Ethical Addresses -- Sixth Series Continued

 

Enid Stacy (Widdrington)

The non-Adler articles included in the Sixth Series of Ethical Addresses (1900) were written by Leaders of the Western Societies in Chicago and St. Louis, with the exception of a new voice from England:  Enid Stacy Widdrington.

William M. Salter, founder of the Chicago Society,  provides a platform delivered to multiple Societies in existence at that time (St. Louis, Chicago, and Philadelphia):  "The First Thing in Life," pp. 1-16.  He also provided a set on two "opposing" analyses of Walt Whitman:  "The Great Side of Walt Whitman" (pp. 121-144) and "The Questionable Side of Walt Whitman" (pp. 145-166) as well as lecture on "The New Militarism" (pp. 85-104).  The latter lamented the rising pressure from religious and economic leaders to the arm the US in anticipation of greater involvement in expansionist actions.

Walter L. Sheldon, founder of the St Louis Society, contributed a two-part summary of a series of eight lectures originally titled "The Bible from the Standpoint of the Higher Criticism" as well as a single platform--"Why Prosperity Does Not Always Bring Happiness" (pp. 167-186).  NB:  As gloomy as the latter may sound, Sheldon's recommendation is to be more temperate in one's expectations.  "Money can buy a certain degree of happiness," Sheldon says, "But money cannot guarantee happiness."

The new voice that Enid Stacy (Widdrington) provides for Ethical Addresses is the experienced voice of a British activist and lecturer.  She provides an interesting history of the issues arising from the strategic importance of the southern tip of Africa to colonial commercial and military ventures.  Widdrington's clear and detailed recital of the history of settlement and government in southern Africa point, at the time of a rebellious war in that area, to the role of the British government in making peace impossible.  Her lecture on "The Moral Issues of the Transvaal Question" leads ultimately to an expression of hope for a British victory, but one which is worthy of the higher values of her countrymen:  

The only kind of British supremacy I care for is that my country may lead the world, not in territorial expansion, military strength or commercial greatness, but in the purity and honor of its government, the happiness of its citizens, the high character and ennobling influence of its civilization. If with these qualities, and by means of them, comes imperial expansion, well and good. It will mean that countries are attracted to our flag by respect for our laws and desire for our protection. If we degrade the higher and nobler elements in our civilization by love of power, greed for gold and the desire to outstrip trade rivals, such supremacy is not worth fighting for.

The lecture was given on November 12, 1899, at the Philadelphia Society, two months into the Second Boer War, which did not end until May 31, 1902.