Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-01-30
SOCIETY IN AMERICA.
"A Brief Sermon Watch Can Be Ponder
Over in High Places

"A Brief Sermon Watch Can BE Ponderod
Over in high Places.
When John G. Sake, ia his cne-time
famous satirical poem, s'The Proud Mss
Mcbride" made his deserved reflection on
the youth of American aristocxacy, tho
country was many years younger than It is
at present. Nevertheless, says the Boston
Gazette, his structures are as applicable
now as they were then. Our aristocracy is
still a thing for Laughter, f1eers and
}eers," and it will continue to be so until
those who have wealth and influence, how
ever acquired, learn to regard their
humber neIghbors as beings walking upon
the same planet as themselves and not as
inferior creatures from some other world.
And 1T is to be remembered, Just here, that
people who have suddenly acquired social
position are often more superciiicus in
their bearing 10 persons who have been less
fortunate than are those who can boast as
long descent AS this country can record
So we find folk whose grandnlothers,
perhaps, sold spruce beer in a cellar. or
whose grandfathers dealt out LIQUOR at
three cents glass at some corner grog-
gerry al the North End, assuming arrogant
airs when they happen, to be thrown into
the company of those who are intellectu-
ally and morally their superiors what"
said one Of these UPSTAIRS, "do you speak
to your miikman when you meet him ON
the street, l never notice any of the
dover orders except in the way of bust
ness" The father Of the person she
looked DOWN upon may have been a Gen
eral in the war of the rebellion. and his
grandfather may hare fallen with Warren
at Bunker Hill, but the memory Of the in
solent social mushroom did not go back as
far as that. She could recall with greater
readiness multiplicity of relatives of her
own who came over in the steerage from
Europe, not to be too precise in the desig-
nation of localities across the sea-
We find no fault with those who endeav-
or to better their condition. 1t is the glory
of this country that all may rise to place
and honor, without regard to their antece-
ucnts. what we OBJECT to is the assump-
ton Of superiority by many who have been
brought by the whirligig of time, or, in
other words, good luck, to a position that
they never dreamed of occupying in the
day of small things These should remem-
Der that a decent affability, without pre-
tentlous condescension, is the distinguish
ing mark of all who really adorn rank and
station and that another revolution OF the
wheel OF fortune may bring many again to
the humble places from which their families
started.
One may pour tea at an afternoon recep-
ton In the most exquisite of imported
gowns yetremember that there is some
unassuming sister, perhaps at the South
Enc, who has quite as sensitive feelings as
the elegant society lady, and who may be
herequal in intelligence and education:
because you flourish in worldly affairs,
Don't oe naughty and put on airs,
With insolent pride OF stationI
Don't be proud and turn up your nose
At poorer people in palmer clo'es,
But learn for the sake of your souls repose
That wealth is bubble that comes-ard goes
And that all proud flesh, wherever it grows.
Is subject 70 irritation"