Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1875-07-01

world so willingly aceoruS 10 the wealthy,
her position was truly enviable. But she
shocked her fashionable acquaintance by
| regarding people from her own stand
point, utterly ignoring the fact that society
had already settled such matters for her.
She remembered the trials OF her early
DAYS, and never did she see young and
sensitive girl, struggling for livelihood
among selfish and unfeeling people with
out bestowing upon them words of SYM
patty and encouragement, and endeavor-
ing to cultivate in them spirit of self
respect; and when she knew that
they were worthy, she often invited
them into her own society, some
time calling for them to accompany her
in her walks and rides, and they never
failed to return refreshed in mind and
body, benefited and made better by the
society of good, pure, true and noble
woman. This course was truly alarming
to some of the fashionable ladies whose
only standard of worth was measured by
dollars and cents; for if their circle was
to be invaded by milliners and dressmak-
ers and school teachers how were they TO
maintain the strict exclusiveness of the
upper ten? If labsring people were not
compelled to occupy a position beneath
them how should they be able to stand
above? These questions sorely perplexed
several of fashions fayorites, but they
feared her influence and stood so much in
awe of her wealth and position that they
dared'not openly denounce her. and they
also feared that such course pursued by
such woman might become fashiona
BILE, and then, having no real merits of
their own to rely upon, how should they
maintain a supremacy?
"What would you and Mrs. Delaney
have me do?n asked Mrs. Harwood, look
ing at her visitor with an amused express
sion.
Why, be more exclusive in your asso-
Citations. Society makes distinctions to
which you pay no regard whatever; but |
suppose it is on account of your Western
education, and when you are better ac-
quainted with the usages of Eastern So
ciety feel confident that you will gladly
conform to its rules. When you are in
Rome you must do as Rome does, you
know"
Il shall be glad to initiate Rome in
every good and worthy example she sets
before me-
Il knew you would; and now shall |
proceed to point out TO you a few instances
where your Western customs seriously
conflict with the usages of fashionable So
ciety?"
u shall listen to you willingly, and,
whenever YOU convince me that evil re-
suits will follow any of my practices, |
assure you that | will gladly abandon
them"
II am really happy to see that you are
going TO take my remarks in the spirit IN
which they are offered, and now let me
ask if YOU remember that, when we at
tended the State fair you disengag your
self from our party, the elite of this fash
ionable and wealthy city, and wandered
off among the farmers wives and daugh-
tiers, as though you really enjoyed their
society? Now please tell me why you did
So"
:" 1t was because | really enjoyed the
conversation of good, honest and useful
women. ] regard such people as the real
essential element of society. The world
could exist without the fashionable lady,
but how should we dispense with the use
full people?"
II admit that there is place for every
one, but the trouble is, that we must make
these people know their places"
"Have you any more right to decide
where another's place is than they have
to assign you to any particular position
not in accordance with your will and quail
ifcations?''
"Oh, society has settled all these mat
tiers; all that is necessary for us 10 do is
to conform to its requirements.
"Have you any standard by which TO
Judge people except the measure OF dol
lars and cents?"
Certainly; | do not claim that wealth
is everything"
What, then, are the other necessary
qualifications"
"A lady should be. educated, accom-
plished and refincd.h
Surprising she is coarse, ignorant and
narrow minded, but wealthy, will society
close its doors against herr"
II must admit that wealth covers
multitude of sins"
Suppose that another possesses all the
other qualifications, will she be admitted
as an equal of the first if she earns her
own living, and thus makes herself useful
TO the community in which she residesy"
" Fashionable ladies would not recog-
nize her.
Personal merit, then, is entitled to no
consideration unless backed by the more
powerful influence of wealth.
ave cannot expect to obtain perfection
in these matters"
II have observed as much, and when
see that which ] regard as an unjust dis
elimination | do not feel that | am under
any obligation TO endure il. Ifreal merit,
intelligence and morality were made the
standard, Mrs. Delaney would rank far
below the people whom she affects to de-
spise. You know as well as | that she
was one of the working girls in large
manufacturing establishment before she
eloped with and married the youthful son
Of her employer; and now if she was en-.
gagged in trying to better the condition OF
the poor girls from whose lot she has es-
capped, in spite of her ignorance and vanity,
/ could look upon her with feelings OF re-
spect; but this disposition to crush down
and trample upon our fellow-beings
ennobles no one. In my opinion,
true philanthropy consists in trying
to elevate and to benefit the hui
man race, to inspire higher aspira-
tons, nobler impulses and purer natures
not in assigning to them positions be-
meath us and then trying to compel them
to remain there, as though we feared their
superior talents might eclipse our own If
there were no social barrier TO prevent.
And If you confine yourself to the narrow
hounds If your own social circle how are