The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1872-06-02
Worth, Not Mrth-Merit, Not Money, Makes tho
Nan.

AS intelligence advances and the views
OF men are expanded; as the prescriptive
and proscriptive prejudices of the past are
swept away by the practical common sense
OF generations rising higher and higher in
libeEality of opinion, the barbarian notion
mans social status ia becoming less and
less regarded throughout the civilised
world. In the old countries, and under
the old systems Of government and society,
going on now as they were when they were
originated away back in antiquity, it is not
to be expected that distinctions among men
will be determined and defined by the great
moral laws of nature rather than the nom
senslcal edicts of form. fashion and aristo-
cratic arrogance. 1t is not to be expected,
because the men in power are sustained and
upheld by social sy stem that subor6finates
! the poor to the rich, the "cOmmonn people
to the nobility, because the governments
supporting them, and which they support,
are dependant upon such gradations and
degradations, because it is to their interest
that the right of might shall keep down
the might of right: The time is coming,
however, when this false state of society
Will not be known in any enlightened coun-
try of the globe. In America, it is true,
we have no patents of nobility, no lords
and dukes, no birthrghts of place, privi-
lege or power 1t is true we all profess in
the great republic to be practically as we'll
In Europe, there are social lines drawn
more with reference to what men own than
what they are themselves. There are false
and foolish notions, too, attaching to diff
ferent callings by which men make their
living. All this is simply absurd. 1t is in
conflict with the great moral truths of ma
ture. 1t Is in conflict with right and rea-
son. 1t is conflict with the teachings of
Christianity and civilization, and with the ,
interests of the country. 1t is very COM
Portable, no doubt, to have an abundance
OF worldly goods, and every citizen in
every community should be ambitious of
means. But the wealthy
man is no more entitled to respect than the
poor man. Professional men should COM
mand no moro consideration in society
than mechanics. Differences in education
OF course make differences in association;
put because man processes profession
he IS not necessarily intelligent, and be-
cause another man works with his hands
more than his lead he is not necessarily
gnorant. The day is not distant, we trust,
when ambition to excel in the mechanical
lrts will be considered as laudable as the
iesire to achieve eminence at the bar or 10
ne nails OF legislation. Virginia is about
% establish college to be devoted ex-
:luslvely to the education of young men
or farmers and mechanics. And not many
ears hence the practical men who come
rom there will be found rivaling the gra-
Iuates of other colleges in honors, in use
ulness to the State. Virginia is shaking
tt her old prejudices. The nonsense about
first families and ' distinguished ances-
ors" and all that sort of ridiculous talk is
ow left to the old ladies W no represent the
mes that have gOpe. Our young men are
ot"green" enough now to be making them
elves ludicrous by such folly. The day
as come when worth, not birth, merit, not
l0ney, makes the man. NoyJolE Journal