|
Main
- books.jibble.org
My Books
- IRC Hacks
Misc. Articles
- Meaning of Jibble
- M4 Su Doku
- Computer Scrapbooking
- Setting up Java
- Bootable Java
- Cookies in Java
- Dynamic Graphs
- Social Shakespeare
External Links
- Paul Mutton
- Jibble Photo Gallery
- Jibble Forums
- Google Landmarks
- Jibble Shop
- Free Books
- Intershot Ltd
|
books.jibble.org
Previous Page
| Next Page
Page 44
Democracy, nursing what it deems to be its economic wrongs, and not
unnaturally regarding the wealthy classes with bitter anger, has yet to
learn that capital was largely the creation of the Puritan character,
and that the prosperity of these British Islands was laid in no small
measure by the thrift and temperance of those who lived simply because
they thought deeply. Capital, without which Labour could have done
little, is not a contrivance of the noisy rich, but the deliberate
creation of virtuous men. Capital, now regarded as an enemy, was once
the visible best friend of Labour.
Where is there now among the possessing classes an example even of
simplicity in dress, modesty in behaviour, temperance in conduct, and
thrift in living? As for any higher example--an example of wisdom, duty,
self-sacrifice, and moral earnestness--it is nowhere visible in our
national life to those who look upward.
Until we recover this ancient spirit our politics must continue their
descent to the abyss, and democracy will listen to the corrupting
delusions of the economic Socialist.
We need the Puritan element in our characters, the Hellenic element in
our minds, and the Christian element in our souls. We must set a higher
value on moral qualities, on intellectual qualities, and on Christian
qualities. We must learn to see, not gloomily and heavily, but with joy
and thanksgiving, that our world is set in the midst of an infinite
universe, that it has a purpose in the scheme of things, that we are all
members one of another, and that there is no grandeur of character,
mind, or soul which can ever be worthy of creation's purpose.
Less flippancy in the world would lead to more seriousness, more
seriousness would lead to greater intelligence, and greater intelligence
would lead to nobler living.
"The cure for us," said George Sand, "is far more simple than we will
believe. All the better natures amongst us see it and feel it. It is a
good direction given by ourselves to our hearts and consciences."
Let each man ask himself, Is my direction worthy of man's past and
hopeful for his future?
* * * * *
"_An instantaneous success_"
+Mirrors of Washington+
+Anonymous+
_Octavo. Portraits_
+HARDING+ It does to our great and near-great
+WILSON+ what the "gentleman with a duster"
+HUGHES+ did to eminent Englishmen in "The
+HARVEY+ Mirrors of Downing Street." It tells
+HOUSE+ painfully plain truths about the personalities
+HOOVER+ of those in whose hands our
+ROOT+ destinies lie or have lain. It is searching
+LODGE+ in its analyses, and contains fourteen
+BORAH+ discerning, piercing, sometimes
+KNOX+ satirical, always brilliant, character
+PENROSE+ studies. "And," says the _N.Y. Eve.
+LANSING+ Post_, "it contains indiscretions delicious
+BARUCH+ enough to satisfy the most
+JOHNSON+ exacting." 14 portraits and 14
amusing caricatures by Cesare.
_Chicago Daily News_: "We recommend it because it gives a startling and
clear picture of Washington's fourteen great political figures--an
unusual picture, quite different from anything we have had thus far in
American critical writing. A chuckling expos� of the good and bad in
American politics ... succinct word pictures, penetrating anecdotes ...
not vicious ... gently, with a charmingly unobtrusive sapiency, the
mysterious pen has traced the ludicrous outlines of the nation's
anointed.... The book should be read by all hands and all parties. It is
not partisan ... the sort of education which may be acquired once in a
lifetime."
Previous Page
| Next Page
|
|