The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1871-06-17
A Moneyed ArIstocracy.

Ma. EDIroR-There is nothing so absurd, unsta,
BILE and yet at the same time hurtful to any nation
as an aristocracy founded upon wealth alone an ar
istocracy which, in its fastidious exclusiveness
acknowledges no equality with true worth and genu-
inc merit, unless accompanied with the almighty
dollar. A society where money is made the gauge o.
superiority, can last only for a time it must inevita-
bly, become disintegrated and destroyed, from its OWE
inherent weakness.
1t is apparent to the most casual observer thai
there has been a great social revolution in the United
States within the last few years. That there has
been a total change in conventional customs, is evil.
dent not only from daily experience but through the
tone of the public writings and speeches, and in the
prevailing national extravaganza. The alteration
has been effected partly by legislation but principally
by the opportunities afforded during the late Anne
rican war, for the immediate accumulation of i'm
mense fortunes by single individuals.
Persons of weak minds and limited understandings,
who perhaps have been reared in poverty. are gener-
ally guilty of excuses, when suddenly elevated to
unaccustomed opulence. They are naturally DESTROYS
of establishing invidious distinctions between them
selves and the masses of the people, and having
nothing but their money to back up their assump-
tons they seek to abolish family and education, as
standards of superiority, and to make money the only
passport into society.
How often do we hear animadversions on the
accursed doctrine of CASTE and yet the very people
who exclaim so loudly against g caste > are insidu-
.ously laboaing to force a social principal upon US,
infinitely worse in its effects. than any theroy of su-
premacy founded upon lineage, ever was, or will be.
L shall mention only a few of the evils incident to a
moneyed aristocracy, because there are too many for
detailed notice.
Wealth can make itself appreciated, it would seem,
only by ostentatious display, and so investments
are made with an open eye to fashy ornameatation
as well as use. That might do for those who could
afford it, but the poorer imitators of that pretensious
afiuence, are often betrayed into a TOO profuse ex-
penditure of their limited incomes. in order, as they
express it, " to keep up appearances, " and finally
perhaps, are plunged into an abyss of ruin. 1t must
be a happy reflection to the modern social parasite or
even to the man of vast possessions, that with the
possible loss of their means of keeping up appear
ances - they must forfeit and perhaps engage the
contempt of those who are now regarded as friends.
1t is this thought that breeds a settled determine
ton to sacrifice anything to maintain ones position,
and is the great fundamental cause of the selfshness
so prevalent at the present time it brushes sympa-
thy, and even attacks and destroys natural affection.
Again, there is the Development of that sycophantic,
cringing spirit, displayed towards wealth, which
justly excites the disgust of every high minded man
and on the other hand there is the arrogant, super
cilious sentiments, cultivated and exercised by the
capitalist, equally disgusting to intelligence and re-
inement.
But chiefest among the miseries inflicted upon the
people, is the selection of pecuniary worth in prefer
ence to ability, as a standard whereby to regulate the
election of members of national administration. In
this practice We lose the benefit of our best talent in
officers both at home and abroad. H.. ATS
Every one, Well venture to say, detects the hurt
tul tendency of the spirit of the age. and indirectly
it. Brains must not be ignored. in ..these
of purse proud assumption and ignorant pre-
tension. We heartily wish the whole community
would unite to have men estimated, more by their
intrinsic merits, than they are at present, and to do
away with the present heartless, unsympathetic rules
of society. .iss-
Honolulu, May 23d, 1871.
while giving space for the above, we confess that
we do not perceive its application here, althoupb the
.entiments expressed are worthy the attention of
hose in authority, and the consideration of :. leaders
IN society."-ED. p. C. All