Polynesian., 1859-08-06
No. ID.

Vi eAternalS, tnere drawn freSn paOuIum.
We are all implicated. We all, whether with
self-apprObation not, give expression to the es-
tablished feeling Even he who disapproyes this
feeling, finds himself unable to treat virtue in
threadbare apparel with a cordiality as great as
that which he would show to the same virtue en-
dowed with prosperity. Scarcely man is to be
found who would not behave with more civility to
knave in broadcloth than to q knave in fustian
Though for the Difference which they have shown
to the vulgar rieh or the dishonesty successful,
men will afterwards compound with their con-
sciences by privately venting their contempt vet
when they again come face to face with these i'm
posing externals covering wOrthessnPss, they do
before. And so long as imposing worthlessness
gets the visible marks of respect while the disre-
spect felt for it is hdden it naturally Hourishes.
Thus, then, is it that men are encouraged tn per-
severe in these evil practices which all condemn;
they can so purchase homage, which, if not gen.
ulne, IS yet, so far as appearances go, as good as
the best. To one whose wealth has been gained
by life of frauds, what matters it that his name
Is IN all circles synonym of rOgueryf Has he not
been eonspicuously honOred by being twice elected
mayor OF his town. 1--WE state fact) and does not
this, joined to the personal Difference shown him,
outweigh IN his estimation, all that is said against
him, OF which he hears scarcely anythingl When,
not many years after the exposure of his nequita-
Bile dealing, trader attains TO the highest civic
distinction which the kingdom has to offer, and
that, loo, through the lnStrumenJaty oil tnOSe VINO
best know his delinquency is not the fact an en-
couragement to him. and TO all others. to sacrifice
rectitude to aggrandizementl If, after listening
to sermon that has by implication denounced the
dshOnesties he has been guilty of the rich illdoer
finds on leaving church that his neighbOrs cap to
him. does not this tacit approval go far to neutral
ize the effect of all he has heard 7 The truth is,
that with the great majority of the visible ex-
preston of social opinion is far the most efficient
OF incentives and restraints. Let any one who
wishes To estimate the strength of this control,
propose to himself to walk through the streets in
the dress of dustman, or carry home leg of NUT
ton from the butchers. Let him feel, as lie pro-
bably will, that he had rather do something NOR
ally wrong than commit such breach of usage,
and suffer the resulting derision and he will then
better estimate how powerful curb To men is the
open dlsapprUval of their fellows; and how, con-
versely, the outward applause of their fellows is
stimulus surprising all others in intensity. Fully
realizing which facts, he will see that the imm
alities of trade are in great part traeeabe to an
immoral public opinion.
Let none infer from what has been said that the
payment OF respect to wealth rightly acquired and
rightly used, is deprecated. On the contrary, we
Contend that in Its original meaning, and in due
degree, the feeling which prompts it is good. Pri-
marly, wealth is the sign of mental power; and
this is always respectable. To have honcstly &C
qured property, implies intelligence, energy, self
is indirectly paid to them by admiring their re-
suits. Further, the good administration and in
crease OF Inherited property also requires its viz
tues: and therefore demands its snare of approha-
ton. Add to which, that not only for their dis
play of faculty men who gain and increase
wealth tn be aPplauded but also public benefac-
tors. For he who, as manufacturer or merchant,
has wihout injustice to others, realized fortune
is thereby proved to have discharged his functions
better than those who have been less successful
By greater skill, better judgment. or econO-
my than his competitors, he has afforded the pub
lie greater advantages His extra profits are but
share of the extra produce obtained by the same
expenditure, the other share going to the consum-
ers. And similarly the landowner, who by Judi
ciOus outlay has increased the yalue-that is the
prlductiveness-Of his estate, has thereby added
to the stock Of national capital. By all means,
then, We say, let the right acquisition and pruper
use of wealth have their due share of admiration.
But that which we Condemn the chief cause
of commercial dishonesty the indiScriminafe ad-
miratiOn of wealth-an admiration that has little
or reference to the character of the possessor.
When, rs very generally happens, the external
signs are reverenced, not only where they signify
internal wOrthiness, but even where they cover
internal unworthiness, then does the feeling be-
cnme vicious. 1t is this idOlatry which wOrships
the symbol apart from the thing symbollzed, that
is the root of all these evils have been expDs-
benelactOrs who have grown rich honestly, they
afford to others wholesome stimulus to go and do
likewise but when they accord share of their
homage to those social malefactOrs who have grown
rich dishonesty, then do they foster corruption by
encouraging others to follow their example-then
do they become indirect aceOmpliees in all these
frauds Of commerce.
As for remedy, it manifestlv follows that there
is none purified public opinion. When that
abhorrenee which society shows to direct theft
is shown TO theft of all degrees of indirectness
then will these mercantile vices disappear. When
not only the trader who adulterates gives short
measure. but also the merchant who overtrades,
the bank-director who countenances an exaggerat-
ed report, and the rriway director who repudiates
his guarantee, come TO be regarded as of the sIme
genus the pickpocket, and are treated with like
disdan then will the morals Of trade become what
they should be.
We have little hope, however, that any such
higher tone Of public opinion will ever be reached.
The present condition of things appears to he, in
great measure, a necessary accompaniment of our
present phase Of progress. Throughout the civil
lied world especially in England, and above all in
America, social activity is almost wholly expended
in material development. To suhjugate Nature,
and bring the powers Of production and distribu-
tion to their highest perEc iel, is the task of our
age, and probably Of many future ages. And as in
times when national defence and conquest were the
chief desderata, military achievement was hnnOred
above all other things; now, when the chief de-
sideratum is industrial growth, honor is most con-
spicuously given to that which generally indicates
tie aiding of industrial growth. The English ma
tiOn at present displays what we may call the COM
mercial diathesis and the undue admiration for
wealth appears to be its necessary accomplishments
IA relation still more conspicuous 10 the worship
of the salmighty dollar" by the Americans. And
while the commercial diathesis. with its accom-
panying standard ofdistinction, continues predomi
nant. we fear the evils We have been delineating
can be but partially cured. It seems hopeless to
expect that the mass of men will distinguish be-
tween that wealth which represents personal supe-
rorty and benefits done to society, from that which
does not. The symbols the externals. have all the
world throngh swayed the great majority. and must