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 their
domain-never to be caught wandering
into the regions of common-sense and
simplicity, of good-naturcd allowance OF
small neglects, and the broad belief that
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 atfronts, why
not as we'll as another! To be on dig
nifty is to be always on gaurd, armed cap
a-Die, and the arrow neatly fitted into the
string-always in state of suspicion
that lions are roaming in the way special
lv consecrated to the task Of affronting
that sacred dignity when they come on
| the track.
This standing on ones dignity runs
through the whole Of mans life, and
never for one moment lets him forget
what he possesses, or the respect due to
his merits. The humility which takes
the lower place is a virtue highly com
mendable IN other people, but the self
respect which takes that to which he has
a right is the quality which those of MS
who stand on our dignity prefer Tor 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. il
perhaps the angels might be sorrowful.a s
we are told they are when they witness
human folly.
Dignity is always raising UP Difficult
ties where none would exist, and as often
making other people uncomfortable. OF
At least. giving them unnecessary dlsap-
pointments. Are you singer, oh, my
/ digntied friend with a voice that the
world at large would love to hear, or per
haps already loves, and you find yourself
one among many who have gathered to
getner to spend pleasant. informal, peace
tut little evening, where finery IS not ane
simplicity isi You are all In the garden
I'm Ter the vine trellised arbor, where th'
voice would be heard TO perfection, ant
where the soft warm air preciudes all idei
of cold or discomfort; but If YOU have To-
much dignity to sing a simple air for TIL
enjoyment Of a few kindly natured foil
who want To be amused, and are not crit
lcag rs TO methods.
You must have your piano and YOU
own accompanist. your stage lights AM
YOUR studied attitudes you cannot -
then in your chair and turn d tune 3
tle humbest creature in the world. VIII
has voice OF three notes, good tempe
and no dignity, Is able to do. Bot yo'
like the position of being begged an
prayed and made much OF, with the cor
sciousuess that it gives you OF beln
somebody Of consequence-somesody o
whom all eyes are fixed, md who stop
the whole social wheel for tine momen
You like to he entreated and 10 retus'
I a. Dives might refuse La
! arus: and you air your dignity in til
2 process, and get 10y il what you mainl
T desire-the sense OF importance for you
: self and the disappointment of the re
+ Is the tribute paid to it.
Do sou rejoice IN fine execution. and
e touch the brllIiancy of which has earne
! you local reputation IS if you wei
l another Rehuman2 or Beriioz. You WI
7 not lower your accomplishment that leva
i you sas with pride, when asked to pla
: in private with less than perfection in Il
c instrument ami science IN the aud;euc
! The piano Is 3 tin kettle. and the poop
II are too stupid TO know good music fro
G bad: an 1taliaa organCrinder from Il
: streets would please them Just as muc
: and you have Scriptural warranty for
that throwing pearls before swine Is
l. work neither profit nor pleasure.
o Dignity seldom goes out Tor holida
d AMI never goes of guard. 1t is AWAY
{ se found At its post. watchful. vigilar
l. prepared TO take the offensive rs we'll
/. 10 defend itself should the smallest occ
sion arise 1t cannot believe in the inn
4 cent intentions Of its friends. but use
e brains AS well as its time in suspicio
it which discover nothing but the assersi,
: of its own importance. Aword, loo
" carelessly given, thoughtlessly spoke
e wounds it to the quick; and what othe
l. would pass by as not worth q seco1
thought, this irritable and irrational di
e nifty maintains to be the cause suflicie