176 
PARK AND CEyAETERY. 
cannot be applied to third instance as plants and lawns are in 
their proper places. There would be hesitation in burninij down 
your neighbor’s house or barn. Why should we in cold blood, 
or thoughtlessly, destroy or damage something equally dear to 
him, and not insurable? How many parents ever inculcate in 
their growing families this form of love to the neighbor, this 
willing respect for his property rights in small as well as in large 
matters? 
If, as I hold, the injury to or destruction of that which our 
neighbor has created for use or pleasure, is very close to those 
grosser forms of dishonesty whose characterization and punish- 
ment are not in doubt, is not anything which will enforce a 
higher standard of action, and anything which will enable us to 
think more clearly and honestly, a factor worth considering as a 
moral and mental power? 
We think very loosely, indeed many of us do not think at 
all, on our duties and our neighbors' rights. It is so much 
easier, so much pleasanter, so infinitely more in keeping with 
tradition and example, to dwell upon our rights and our neigh- 
bors' duties. 
It is difficult to decide whether thoughtless action promotes 
careless, evil thought, or whether it is careless thought which is 
responsible for much evil action. Doubtless both suggestions 
are true; and it behooves us to encourage ourselves and others, 
especially our children, to think naturally and easily in right 
lines, and avoid setting an example in act for thoughtless imi'a- 
lion, in the small things of life, in order that as the larger ques- 
lions have to be met, there will be a strong and safe foundation 
of natural impulse for the right. 
As a public park is the common property of all, each citizen 
having a direct property right in its treasures of flower and 
shrub and tree, it would seem only natural that a stiong public 
s ntiment should successfully protect them from mutilation and 
destruction. This is the result in time; but a serious struggle 
with innate vandalism is the usual early experience in most park 
efforts. This spirit of vandalism, this wanton disregard of the 
rights of the neighbor, which is so difficult to combat when you 
are at the disadvantage of having a personal interest as a victim, 
(an be best met and vanquished, when it is not a question ot 
individual suffering, but when every protest is the voice of the 
many against the few. 
In time a correct moral sentiment is evolved from an era of 
efhcienl police protection. 
When we have acquired a taste for this form of Christianity, 
we shall be able to remove the unsightly, but still necessary, 
park railings from our home grounds, and shall not be compelled 
to resort to special devices to protect the corners of our lawns, 
and our public park expenditures will have been justified. 
Do you say this is trivial — this is wasting time and energy 
upon insignificant details— what has all this to do with city parks 
in general, and the needs and possibilities in Topeka for more 
or better parks? 
I reply the connection is logical and vital. 
It is the little things that make up life — it is the careful 
attention to detail that secures the most harmonious results. 
How often we see the entire effect of a handsome house marred 
by an inharmonious or defective fence or wall, or by grounds, 
the care of which stopped at the side-walk instead of reaching 
out to the street — or by a rough unkempt gutter bounding a well 
kept park lawn. A clean cut edge enhances very materially a 
beautiful grass plat. An ill kept park will bring the house and 
grounds down to its level. While the tail does not generally 
waggle the dog, the narrow rudder does govern the direction of 
the longest steamship, and the untidy feature of a property or a 
landscape will catch and hold the attention to the serious detri- 
ment of the whole. 
Until we instinctively confine ourselves to the regular side- 
walks, cross-walks and streets, we are hardly fit to thoroughly 
enjoy and properly use a beautiful public park. 
Could anything be more delightful than a drive in the fresh 
morning air, or after a hot day’s work, over a good park road by 
the river and under beautiful trees. Would not the cyclists 
rise up as one man (and one woman) and call us blessed. Could 
we do better for our young people or for ourselves, or for future 
generations than to provide for this frequent touch with nature — 
this getting away from the brick and mortar and asphalt of our 
daily lives. 
Do not let us be discouraged by any seeming magnitude or 
hopelessness of the undertaking. Let us set a high ideal, and 
reach it as nearly as possible, in time — perhaps not fully in your 
day or mine. ,We can at least make a good beginning and can 
lift ourselves onto higher levels of life and thought by the effort. 
I shall not attempt to discuss tonight the legal, financial, 
practical details. They will be worked out in due time when a 
public sentiment shall make the demand. 
Much of the labor required will be of the unskilled kind 
and there will be opportunity to relieve the community of the 
care of the unfortunates who are willing and able to work but 
for whom there have been no employers. 
We need as a community, some strong, common incentive, 
something outside of our selfish personal interests, some work in 
which each will feel a powerful individual interest, nut because 
of any selfish gain but because of the good to all. 
Fountain presented to the town of Great Barrington, Mass., 
by Col. William L. Brown of New York. 
