The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1883-03-03

people if youN>-
be the duty of otRerI;et wealth, it will
you. to support
| No doubt one chief reason for
clear and contradictory theories of ca
| relations lies in the fact that our society,
largely controlled in all it's organization
by enc set of doctrines, still contains
survivals of old social theories which are
totally inconsistent with the former. In
the Middle Ages men were united by
custom and prescription into associations,
ranks, guilds, and communities of various
kinds. These ties endured as long as
life lasted. Consequently society was de-
pendent, throughout aid its details, on
status, and the tie or bond was senti-
mental. In our modern state. and in the
United States more than anywhere else,
the social structure is based on contract,
and status is Of the least Importance.
Contract, however, is rational-even
rationalistic.
1t is also realistic, cold, and matter-of.
fact. A contract relation is based on a
sufficient reason, not on custom or pre-
scription. 1t is not permanent. 1t en-
dures only so long as the reason endures.
In state based on contract, sentiment is
out of place in any public or common
affairs. 1t is relegated to the sphere of
private and personal relations, where it
depends not at all on class types, but on
personal acquaintance and personal esti-
mates. Tie sentimentalists amongst us
always seize upon the survvals of the
old order. They want to save them and
restore them. Much of the loose think
ing also which troubles us in our social
discussions arises from the fact that men
do not distinguish the elements of status
and contract which may be found in our
society.
Whether social philosophers think it
desirable or not, it is out of the question
to 60 back to status or to the sentiment
tai relations which once united baron
and retainer, master and servant, teacher
and pupil, cOmrade and comrade That
we have lost some grace and elegance is
undeniable. That life once held more
poetry and romance is true enough But
it seems impossible that any one who has
studied the matter should doubt that we
have gained UNNECESSARILY, and that our
further gains lie in going forward, not
in going backward. The feudal ties can
never be restored If they could be re-
stored, they would bring back personal
caprice, favoritism, sycopharcy, and in
trigue. A society based ON contract is
a society of free and independent men,
who form ties without favor or oblisa-
ton, and cooperate without cringing or
intrigue. A society based on contract.
therefore, gives the utmost room and
CHI ,nce for individual deya,c- mt. and
lor an the ss66iff>reliance and dignity of a
free man.
That society of free men, co operating
under contract, is by far the strongest
society which has ever yet existed, that
no such society has ever yet developed
the full measure Of strength of which it
is capable, and that the only social i'm.
which are now conceivable
lie in the direction of more complete re-
alization of a society of free men united
by contract, are points which can not be |
1t follows, however, that |
one man, in free state, can not claim
help from, and can not be charged to
give help to another. To understand the |
full meaning of this assertion it will be
racy is.