambitious people, we play
with fire when we faunt before it differences
in social position and opportunity and in wealth
and possessions.
The working girl. for instance. concerning
whose morals Governor O'Hara is so acutely-
and, generally speaking, probably unnecessarily
concerned. has womanly love and admiration for
beautiful things. personal adornment and pleas
ure That is an instinct perfectly natural and
proper. When she has paraaed before her con
stantly magntdcence and display, her imagina,
ton is excited and she Ia stirred to imitation
falls into debt and then into trouble and her
whole system of thought and scheme Of life are
perverted.
IT is entirely right that people who. by luck
inheritance, skill or brains have money should
spend and enjoy it and allow themselves the
comforts and eIegancies of life. One of the most
Irritating and disturbing elements of our present
life is the senseless tendency Of these people to
assert superiority in intrusive ways, to adyer
tise in season and out, on every possible occasion
and on made occasions their luxury and riches
One of the reasons why New York and Chicago
are hotbeds of socialism and anarchy Is the
continual, yociferous, frequently vulgar exhibit
tons in the face of the poor Of the power and
glitter OF unlimited dollars Great masses Of
money make wrath among the masses who lack
It natural superstition would be that where
there is great wealth there would be general
content. Because Of the folly of the rich the
contrary is the case.
Washington takes it's fashions and tone from
the White House and the higher official circles
Let us hope that the example now being given
from these circles Will be followed closely. There
III no need for boorishness or affectation OF hu
mility or neglect OF the sensible and seemy
ccnventionalities. There is great need. every
where in this country, for recognition among
educated and wealthy people of the conditions in
which we live Of the spirit and tendencies and
facts Of the times II people Of those classes
do not care TO be In sympathy and touch with
the masses of the people, they should at least
realize the power of the people and the peril
of deliberately and vaingoriously scattering
seeds OF discomfort and dissatisfaction