Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1890-06-06
Bellamy's Millennium.
From The Wacerly Progress, by J. l..
LODGE, d. D., Editor.

At the suggestion of friend the editol
ran rapidly over the pages OF borrowed
copy Of Looking Backward" and finished
1t with mingled feelings of disgust and in
dignation joined with something of an
accusatory conscience for having wasted
twelve hours of precious time. The book
is too silly for amusement; and positively
dangerous il its theories-rather, its vaga-
ries-be accepted and acted upon in earnest.
The statement that "interest on investments
was q species Of tax in perpetulty upon the
product of those engaged in industry which
a person possessing or inheriting money
was able to levy" is a palpable and mon
strous falsehood. The engagement to pay
interest is of the borrowers seeking, in no
sense "levy" by the lender, but always
directly advantaging the user. Nine tenths
of all the homes in this land have been Sc
cured by judicious, provident use of funds
in some sense borrowed, which gave oppor-
tunity to render industry and economy eff.
fectual. The slow and laborous process Of
securing start by means of small savings
has been substituted by enlarged operations
with correspondent accommodating facilities
for conQuering independence. IL the Agra
rian idea, which runs through this book,
should prevail, there would, Indeed, be no
means OF borrowing, but the entire popula-
ton would then have forced upon it the
pauperism and attendant horrors which the
lazy, the thriftless, and the Indifferent find
congenial. Banks, building associations,
and individual lenders have been and will
continue to be the benefactors of poor, but
worthy men. Money is a commodity, like
corn, wheat, or land. 1t is worth, in bus
mess sense, what it will bring. Value re-
ceived is the condition of every bond. NO
one need become debtor unless he believes
| it will profit him; and the creditor is OBJ
| liged to receive payment upon settled terms
The known fact that the help needed at a
critical period OF mans fortune was at
tainabe on just and reasonable terms has
proved spur to ambition, an incentive to
effort, and curb to unnecessary expendi-
ture, which all united have issued in the
prosperity ii not attiuence of thousands.
The author says that "ln the latter part of
the nineteenth century, governments had
| generally given up trying To regulate the
subject at ALL" A very sensible example,
which the author might have followed with
praise and profit.
He asks whether there WAS any compass
sion felt by those in the enjoyment of a
competency for their fellow mortals; and
tounds satirical criticism upon an utterly
false assumption-that fortune only dis
tinguished" men of his times. From the
cradle to the grave there is difference be-
tween men us great as between day and
night; nearly as great as between lite and
death Unborn and inherent qualities make
them To differ Mind, heart, conscience, mo-
tives, principles, sentiments, actions, every
| thing which pertains To or any way affects
being makes meu to differ Fortune, il at
tanned by It's possessor, is in no sense or
degree AN accident So lar but so far only
as good management, prudence, energy, de-
votion to the object, have contributed to his
success, is a man 1.-THE architect oi his own
fortunes" Behind all this is more potent
cause, u secret reason, a prevailing intiu-
ence; but touch not upon that here. The
principle laid down is constantly accen-
tuated in example and experience. Start
ing equal at sunrise, of two men one would
be in advance OF the other at sunset, The
crime is in villiiying for his progress the
| foremost man, and the desire to shackle him
so as to reduce his pace to that of the inferior.
Because some men, by nature and from
choice, grovel in the dirt, their superiors
must be knocked down and weighted down
beyond hope OF rising, enforced to keep their
vile company! And yet precisely this idea
is firmly rooted in the minds of many who
would not feel themselves complimented
with the title OF anarchists.
| We much enjoyed that passage where the
| dutnOr lays Tue NOT lash Ol tiC uaiC uaCh VI
the contemplate wretch who, inflated with
the power and influence money gives, has
forgotten his beggarly origin, and lords it
with face OF brass over the poor once his in
innate acquaintance. But he ought to know
that it is only the miserable parvenu who
| thus exposes the weakness and brutality OF
| his original nature In this country, where
shrewdness and good eye Tor the main
chance are the only requisites Tor acquiring
a moderate hoard of pelf, and where great
fortunes suddenly made are mainly the re-
suit of audacity and freedom from the re-
strctions OF ethical and moral ideas, the
crop of such miscreants is larger than any
where upon the globe. MIR. Shoddy New
rich scorns even to look upon worthy poor,
to recognize any who from necessity or
choice perform for themselves or Others ser
vices which fools regard as fit only tor
menials What once appeared an amable
and honest character is suddenly developed
into superciiousness and etfroutery. The
shoemaker has laid aside his last, and in his
| luxurious carriage will drive over the re-
| spectacle patrons whose repair work he
once coveted. The mushroom strives To
conceal his antecedents, aud cuts the nc
quaintance even Of his parents.
You remember Mark Twain's inimtable
pictures of Washington life during the
reign oil shoddy Pat O'Riley, fresh from
1.-The oud country" worked as hod carrier
on government building. BY and by he
was elevated to the dignity of government
official Soon as he could afford carriage
and his speckled face, barrel wasted, ele'
phant footed wife could lead II poodle, the
ancient cognomen was hid away with his
overals in some government stable. and out
he came bedizened as the Hon. Patriqut
O'Reile! Men born with II silver spoon III
their mouths, accustomed 10 wealth all theil
lives, starting with the good breeding which
is the almost inseparable concomiant ol
good birth, are kind and considerate in their
intercourse with worthy men less fortunate
than themselves, and always ready to ex
tend iavoring hand to such a. strive an
gently and honestly to better their condi
ton. The finest specimens of the real gen
tleman are found in this class. The beau
tiful soul ever grows more beautiful ~ VIC
tory crowns his lawful striving; showing
that destiny has but elevated him to his
righiful element and station Native ugli
ness becomes strkiHgly conspicuous as the
strong light magnties and distorts latent
vices. The seminal principle resldentiary
only waits for the temperature eff ;ient To
develop and mature. as weed seed, concea'c
from sight, spring suddenly up in the hot
house warmth.
The national idea is kept prominent in
this book In the twentieth century the
government will own and control all rail
roads, telegraphs, warehouses, and every
species Of property whatsoever. All cor
porations, all commerce, all capital will be
consolidated in the name Of "the nation.
Since 1861 the paternal idea of government
has been steadily growing. Advanced will
great caution at first, because of its known
kayffl 4 I'M Uf 10 IL
vocates have gradually assumed boldness
till now we have In this book its open ad
vocacy, and its popularity may partly b
judged by the enormous sale Of t5OOO'
copies. On a fly leal Of this copy is cal
for the organization Of nationalist societies
and the announcement that one has already
been formed in Washington. The reade
will be sure TO remark the constant use o
the word "nation" Thirty years ago thi
term was employed to designate England
France, Germany; any limited or absolute
.EN IUnG