L-
8
EVENING LEPGEB-PHILAPEkPHIA, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, JOU
stro
,ouP
i Por;
EVENING $sHj LEDGER
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IVIKt IS SFlOD-it IS MAIL MAtTlR.
i'iiiui)f.ipiti, wi.tiMisim, m i' mini, it 2.1. I'll i
Pciiroscism is Democracy's Chief As?ot
THERE will be no weeping In the White
House if Penfoselsm In Indoiscd In Penli
b iMitiiu. Tlio Demmi'itc) Is quite ready to
do without one vote in the Henute In teturn
lnr the continued use nt t'cnrosplsm tin enitl
paign material. It Itu8 n uinjorltv, unjliuw.
T1h President knows, and hl. advisers know,
that l'.i liner victorious will not he worth hale
so much to tin party ns Palmer defeated. If
the Ui-puhliinns In this Stnto wish to deul the
Administration u mighty Mow, they cun do
It by eliminating Penroseism ns nn Issue In
AmeiiLnn politics.
Intoxication of the I'diiocius Pilaccus
No, THIS is not a new cocktail nor a cor
dial of monastic inanitfncliirc. For this
devotee of the "gluss that cheers" many and
various huvc been the sulwlltutes devised,
but it has remained for modern science to
discover a stimulant more potent than alco
hol and. if leports are correct, with no nftir
depression. The lmnoelus pllaceus Is wild to confer
upon the partaker thereof :slonn ns radiant,
ns exhilarating, ns lltirly hallucinatory as
those of hasheesh, as subliminal as the men
tal v.iporliiRB of opium and u fecnsc of super-woll-lielng
and Ilt-feellng transcending that
nffoided by tho vintages of Burgundy or
John Barleycorn.
The panoehts pllaceus Is a mushroom. Its
dlscovny is announced by no less ii savant
than rr. A. E. Verrill. of Yale I'lilversity.
In the current number of Science ho de
scribes tho "case of Mr. AW," a middle-aged
man, vigorous, strictly temperate ami a bot
anist, who experimented with the hilarious
f uncus According to tho description, the
panoelus pilnceus Is delicate, umbrella-shaped
and will prow In any garden.
Possibly with (leld, gardens and flower
beds given over to n fond and assiduous cul
tivation of the newly discovered fungus, the
reign of Bacchus) may be over!
Imagination Lifts Up Posterity
WH, TUB people, need to have eyes of
imagination in order that wo may be
' riuud citizens. A voter with sulliclent ability
to see the rest of mankind and the genera
tions et unborn will sacrifice his conven
ience, and even much more, to go to the polls.
The In tter we come to know mankind
the actual character and lives of ppople whom
perh.ips we huvc never f-een or never will
see the stronger grows our altruism, which
Is a normal quality of human nature. Tho
literature of the magazines Is rendering an
invaluable service. It Is forwurding a grad
ual reconciliation of classes and races by Its
vivid portrayal of what people really are.
It is bringing our conception of "the rest
of humanity" nearer to the human reality.
The pscho!ogy that tells us clearly how
we are separated by time, rather than space,
from those who will bo alTocted by our acts.
Is important in the development of civic
Imagination. For every ton of coal that wo
mine, for every beautiful hillside that we rob
of its forests, for every law put on the stat
ute books by tho Legislators that wo elect,
for every vote that Is cat at the polls, we
nre answerable to future generations.
Without Imagination it is impossible to
comprehend our civic responsibilities.
Young Men Will IN'ot He Tricked
TIlli; was when men voted as they wor
shiped, as their fathers did before them.
Example was everything. 1'arty lines were
rigid and men voted blindl, as they wero
told, for tho parties' candidates, irrespective
of tho merits of tho other sidu.
Times are changed. That's trite, hut true.
We live In a different day and generation.
Today tho Intelligent man who is not tied
down by paid party ervice owns his own
vote, lie and his fellows have begun to
weigh men, methods and policies. They are
thinking for themselves. Their ranks are in
creasing daily. You see It in the revolt at tho
Progressives, in their return to the Repub.
lican fold whon they found themselves tricked
by their leaders and deluded by false prom
Ises.
Thtso are the men who count, tho men who
think for themselves. Through them tho
hope of scotching the snake of Penroaeiam
comes.
Worth tlio Purchase
WH1LK Congressmen are busying them
selves over a bill fur emergency taxa
tion. It may interest others to take a little
historical excursion buck to February 10,
17S3. cm that Jty Peluuah Webster published
In Philadelphia, at the very doors of tho
Congress of the Confederation, an entirely
new plan of federal Government One of
the basic principles involved was tho indo.
pendent authority of the Federal Government
to levy taxes. No Federal system that had
ever existed had been armed with the power
to tax, and Pelatlah's proposal was without
a precedent in history. In the Constitutional
Convention of J7ST it was adopted, though
writers of text-boobs have been in the habit
of giving the credit to other men-
The power of taxation." Webster said. "Is
a dreadful engine of oppression, tyranny and
Jnjur. when til-used, yet ... I do can
lend that our Vnion ts worth this purchase."
Socialists Flirt Willi War
ACCOUUING to the reports of American
.correspondents, the Socialist movement in
Germany has disappeared in these times of
war. Vorwaerts, the famous Socialist paper,
bus turned patriotic and for the rim time
In Its history xny e sold on Government
property and even In tho army A few weeks
ago the Socialist deputies In the Reichstag
oted unanimously fo'the war credits. In
V
Franco, Mnrccl Sembat and Jules Gucsde
joined tho Cabinet, abandoning their part In
petty political quarrels. Gustavo Herve,
called by somebody "nntl-mllltnrlst, anti-par-liamcntnrlan,
nntl-pntrlot," naked the French
Minister of War to send him to tho front
with the llrst regiment of Infantty.
In the mlntls of these men there Is no
Isstlo now, It there ever was, between so
cialism and patriotism. Only the weakest
thliikcru among tho socialistic groups sco nn
antagonism between tho two. Patriotism,
moreover, is rooted far deeper In human na
ture than socialism, with n possible exception
In tho caso of the Inferior socialism of tho
very smallest men. Patriotism Is -no oJ tho
highest expressions of the human trait of
loolt. It is loyalty to "all we have and
arc." It Is really conservatism.
Using Childhood to Muddy the Waters
mill: massed cohorts of tho Organization
JLwero able by tho slender margin of one
vii to to override the Mayor's veto of tho
Municipal Court grab. In explanation of this
notion, .lohn P. Connelly, commander-in-chief
of Penloselsm in Council!-, declared, so tho
report runs, that "It comes with exceedingly
bad grace from tho gentleman on tho second
Hoor (tho Mayor) to obstruct tho efforts tho
Municipal Court Is making to help tho delin
quent child."
The Municipal Court has been chiefly noted
up to th's time for helping Itself to the funds
of tho municipality. The solicitude of Mr.
Connelly for childhood might have aroused
thn sympathy and support of all good citi
zens hmt they not read elsewhere, In the same
Kue of the Kvr.Nt.vo I.KPorm, tho declaration
of Paul N. rurmnit. secretary of the Child
Labor Association of Pennsylvania, that cer
tain deplorable conditions In tho matter of
child labor In Pennsylvania arc "due entirely
to tho Influence of tho Penrosc-controlled
political machine" It Is bad enough to have
such ti grab ns this Municipal Court adven
ture will be.- if achieved, put through, but
1 Is positively nauseating to have the re
sponsibility for It placed on children who
cannot speak for themselves
Things That Abide In a Changing Order
TIMi: never halts. War or nn war, the
seasons come and go. Tho rose withers
on the stem, and already the pencils of
autumn begin to tint the leaves. The guns
of Hurope do not stop the sun, though they
may smash tho clok. Time moves on like
a liver.
It Is n satisfaction to know that some
things are above tho might of man. The
Imperishable forres of life abide abovo the
danger line of rust and moth and gunpowder.
The Uhelms Cathedral may bo laid In ruins,
but the devotion that built It Is everlasting.
In the world clash between materialism nnd
Idealism it Is well to lay hold of the best
things the indestructible forces of truth,
true love, friendship and every reality of life.
These realities are like blocks of granite in
a sea of changing conditions. Tho fact that
others have gone mad Is only another reason
why the rest of us should remain sane.
In Reply to Gerhardt Ilnttptinann
NO OSU will dispute Hnuptmann's conten
tions that Germany, the Germany of
"Kant nnd Schopenhauer," Is tho great bea
con light of civilization. No one will dispute
that she has brought immortal contributions
upon the altar of art, science, Industry and
literature. Uut all, all who think in the light
of Inexorable historical facts, will dispute the
brazen claims of the ruling clu&s of Germany
that German Industry and the feudal ideas
of government nnd administration should
dominate the rest of the world. This Is not
it right for the "preservation of German
culture." It is rather a battle for the libera
tion of German culture and all culture from
military nnd financial I'russlnnism. Tho
defeat of Geimuny will bo tho victory of
Geimany and the victory of the entire world.
jN'efarious Political Brokerage
POPULAR government consists In tho con
trol of political utTiiirs by public opinion.
UossiMii and popular government are incon
sistent. The boss,," says President Lowell, ol
Harvard, "does not act mainly as an expo
nent of public opinion or frame tho issues
theiefor. Ho cares little for public policy or
legislation relating to the general welfare
so long as he K allowed to pursue his trade
in peace. He is a political broker, but ono
whose business relates far less to subjects of
a genuine public opinion than to private
benefits."
The reason why the boss has been allowed
to continuo at his nefarious trado is public
indlfforonce. So declares James Rryce, whoso
Judgment comes of long and close observa
tion of American politics. How long ts this
indifference to continue? How long aro tho
voters to ovorlook tho weapon which lies at
hand? Unlesa all signs fail they are going to
use It in Pennsylvania on next olectlon day.
Indlfferenco to public welfare Is a crime
of citizenship.
The "safety first" program is not making
much headway In I'urope.
Everybody except the Interstate Commerce
Commission thinks the railways are entitled
to relief.
Doctor Brumbaugh Js confounding hli
critics nnd he will confound Penroseism be
fore he gets through.
N'ow Jersey has a habit of standing by tho
Presldont, The Democracy gets the credit
for Woodrow Wilson's personal victories.
Herman Ridder explains that the war Is
"an expression of tho acute neurasthenia
from which tho nations are suffering." This,
of course, makes it entirely plain; but isn't it
Stealing Mr. Wilson's ps etiological theory?
'"' ' 'p i " iwi' mn
New York's 1100,000,000 loan overstibscribeJ
three times by private Investors and a tidy
bit of the money from Philadelphia! We still
have a few pennies to rub together in splto
of the pessimists.
It would have been a fine thing for Penn
sylvania If Mr. Knox had offered for the
Senate last spring. It would he a finer thing
if Mr Penrose would retire In his favor now.
Cm such things do not happen in Penroseism.
The world does move. It seems but yeiter.
day that universal excitement was caused by
a successful aeroplane flight across tho Chan
nel from Franco to England. Just a few days
ago JS British army 'plunes were reported to
be making the passage from England to
France at one time
Thirty-six thousand tons of British ar
mored cruisers are at the bottom of the North
Sea as the result of a submarine attack
Measured in dollars, there is no comparison
between cruisers and submarines, measured
in results, the little fellows have nothing to
be ashamed of
.PASSED BY THE CENSOR
THAT Joseph lllrt, the nrtlst, married a
Philadelphia girl shows his good sense!
that ho was chased a couple of thousand
miles by nn earthquake is Indlcatlvo of his
ability to dodge trouble. It begnn In San
Francisco, whero lllrt was more or less busy
drawing cartoons for a dally paper. It so
happened that ho was not busy on tho night
In question, thnt Is, not until the earthquake
started then he became extraordinarily so.
In fact, he never stopped being busy until
ho reached Oakland In safety, minus cloth
ing nnd money. For three weeks ho lived In
the refugee camp, awaiting a remittance
from his family In this city. Then, dis
gusted, ho became a passenger de luxo on a
freight train for Los Angeles. Hut work and
money wero even senrcer there, nnd so ho
continued In haphazard fashion until Chi
cago wns reached. ,
There he heenmo chef In a quick lunch
room for a week, but, having higher aspira
tions, ho started onco again, this tlmo for
Htiffalo. There, too, work was unobtainable.
For two weeks ho managed to eke out a de
cidedly precarious living. One day, Just by
chance, ho sauntered Into the postolllco nnd
Inquired nt the general delivery whether any
mall bad been forwarded to him via L03
Angeles, Kansas City, St. Louis, Chicago,
etc. There wns, said the man. In tho letter,
which wan from home, was nn express order
for J200.
lllrt says that ho dined that night nnd tho
nfter effects of thnt dinner will bo his death
somo day, but he doesn't care now, for ho
Is wed to that Philadelphia girl nnd has
moio oi tiers than he can fill.
I HAVE no desire to claim credit for
the discovery, but I have found tho
champion fisherman, nnd ho halls from To
ledo. His nnme Is Howard Welgle nnd he
dates his fish story from Frankfort, Mich.
According to this modern Izaak Walton, he
went fishing near Frankfort during his va
cation In 1913. In the course of time he
hooked a huge pickerel, which, nfter a long
struggle, got away. This summer Welgle
went to the same stream and dropped his
lino Into the hole loft In tho water by tho
dropping of the escaping fish. A cast wns
made, a bite and Welgle had caught the
.same fish, so he says. In Its gill was fast
ened the selfsame halt which Welgle had
lost tho previous summer. Which proves
that, nfter nil, somo fish aro honest enough
to return things which do not belong to
them.
TAKING breakfast with a real, live Presi
dent Is undoubtedly nn honor, but some
times there are drawbacks, ns in this In
stance. I had been In Johannesburg, South
Africa, for well nigh a year, when Wllllnm J.
Leyds, Secretary of State, Invited me to par
take of a frugal morning meal with Presi
dent Kruger. So to Pretoria, the capital, I
wont by stage coach, 35 miles In six hours,
and cnlled upon the Staats-Sckreiaer.
"I suppose 8 o'clock Is the breakfast hour?"
I asked.
"The President has a Cabinet meeting at
4 In the morning, so you'd better come half
an hour before that," leplled Doctor Leyds.
Regretfully I retired, sleepily I arose,
dressed and went to the little cottage which
frerved for the Uocr White House. It was
still dark, but the President, surrounded by
Generals Joubert, De Wet, Uotha and Doctor
Leyds, was awaiting my coming. For ten
minutes Oom Paul cross-examined me on
America; then A'row Kruger brought hugo
bowls of steaming coffee and black 'bread,
covered with real crenmery butter. And at
4 n. m. sharp tho Boer Cabinet went Into
session with prayer.
DO YOU recall that when you went to
school you were Induced to learn some
thing about Peter tho Great and Catherine
nnd how wicked and cruel Catherine was?
Well, she wusn't so bad ns you imagine,
for Diderot, tho encyclopedist, says she wns
not, and ho knew. Desiring to provide a
dowry for his daughter and not having tho
means, Diderot decided to sell his magnifi
cent library. It enmo to Catherine's cars
nnd she sent for Diderot.
Then she showed how cruel sho could
really bo when the occasion offered Itself.
She bought tho library at Diderot's own
price, made him the librarian of her new
purchase and
Paid him 50 years' salary In advance!
IT IS a considerable step from Presidents
nnd Empresses to n mere Mayor, but
there was ono Mayor who wns as autocratic
in his way ns wus Oom Paul or Catherine
the late William J. Gaynor, whose lost offi
cial words wero, "I have been Mayor." In
contradistinction to some of his predecessors,
who wero mere tools of Tammany, Mr. Gay
nor was recklessly fearless in his outspoken
opinions. He cured not whom he hit nor
what tho consequences might be. Ono Inci
dent shows this clearly. He had been in
ofllco two days when a friend called on him.
After tho usual preliminaries, Mr. Gaynor
commented upon previous administrations
and their lock of common sense.
"My predecessor in this ofllce was the
smallest man who ever sat in the Mayor's
chair!" thundered Mr. Gaynor, bringing his
first down on his desk. That predecessor
was George B. McClellan, son of tho Little
General, who fought Tammany furiously
and wns crushed beneath the claws of the
tiger. Not thnt there was ever a breath of
suspicion of wrong against Mr. McClellan,
but ho played politics Instead of governing
the city and paid the price.
ONCE upon n time there was a political
boss in Philadelphia, and there are more
of them now. A reporter asked him one day
whether Jones, which wasn't his name, would
be nominated for Congress.
"If WE think our opponents will win,
Jones will be nominated; If WE think WE
will win, then I will be named."
Jones was nominated. If this were a short
story or a play, Jones would have won, Just
to mako a dramatic climax. But this being
a true tale, Jones was everlastingly licked.
BRADFORD.
CURIOSITY SHOP
The famous Salic Law is a chapter in the
Salian code regarding the succession to Salic
lands, which were limited to male heirs,
chiefly because certain military duties were
connected with tho holding of those lands. In
the fourteenth century females were excluded
from the throne of France by the application
of the Salic law.
"Jerusalem" Whalley walked from Dublin
to the Holy Land and back in one year, on a
wager of nearly $100,000, a large sum In the
days of 1758-80. Being asked in Jest where
he was going, he replied "To Jerusalem" and
then and there the wager was undertaken,
the condition being that the Journey be made
on foot, save where it wtvs necessary to take
a ship. He started In 178$ and nniahed la
Juno of tho following year, winning In addi
tion to tho money, tho sobriquet of "Jeru
salem," "Fleet marriages" wore so common In Eng
land at one tlmo that between October 19,
1704, nnd February 12, 1705, thero wero con
tracted 2954 marriages In Fleet prison, Lon
don, from which the ceremonies derived their
nnme. Twenty to thirty couples were wedded
In n day, their names being concealed by prl
'ate mnrks upon payment of nn extra fee.
Tho first marriage net of 1753 stopped this
abuse,
The English word "lullaby" Is thought to
have a strange origin. It la snld that LUIth
or Llllls, the first wife of Atlnm, nccordlng to
the legend, haunted tho abodes of men, seek
ing to kill their children. So wncn mothers
lulled their babies to Rlcep they exclaimed,
"Lllla, nbl!" ("Begone llllth"), this being con
verted Into "lullaby."
IN A SPIRIT OF IIUMOR
Why Exchange Editors Die
With a daring worthy of a better cause, the
editor grasped his shears, adjusted his eye
glasses, nnd from the heap of newspapers
before him extracted tho following gems:
Adclbert Fuller Is back nt homo from Pltts
flcld, where he nttends school on nccount of
illness.
Miss Vera Cnstner returned to tho hospital
In Grand Rapids after nearly two months'
vacation.
G. R. Clifton, Third, nnd Lowell Boncwcll
have gone to Grand Rnpids, Minn., for u visit
with those who havo gone before.
But Not for Father
LOTT-HAUDER
Caption nf rtultalo ucddlng report.
Fair Warning
Maid nt Country Hotel "Please, sir, will
you use tho hot wnter soon, ns thero's an 'olo
in tho can?1' London Punch.
Internal Strategy
For Idiotic strategy why not have the
French name ono of their towns Ipecac and
let the Germans tako It? It would bo all up
with them. Chicago Tribune.
A Burning Question
Parke Is your house Insured ugninst fire?
Lane I don't know. I've Just been residing
over tho insurance policy. Life.
For Home Industries
"What Is your opinion of our foreign rela
tions?" asked the patriotic citizen.
"They don't do you nny good,' replied the
local politician. "What you want Is n lot of
relations right here In your own country
that'll vote the way you tell 'em to. Wash
ington Star.
Wedded Persiflage
Miss Fluff Mr. Deepthought, do you think
marrluge Is n failure?
Mr. Deepthought Well, tho bride never
gets tho best man. ludgo.
International Diet
It Is reported that the animals of tho Ber
lin zoo havo been killed for food, whlcb
may explain why tho Germans have latelj
taken to eating crow.
War Fever
I used to think that Jones was strong
Within the law's domain.
But now I know that 1 was wrong
Ills forte's Alsace-Lorraine!
And Smith (another sudden blow)
His hobbles, r wns sure,
Were golf anrf cigarettes, but no!
They're Brussels and Namur.
And Brown, so reticent before.
Now keeps waylaying mo
To mobilize whole army corps
Of words on strategy!
And Green, who thought tho one best bet
Wns peace. Is now nlas!
Continually storming Metz
Armed with n demi-tasse.
And Johnson but enough of splto!
The worst of all I am,
For on a tablecloth last night
I drew a diagram!
New York Times.
The Inquiry Courteous
Exasperated telephone subscriber (having
found six dlfferont numbers engaged)
"Well, what numbers HAVE you got?"
London Punch.
The Horrors of War
Ethel (In npprehenslve whisper which
easily reaches her German governess, to
whom sho is deeply nttached) Mother, shall
wo havo to kill Fraulcln? London Punch.
To Cover the Ground
Tho grent American novel that
Tho nation still expects
Will have to bo, experts agree,
In 40 dialects.
Louisville Courier-Journal.
A Man and His Money
A Scot of Peebles said to his friend MacAn
drew: "Mac, I hear ye have fallen hi love wl'
bonny Kato McAllister."
"Wcel, Sanders." Mao replied, "I wis near
verra near daeln' It; but the bit lassie had nne
siller, so I said to maself, 'Mac, bo a mon.' And
I wis a mon, and noo I Jist pass her by." Ar
gonaut. The Retort Frosty
"I suppose, captain," said tho Inquisitive
ocean voyager, "that the passengers make
you dreadfully tired with the questions they
"Yes, Indeed," replied tho captain. "What
else Is It you want to know?"
Funny
Turkey protests ngalnst the Jests In
American newspapers at her expense. If
Turkey will stay out of the wur she will not
be a, Joke. Washington Post.
Super-Optimist
"What a cheerful woman Mrs. Smiley Is."
"Isn't she? Why, do you know, that wo
man can have a good tlmo thinking what a
good time sho would have If aha wore hav
ing It." Boston Transcript.
STAIN NOT THE SKY
Ye gods of battle, lords of fear.
Who work your iron will an well
As once ye did with sword and spear,
With rifled gun and rending eheli
Masters of sea and land, forbear
Tho fierce Invasion of the inviolate air!
With patient daring man hath wrought
A hundred cars for power to fly.
And shall we make his winged thought
A hovering horror in tho sky,
Where flocks of human eagles sail.
Dropping their bolts of death on hill and dale?
Ah. no. the sunset is too pure.
The dawn too fair, the noon too bright!
For wings of terroi to oUicure
Their beauty, and betray the night
That keeps for man, above his wars,
Tho tranquil vision of untroubled stars.
Pass on, pass on, ye lords of fear!
Your footsteps In the sea are red.
And black on earth your path6 appear
With ruined homes and heaps of dead.
Pass on, and end your transient reign,
And leave the blue of heaven without a stain.
The wrong )e wrought will fail to dust,
The right ye shielded will abide.
The world at last will learn to trust
In law to guard, and love to guide.
The peace of God that answers prajer
Will fall like dew from the Inviolate air
-Henry Van Dyke. In the Nw York Independent.
DONE IN PHILADELPHIA
AN INSTITUTION thnt enters upon Its
91st year of activity, It seems to me,
might very well b'o called Venerabl6,
but knowing tho enterprising character of the
Franklin Institute ns I do, tho term voncr
ablo docs not exactly fit. It Implies weakness
nlong with respectability; It scorns to echo
tho past. But, whllo 90 years ngo tho Instl
tuto was the most progressive organization m
Its own field In this country, so It Is tho very
Inst wotd in modernity In sclcnco applied to
mechanics today.
And I write this Just because I had my at
tention called to tho reopening of tho schooli
of tho Institute last week.
I BELIEVE that probably half tho popula
tion of Philadelphia, If nsked, would con
fess to n belief that tho lnstltuto wns founded
by" Benjamin Franklin. I do not know how
this Idea got nbrond, but I find thero Is n
strong Inclination to nttrlbuto to Franklin
even more numerous achievements than ho
claimed for himself. But when it Is realized
thnt the lnstltuto Is only now entering upon
Its PlBt year It will bo needless to nssuro nny
ono that the Immortal Ben had no hand In
Its organization.
How over, I feel suro that It was out of
compliment to tho vnlimhlo contributions to
science mndo by Franklin thnt tho group of
young men who formed tho lnstltuto took
prldo In nssoclntlng his nnmo with their
movement.
IN 1S24, when tho lnstltuto was formed, an
Inspiring movement among young me
chanics spread over tho enstern part of the
country. It led to tho formation if mechanics'
Institutes. I believe thero wero several of
them In this city nt tho time. But It wna
rather exclusive. Becnuso of the stringency In
their qualifications for membership, tho very
names of these organizations nro forgotten,
but tho nnme of tho Frnnklln lnstltuto Is
held In high repute by scientists all over tho
world.
Samuel Vnughan Merrick, nfterwnrd one of
Philadelphia's most noted Ironmasters, found
himself, ns ho once mentioned, tho owner of
a workshop nt 21 years, but without a. mc
chnnlcnl education or with scarcely a me
chanlcnl Iden. He believed ho could lmprovo
himself In order to properly superintend his
foundry If he could become a member of a
mechnnlcs' Institute. Ho nppllcd for ndmls
slon to one of them. But Mr. Merrick wns
promptly blackballed, becnuso ho was not n
mechanic. He was an employer.
HE COULD not say in 1824 what a mnn In
n slmllnr position today could say; ho
could not take his rejection lightly nnd turn
his steps to a technical school. If ho could
not sharo tho Information with theso young
mechanics, he must Bettlo himself to learn
his trade and Its secrets by tho slow process
of observation In his own foundry. Mr.
Merrick did not choose to do that, but deter
mined to Interest others In the establishment
of nn Institute that would bo founded not
only upon more democratic principles, but
nlso would considerably expand the original
Idea of mechanical Institutes.
THERE nre not many young men of 21
with the force of character or the neces
sary Initiative for organizing such nn nsso
clatlon. But young Merrick managed to
interest such men ns Matthias W. Baldwin,
who. It must he remembered, had not yet
built his first locomotive; James Ronaldson,
tho typo founder; Dr. Jnmcs Rush, who
founded tho Rldgway Library; William II.
Kncass nnd Samuel R. Wood, among others,
In his plan.
Consider tho method by which theso
organizers obtained an audience for their
meeting. They held It In what we now nllude
to ns Old Congress Hall, nt Sixth nnd Chest
nut streets. They selected nnd sent Invita
tions to n list of 1500 names taken from tho
directory. Unless you realize that In 1821
thero was no postal service such as wo now
enjoy, you cannot appreciate the magnitude
of this nttempt.
Tho meeting was attended by n large num
ber of young men, and within two weeks
thero wero enrolled between 400 and 500
members.
IN ITS declared object to promote nnd en
courage tho mechanic nrts tho lnstltuto
even in Its Infant days was true. It hold tho
first Industrial exhibitions in this country.
Small ns theso wero nt tho start, thoy grad
ually becamo moro Important, and for many
years wero continued nnnually, attracting
manufacturers and Inventors from all parts
of the United States. Tho exhibition the In
stitute held in 1874 in the old Pennsylvania
Railroad freight depot, on tho site of Wann
maker's. Is remembered with plensure by
many Phlladelphians. Tho Electricnl Exposi
tion which the Institute held at 32d and Mar
ket streets in 1S84 was the first universal
Bhowing of the mysterious now force that
tho world had seen.
THERE aro half n dozen medals and pre
miums at the service of tho Institute to
bestow upon Inventors and discoverers, and I
need not tell you that thoy nre prized fnr
abovo their monetary value by their winners,
who are not always Americans. They aro
not bestowed until a committee thoroughly
examines the claims for tho Invention or dis
covery enterod for the prize, and tho nward
in itself Is proof everywhere of the value of
the idea that Is accepted.
In tho weekly lectures nnd meetings of tho
various sections of the lnstltuto each winter
the visitors will hear the last word on tho
latest contributions to tho mechanic arts.
I know of no Institution that Is so young
nnd modem In spirit nnd feels so little tho
effects of nge when passing its 90th birthday
ns the Franklin Institute.
ORANVILLE.
Ethics and Politics
From the New York Herald.
Statesmen of past generations always sought
to conceal tho hand of the tax gatherer, but
our Washington bolons of today, having cut
down the levy concealed In the tariff schedules,
seem determined to let every citizen know and
feel where tho Federal Govrnment pinches him.
It's good tbics. Uut Is it good politics?
THE IDEALIST
Every display of valor, from football to
warfure, brings out a curious trait in tho
human make-up. Shortly, the feeling, the
discussion, tho enthusiasm incident to tho
present conflict will resolvo themselves Into
a ery definite human desire a desire as
old as tlmo.
The mob wants a hero!
A contest proves listless unless It un
covers an individual star. A battle is only
a free-for-all unless a hero emerges.
Few folks realize the tremendous part this
instinctive mob-craving has played In the
eruptions of history. Tho Individual, calm
and cool, away from the crowd, well knows
that Just so long as the laurel wreath is
placed upon the brow of those that malm
and kill, Just so long will blood be spilled in
war. And he abhors the reflection.
But the mob spirit alters him. Ha be
comes a weakling.
We bje succeeded In educating the Indl-
virtual nf. this hftnrfh nt lilo lmn,A 4. ..
found wisdom of neace. Wo still hnvi'n'i
ui iiiuiviuuuiB, ino moo. - u',
Europo'B delugo of blood nnd pain .
rtnVAlnh nnlff nnn rim h.. it. -.J..1." Will
man who changes It to peace. n
THE IDEALIST.
VIEWS OF READERS
ON TIMELY TOPICS
Contributions That Reflect Public Opin.
ion on Subjects Important to City
State and Nation. y'
To the Editor of the Hventna Ledger:
Sir England did not envy Germany her won
earned commerce, nor was she Jealous of nil'
many's army for defense, nor of Qcrmanv
small but efficient navy. r'
But Germany violated the neutrality of Bet
glum, and England, nil at once, bocamo horr U
fled nt such a breach of International faith
and declared wnr on Germany or rather on
Germany's commerce nnd navy, primarily and
on her nrmy, but with less alacrity about
facing It. Why couldn't France, Russia nn
her (England's) numerous other alllos face ,.
German cannon? She would rather th.
would, for Englishmen would rather n!a
cricket nnd football than faco cannon n i
cause. "'
Docs England forget tho world does not-h.,
own orlmo at Copenhagen, In Napoleon's tlnw
which tho Japanese 'nation used as a precedent
to excuso Its nttack on tho Russian fleet with
out n declaration of wnr or other warlnng?
Has England forgotten, too, her part In th.
Pnoll, tho Cherry Valley nnd tho Wyomlnr
Valley massacres, and In the battle of th
Cowpens, whero no quarter was given th
wounded Americans, still brave, but too weak
to resist their Blaughtor hi cold blood?
And has England fitrthor forgotten her
prison ships In which many bravo Amctlcan
patriots were doomed to starvation and death?
And Is It, ns a memorial to England's own
past good faith with other nations, that the
Hollander, tho Belgian nnd tho Frenchman
hcr nearest neighbors aro nllko always ready
to exclaim, with feeling of contempt, "oil
thou perfidious Albion!"
ii
Philadelphia, Septombcr 21, 10U,
READER.
ENTITLED TO APPROVAL
To the Kdttof o tho Evening- Ledger:
oir ouitu ina html mnuo or your paper 1 B
have taken It each ovcnlng and studied It win, 1
Interest. Tho opposition that Is mado In your
columns to Penrose nnd all that he represents
Is of Itself enough to earn the approval of
overy right-thinking citizen In this bosq-rldden
State. GEORGE Z. ILLINCJTON.
Philadelphia, September 21. 1914.
STATE IS TIRED OF ROSSES
To the Editor of tho Evening Ledger:
Sir In my view tho State of Pennsylvania Ii
tired nf Boles Penrose as Its representative
In tho United States Senate, and moro tired
of n corrupt Stnto Government known oa
"Penroseism." Patriotic citizens want to de
feat both. Tho Evenino Ledger will be
powerful aid In that righteous work.
T. KITTERA VAN DTKE.
Hnrrlsburg, August 31, 1914.
WILL NOT VOTE FOR PENROSE
To the Kditor of the Evening Ledger:
Sir I havo been a lifelong Republican, hut I
won't vote for Penrose! And thero nro a lot of
us who feel tho tamo way. It riles mo when I
get out of the State to hear the choice sluri
that are cast at the quality of Pennsylvania
Republicanism which will nominal o Rolej
Penroso for United States Senator. But I have
to swallow tho pill and reply, "Ho Is not elected
yet." L. C. DENISE.
New Kensington, Pn., September 21, 1DU.
An International Police Force
From the nichmonil Tlmes-Dljimtch.
The war of nations in Durope has revived
tho talk of n combination of tho forces of the
nations to police both land nnd sen, and keep
tho peace among nations Just as our present
pollco forces keep tho peace among Individuals.
Tho Idea Is nn old one, but has never mad
much progress until recently. Now oven f
conservative a writer as Henry Clews accepts
it, saying In his latest report that Its adoption
Is necessary to permanent peace. It Is hardl
to be supposed that so radical a change In cus
toms nnd tho point of vlow will be brought
about soon, If at nil, but It Is certnln that
without practical disarmament there can never
be a permanent peace in Europe. If the war
result In that consummation. It will havo been
worth while. If the Powers that win Insist
upon It ns a precedent necessnry to tho end
of tho wnr, those Powers will havo justified
their entrance Into It. If they do not, they will
havo to fight another war at some future time.
Let the President Alone
From the New Vork World.
Tills war Is not our war. Wo did not make It
and wo cannot end it. If wo mind our own busi
ness, however, we may bo able to (.mooth th
pathway to peace when blood nnd Iron hart
determined tho main issues. If we do not mini
our own business, wo shall bo regarded as
Impertinent meddlers and shall have no influ
ence for good whatever.
Tho President hns been petitioned enough and
nagged enough. Ho knows the situation better
thnn nny of his self-appointed counselors. IIU
motives nre quite as exalted ns those of hit
volunteer advisers. Let him alone.
Looking Toward Peace Sunday
From the New Haven (Conn.) Journal-Courier
Wo may well bo thinking during the coralnj
days how we nre going to mako of "Pence Sun
day" something better than n perfunctory p
formance, something Infinitely liner than rotrs
llp-servico. To add to our supplications for
happier days nn offering for tho relief ol
afflicted nations will put our lcllglon to
practical and blessed use.
Asking Too Much
From the St. I.ouls Post-Dispatch.
Apropos tho Incident of tho steamship Robert
Dollar, it may bo remarked that, with all due
respect nnd regard for England as the land J
Shakespeare, wo really cawn't, you know, oil
chap, udmlt that tho Atlantic Ocean, or MI
other, Is an English lake.
NATIONAL POINT OF VIEW
Sir. Roosevelt Is correct In announcing thil
ho Isn't a candidate. But wait until 1J"
Sprlnglleld Republican.
Tho railroads can hardly be do bad as tbf
have been painted, If Presldont Wilson M
comes one of their advocates. Baltimore Even
ing Sun.
In comparison with the present European
.. , .. II..I v0Tt
war, uaesar, Aiexuncier nnn itninuuai
guilty of nothing more serious than disorder'
uuiiuuui. jvunoas wily oiar,
Tho Government omjht to show Its sppre-
.... . ...i . . . t. ,-i. i, a rinnl
ciauon oi wnai vmoussuaor iiernva ---
i ..-. .., i.. . nrtbtr
ana avail iiseu cu ma capiicux i" , 7 ,
service of the same general kind Charleston,
icna mm v,uumci.
Reports of the first football Injuries, broke
collar bones and tho like, cause tmall thrill
protest this year. Thero aro too many worw
thinss going on behind tho veil of the fcu'
pean censorship. Springfield Republican
One small, Imagined sigh from sweet Cor
delia, one fancied smllo upon the Hr
Imogen, one fleeting dream of Juliet fiom r'
window leaning, brings England closer to i
land of ours, than Kipling. Pinero, Do)1
Bridges and all that list of authors ever ""
Chicago Herald.
The President's remark upon the a""'i
of certain professional Jingoes vho are w
crazy for peace that their program I r
piaotical and sllly"-is mildly true Wn "
might have said If he had been In l";bu
would have been much more to the point--''
York World.
Senator Burton's brilliant struggle lia,.b,
amply repaid, and the admirable ruUs "nl.
Justice to the taxpayers possible hae "
abundantly Justified. New York bun.
1.A ntlal. ........ t.M.. nnn nnthlnr SO 1
Inir ia th Kxnlnlt nf th Herman SUbn1""
One of tho oldest lessons of hwran w. rfi
York, World.
J.SKgBlJl'l. ' ' Hi,iti,dMmmmmll0ima