Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-05-14
What is wrong with beggars on the

What is wrong with beggars on the
streets?
The answer is, there is nothing wrong
with them. If there are beggars in
Washington, they should be on the
streets, every last one of them.
The trouble with those who speak
against the street begging fraternity is
that they believe in the old adage, "Out
Of sight, out of mind"
The sight Of a mendicant troubles
them.
they do not want to contribute, and
they do not ike the idea of not con-
tributing.
Hence such persons find it more
pleasant to walk their favorite way
freed from the sight of legless or sight
less men.
They would have q thoroughfare
Travelled only by we'll dressed human
beings with the full complement of legs
arms and eyes.
Life has not treated every one as
holiday material. Unfortunately there
women in the world.
Hospitals and social agencies can tel
tales of these people. If some of them
dare the winds of Winter, and the heat
of Summer, to sit on pavementS, in the
sight of all men, the action has some
aspects of bravery in 1t. has 1t net?
Certainly few of those who pass sc
thoughtlessly would be willing, in like
situation, to sit beneath the glare OF
their own contempt.
The worldwide depression of recent
months has been q red flag OF warning
a large flag that all may see.
The beggar has been, for centuries, q
small red flag which many have been
willing to overlook, even If they see it
The mendicant stands or sits on the
street corner as perpetual reminder
that the world has by no means reached
perfection. Even In the perfect state
tionable II there would not be place
for beggars.
For the fact that this crippled man
Is here on the corner. is proof both to
paSsersby and to him that he is bona
fide brother Of humanity, and they are
his.
IT were q shame, indeed, II cities
get so obsessed with the idea OF beauty,
as wonderful as that is, that the in
habitants positively could not bear the
sight of anything which tended to mar
their ideas Of exquisite harmony and
completeness.
No, the cities Of men know incom-
pletencss, as every human being knows
1t, in one way or another. We are al
incomplete, in some way or another
and it Is we'll for us If we do not for
get 1t, and are not allowed to forget it
John Dome, dean of st. Pauls, who
had way with him, put it after this
wise: He that Expresses the poor
digs in dunghill for wormes; and he
departs from that posture which Gcd
in nature gave him, that Is, erect, to
look upward; for his eye is always down
upon them that lie in the dust, under
his feet
"Certlinly, he that seares up him
selfe and makes himselfe insensible to
the cries. and curses OF the poor here
in this world, does but prepare him.
selfe for the howlings, and gnashings OF
teeth. in the world to come.
1T is the Serpent's taste, the Ser
penis diet, 'Duste shalt thou cate al
the days of thy life; and he feeds but
en- dust, that Expresses the poor.
And as there Is evidently more in
humanity, more violation on nature, in
this oppression, than in emulation. Sc
may there well seem t. be more i'm
piety, and more violation of God him.
selfe, by that word. which the holy
Ghost chooses in the next place, which
is Reproach, He that Expresses the
poor, reproacheS his Maker"