New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1923-09-29

Mana nature drives him ever on
ward. He 10 forever seeking deyeis
epment. Al one time II may be by
the chase. al another by warfare, and
again By the quiet arts Of peace and
commerce. hut something within Is
ever calling him on TO ''replenish the
earth and subdue H."
II may be OF little importance 10
determine al any time Just where We
are. but II Is OF the utmost importance
10 determine whittier We are going.
Set the course Alright and time must
bring mankind 10 the ultimate goal.
We are living In commercial age.
II 10 often designated as seinsh and
materialistie. We are told that every
thing has been eommercialised. They
say II has not been enough that this
spirit should dominate the marts OF
trade. II has spread 10 every avenue
OF human endeavor. 10 our arts. our
sciences and professions. our politics.
our educational institutions and even
into the pulpit. and because OF this
there are those who have gone so
far In their criticism OF commercial
ism an TO advocate the destruction OF
all enterprise and the abolition OF all
property.
Destructive criticism Ia always easy
because. despite some campaign ora
tory. some OF us are not yet perfect.
But constructive criticism is not 80
easy. The faults OF commerciaiism,
like many other faults. lie In the use
we make of II. Before we decide
upon a wholesale condemnation OF
the most noteworthy spirit OF modern
times II would be well to examine
carefully what that spirit has done to
advance the welfare Of mankind.
Our Debt TO Business.
Wherever we can read human his |
tory, the answer Is always the same. !
Where commerce has f,ourished there
has increased. It'has not
sufficed that men should tend their |
focks. and maintain themselves In
comfort on their industry alone, how
ever great. 1t is only when the ex-
change of products begins that devel-
opment follows. This was the case
In ancient Babylon, whose records Of
trade and banking We are just be-
ginning to read. Their merchandise
went by canal and caravan to the
ends OF the earth. 1t was not the
war galleys, but the merchant vessel
Of Phoenicia, of Tyre, and Carthage
that brought them civilization and
power. Today 1t is not the battle
feet, but the mercantile marine which
IN the end will determine the des-
.iny of nations. The advance Of our
own land has been due to our trade,
md the comfort and happiness of our
people are dependent on our general
business conditions. IT is only figure
II poetry that wealth accumulates
Ind men decay" Where wealth has
there the arts and sci
ion has been. diffused, and Of con-
liberty has been born.
The progress Of man has been meas :
lred by his commercial prosperity.
believe that these considerations are
efficient to justify our business en-
erprise and activity, but there are
till deeper reasons.
I have intended to indicate not only
hat commerce is an instrument of
reat power, but that commercial de- :
elopment is necessary to all human !.
rogress. What, then, of the prev
lent criticism? Men have mistaken
he means for the end. 1t is not I.
nough for the individual or the ma
lon to acquire riches. Money will !
OF purchase character or good gov
We are under the injunc-
ion to "replenish the earth and SUBJ
ue it," not so much because of the a
clip a new earth will be to us, as C
ecause by that process man is to c
nd himself and thereby realize his b
ighest destiny Men must work for p