The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1881-01-05

upon Tie dGllOu Vi o. CClt ~ CASLAShe -
population relative to q sentiment OF bitter
social %antagonism whichit had displayed to-
wards another, and which reached such q
point on the occasion of the Masonic Ball
that we would have been recreant IN our
duty to the public had we longer failed to
rebuke it.
We have nc desire, to find fault with any
who may wish to isolate themselves from as
sociation with Others, who from lack Of edu-
cation, or from inability to conform with
social requirements, are distasteful. Much
less do we advocate a promiscuous assocla-
ton with those who are .recreant to a high
standard of responsibility or decency in
their private life. Neither can we criticlse
that feeling o. superiority which is the growth
Of several generations of wealth, mental cul-
ture, and special training, for it is q natural
growth, and one which really does confer .
certain portion Of superiority over other eie-
ments less specially fitted.
But the sentiment which we satirized last
week is the result of none of these conditions.
On the contrary it is the sil!iest of all the
silly progeny Of this century Of shams. The
town and country is in an almost helpless in
fancy, and those who have builded it thus far
are fully as much Of the class adventurer as
those who are lately come, or who may in
the near future come into it. Only the ener-
getic persevering poor, who are dissatisfied
- ~ zo.:4:,, - ,,hdoor;tv -hioh would
be theirs certainly in an over crowded and
stratifed society will brave the dangers Or
submit to the isolation and exposure incident
to a frontier life. And all praise is due those
who have placed themselves by their energy
and perseverance above the condition in
which they begun.
acter to assume an attitude of superiority
over an entire community which is not pos
sessed in any degree whatever. Take the
case of the Masonic party above referred to.
For some reason this element was not salts
fed with a position Of Indifference it could
not even quietly remain away from those
with whom it did not wish to associate but
must maintain a policy Of obstruction, and
exhibit a desire to render ridiculous that
which it could not manipulate, in q way
which is the very antithesis of good breeding
or a true aristocratic instinct.
Not even satisfied with obstructing the
Masonic party, this element concluded 1t
would show how a thing should properly be
done by giving one within its own exclusive
set, and in its very best style, and it par
AIDED its intention with such a brazen-faced
and contemplate manner, that it was evident
that only insult, not sociability, was the prin-
cipal motive, and this display of poor breed
ing and conceited Indifference to the feelings
of others had the effect to arouse considerable
hostility towards it. We do not mean to as
sert that all those who attended this later ef-
fort were actuated with the sentiment we
have deprecated, or ever that all Of those who
were connected in its management were dis
posed in a hostile way towards others of the
community, but believe it to be confined to a
clique of less than half a dozen, who have
seen fit to allow their personal jealousies and
pique influence their actions.
This petty spirit in this isolated Western
town, entertained by one set Of adventures
for another, is not only silly and ridiculous,
but is positively injurious to the towns best
interests and development. We were weak
enough if all were united, and helpless if we
are to be divided, and we believed it neces-
sary to expose the ~shallowness, the hollow
ness, and the Stiffness which are its animal.
ing causes, and in the only way in which j
could be done, by holding it up to ridicule
and contempt, and we will do our utmost t
destroy it. if ridicule and contempt will &C
complish that end.
But contrary 30 the belief Of some parties
we have not a particle Of feeling against in
diyiduals. 1t is the existence, the spirit OF
the thing which we oppose, and which W.
shall oppose, untiliti is shamed into %nonentity
AndWhileWe cannot hope to altogether avolt
feeling being directed against as personally
we shall content ourselves with the reflection
that only those will so take it that find it III
ting IN their own case, and we will brace ou1
selves up to meet their i'll will in WhateVe
shape it may be presented. But we believ
that what we said last week, although it ma
cause heart burnings which none will regrt
SO much as ourselves, and create an impre'
sion of hostility to individuals where non
was intended, has had the effect we desired
Of showing how very ridiculous and useles
its existence is-and if we have succeeded
' in part, w will cot regret our action j
the matter, nor the effect of momentary pa
sion which might naturally result from
which we could not Withhold Witho,