The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1861-12-26

CHARACTER MORE VALUABLE THAN WEALTH-Amid
the intense competition of active life, of the most
important lessons to be impressed upon all, sober
estimate Of the value Of character above wealth 1t
Is natural to create artificial distinctions in
society. In every form of political society, except
the republican, such distinctions exist by birth or in
permanent civil and ecclesiastical orders Pride is
nurtured and vanity gratifed by blood, family,
title, or inherited rank. But such distinctions are
prevented in q republic, by its very constitution.
Hence there remains but one basis Of social disnc-
tion namely wealth. In limited circles indeed there
may be aristocracy Of talent, of education and
refinement. of literature science, but in society at
large gradations of social position measured by
stock certificates, rent rolls and bank accounts In
the old world patent of nobility holds good, though
there is income adequate to sustain it, and PEN
niless Count stands higher in the social scale than
the untitled millionaire. Here the passport from
circle to circle is the appearance of wealth Office is
uncertain ard does not always dignity the holder 1t
be retained for lfe much less transmitted TO
descendants. Hence wealth has gained an import
far beyond that which belongs to it, where 1t Is
used only TO keep up estate, to display rank, to
enjoy life, to procure the advantages OF education
and Of travel Here it creates rank; gives social
position, without antecedent, respecability or
education; and hence pride and vanity, that
in other countries have many and various outlets,
here vi into this channel and either h 1t to
its utmost level, agitate it with eddies and conten
tious waves Among people the feeling is univer
sal, that to be anybody do anything, one must
have wealth. With wealth in vew-as the one great
object of life, upon which everything else depends it
10 not strange Hany 1T PiI-e "itho1t
any scruple 10 the In the upper circles OF
fashionable hfe questions are asked how one came
by his money. if he only shows that he has money,
or appears have it II he lives in fine house,
keeps a good carriage, gives splendid parties, no
questions asked whether all this Is honestly
paid for. With such standard before them, II Is
not surprising that aspiring who fee themselves
the equals, IL the superors OF their We hy neigh
bors, should find some short road to wealth. The
passion for riches the idea that in life depends
mainly upon wealth. is fruitful in temptations to dis
honor. This is the maestrom OF character in our
city. hen will lie rich, must be richi they put
forth the OF speculation, they reach after every
floating straw Of prosperity they give themselves to
the gddy passion Of money getting, and are uhirled
every way by its power. Smoothly they ride at hrst
on the giddy outskirts Of dishonesty, till infatuated
with the pursuit. they dive deeper and deeper. and
are sucked into the mighty vortex, wreck Of char
acter fortune, hope and life The only safeguard is
hug the shore of honesty, and to make character
supreme. The wealth of character should be esteerl
ed above all other wealth, and he who possesses such
is clothed with panOpiy, than which nothing can be
stronger and conscious Of this he rise above the
imputed disgrace Of poverty and in his honest en-
deavors 70 accumulate the wealth which confers so
much rover, be will have to reflect that
character has been SACRIFICED TO the infatuaton for
mou-y getting, which Is 80 strong among men,