Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1861-06-12
FOR THE SPIRIT OF THE AGE.

FoR THE SPIRIT OF THE AGE.
For time at last sets all things even.-BYRoN.
Under existing circumstances it is quite
proper that lines of distinction, and marked
ones too, should be drawn between the diff
ferent grades of society which seem so essen.
tial to the composition of our world, but
whether those now existing are the proper
ones or not, is quite another question. We
believe that the laws of both God and man
sanction marked distinctions between virtue
and vice. Weare commanded to withdraw our
selves from the company of the wicked, and to
choose none of their ways, and if they entice
US, by no means to consent. But we also find
distinctions existing between knowledge and
ignorance, poverty and wealth, fame and OBJ
security, and various other extremes, all of
which to a certain extent may bye right and
proper. 1t is not our purpose to moralize
awhile upon these distinctions, and conclude
by admonishing people everywhere to aban-
don them, and adopt the Utopian idea of
mingling together in one promiscuons mass.
We ssIew observations on those things which
we think should furnish a foundation for
them.
1t matters not but very little bow many
lines of distinction men in their wisdom NAV
draw between themselves and their fellow
men, or on how many grounds one may as
sumo superiority over another there is in
reality but one true and substantial kind of
superiority, and this is conferred by moral
and intellectual worth only. When one is
superior to others in these respects, he is
truly their superior. Perhaps between no
two extremes is there existing a clearer and
more distinct line than those of poverty and
wealth. In many places and in the eyes oil
many people, wealth is responsibility and
poverty is disgrace. Let vice be clothed in
broadcloth and decked with gold, and it will
pass current but let merit be clothed in rags
and it will pass unnoticed. Money is fire.
quently the only standard by which many
judge of superiority, and those judging b,
such a standard think themselves superior t
others by as much as their wealth exceed
[ that of others. To be poor is oftentimes t.
be insulted by those who can claim superi
ority over you in no respect but one. 1t i
true that some poor people imagine them
selves to be objects of hostility eyerywher
and TO everybody better off than themselves
but the negligence manifested towards then
!, by their more fortunate brethren is more FIRE
! quently a reality than otherwise. Riches O
: ten act as a splendid, gaudy robe, which cor
ceals all b~lemishes; take it away, and probabl
toe poor stripped wretch whom it sheltere
|, and protected would be treated even wors
I, than his crimes deserve. But time, says th
|. poet, will at last set all things even. Th
/; thoughtoften consoles those who feel that the
are neglected and looked down on by othe,
8 claiming superiority over them. Time is ii
!, deed a mighty arbiter. He is a judge, befol
It whose tribunal must be settled the affair
a. both of the rich and the poor, the learn,
d and unlearned, the ~virtuous and vicious.
ID was not long after Lazarus lay at the ri,
10 mans gate, and begged for the crumbs tn
Sc fell from his table, before time made "a VOL
- NA"h6Oi III IuVIL circumstances. hOO
IS OF purple and fine linen and sumptuous Ii
ing could not ward off from the rich mar
al door the leveling hand of Death. Time +
4 only set the poor beggar and rich man ey
he by c~onsigning their bodies to the mansio
In Of rest to mingle with their mlother du
fnl but wrought an entire change in the con
TAI ton Of each one. While the sGuallid beg,
ere was reposing on Abraham's bosom in
Of realms of eternal peace, the rich man. "
nd had all that heart could desire on earth. lif
~, na upihis eyes in the lowest depths of woe, 8
re. called to him to come and cool his parcI
- tongue with only the tip of his finger d
asst ped jim water. Alas what a sad reverse
%fortunel Did the remotest idea of sue
change ever enter the rich mans mind ?
zap. how soon it camei Time always |
q Of and as long as it will last, will continu,
s work such sad changes in the fortunes
est. men. Perhaps it will not be long ere
we'd eyes of many who pow move like prir
cup among their fellows, win be gazing on