The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1878-02-21
On Dignity.

The people who live on their dignity
are seldom to be found absent from theil
domain-never to be caught wandering
into the regions of common-sense and
simplicity, of good-naturcd allowance q
small neglects, and the broad belief thai
it was not meant, with that still broader
if it were it did not signify, and as we all
have to put up with our little affronts, why
not as we'll as another? To be on dir
nifty is to be always on gaurd, armed cap
a-Die, and the arrow neatly fitted into the
string-always in a state of suspicion
that lions are roaming in the way special
ly consecrated to the task of affrontine
that sacred dignity when they come on
the track.
This standing on ones dignity runs
through the whole of a mans life, and
never for one moment let's him forget
what he possesses, or the respect due to
his merits. The humility which takes
the lower place is virtue highly COM
mendable IN other people, but the self
respect which takes that to which he has
right is the quality which those of ms
who stand on our dignity prefer FOR our
own parts, and we are sure to believe that
We have the right to the best of every
thing. If by chance any obtrusive third
comes in and acts out his own self-re-
spect in our line, then the war that en-
sues is sight for men to laugh at. if
perhaps the angels might be sorrowful.as
we are told they are when they witness
human folly. 8
Dignity is always raising up difficult
ties where none would exist and as often
making other people uncomfortable, or,
at least, giving them unnecessary disap-
pointments. Are you a singer, oh, my
dignitied friend with voice that the
world at large would love to hear, or per-
haps already Lowest and you find yourself
one among many who have gathered to-
gether to spend pleasant. informal, peace
iul little evening, where tinery is not and
ISL You are all in the garden
TN ler the vine trellised arbor, where the
voice would be heard to perfection, aud
where the soft warm air precludes all idea
of cold or discomfort; but if you have too
much dignity to sing simple air for the
enjoyment Of few kindly natured folk
who want to be amused, and are not crit
ical as to methods.
You must have your piano aud your
own accompanist, your stage lights and
your studied attitudes; you cannot sit
then in your chair and "turn a tune as
the humblest creature in the world, who
has voice of three notes, good temper
and no dignity, is able to do. But you
like the position of being begged and
prayed and made much of, with the con-
sciousuess that it gives you of being
somebody of consequence-some5o on
whom all eyes are fixed, and who stops
the whole social wheel for the moment.
You like to he entreated and to refuse.
as Dives might refuse Laz-
arus; and you air your dignity in the
process, and get by it what you mainly
desire--the sense of Importance for your
self, and the disappointment of the rest
rs the tribute paid to it,
Do you rejoice in fine execution. and q
touch the brilliancy of which has earned
you local reputation as if you were
another Rchumana or Berliozl You will
not lower your accomplishment that leval.
you say with pride, when asked to play.
in private with less than perfection in the
instrument and science in the audience.
The piano IS q tin kettle, and the people
are too stupid to know good music from
bad; an Italiad organgrinder from the
streets would please them Just as much,
and you have Scripturai warranty for it
that throwing pearls before swine Is
work neither profit nor pleasure.
Dignity seldom goes out tor a holiday,
and never goes off guard. It is alwav 10
re found at its post, watchful, vigilant.
prepared to take the offensive as we'll as
to defend itself should the smallest occa.
sion arise. 1t cannot believe in the inno-
cent intentions Of Its friends, but use its
brains g we'll - its time in suspicious
which discover nothing but the assersion
Of Its own importance. Aword, . look,
csrelessiy given, thoughtlessly spoken,
wounds it to the quick; and what Others
would paas by = not wurth . secoad
Ehoeeht this irritable and irratiual dig
nify maintains to BE the cause sui6cie1t