The Arrogance Of Wealth

The vassalage of fashion, which is a pnrt of ank, prevenís continually the free expansión )f men's pwers. Let us have the greatest liversity of occupations. But this (loep not mply that there is a need of splitüng social ?oeiety into costes or ranks, or thal a certain number should arrógate superiority, and stand fipart from the rest of men as a separate race. Men may work in different departinents of life, and vet recognize their brotherly relation, and honor one another. Undoubtedly men will prefer as friends, their common associates - those with whom they sympathize most. - But this is not to form a rank or caste. For example, the intellectual seek out the intelligent; the pions those who reverence God. - But suppose the intellectual and the" religious to cut themselvets off by some broad, visible distincfion, from the rest of society, to form a clan of their own, to refuse ndmission to their houses people of inferior knowledge and virtue, and to dimin:sh as faras possiblc the occasions of intercourse with them; would not society risc tip, as one man, against this arrogant exclusiveness? And if intelligence and piety may not be the foundation of a caste, on what ground shall they, who have no distinction bilt wealth, superior costumes, rich equipages, finer house?, draw lines around tliemselves, and constitute a highrr class? That some should be richer than others is natural, and is necessary, and could not be prevented but by gross violation of right. Leave men to the free use of their powers, fosóme will accumulate more than their neig hbors. But to be prosperous is not to be superior- nnd ehould form no harrier between men. Wealth ought not to secure the prosperous the FÜghtest cor.sideration. The only diítinctions which should be recognized, are those of the soul, of strong principies, of incorruptible integrity, of usefulness, of cultivated intellect, of fidelity, of seeking for truth. A man in proportion as he has these claims, shouid be honored and welcomed every where. I see not why such a man, however coarsely, ifneatly dress-ed, should not be a respected guest in the most splendid mansion, and at the most brilliant meetings. A man is worth infinilely more than saloons, and costumes and t he shows of the universe. He was made to ttead all these beneath his feet. What an insult to humanity is the present defcrence to dress and upholstery, as if silk worms and loonis, scissors and needles, could produce something nobler than a man! Every good man should protest against a caste founded on ontward prosperity, becnuse it exalts ihe outward nbove the inward, the material above the spiritual; becauso it springs from and cherishes a contemptible pride in superficial and transitory distinctions; because it alienates man from his brother, breaks the tie of common hnmanity, and breeds jeaiousy, scorn and mutual ill will.