The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-03-01
MERE MANHOOD.
attempted.

While we have abundant reason for being
offended at English class distinctions, there
are many aud most important lessons and
most elegant ideas to be gathered from them.
Their almost contempt for the specialist, the
day-laborer. the mechanic, the tradesman, or
even the highest professional man who is de-
pendent on his muscle or his its for his living
has in it a great natural truth. As far as they
mean a contempt for honest toll we pro-
foundry despise them. But as far as it means
dissatisfaction with any kind of human slav-
cry OF slavishness, we honor them. The
English nobleman free from the entangle-
ment Of little daily necessities and obligations,
and enjoying the glorious privilege Of indie
pendence; at liberty to indulge the highest
and largest aspirations for all that is good and
true and beautiful. and TO Crafty all
the generous impulses Of a noble soul:
Whole as the marble, founded as
the rock, as broad and general as the casing
air'-stands forth as a son Of Adam; the
browning work Of Creation. Whether the
privileges and immunities of rank are the
sure guarantee of this perfect estate is
another question. But the accepted ideal Of
English nobility is one Of the world Is cherished
imaginations; high inspiration. 1t is latter
day type Of primeyal manhood.
In our country ideal manhood suffers.
while in our unpatrician and democratic way
in the struggle and strife. first for a bare
living and then for the greedy accumulation
OF means or ungenerous self-advancement. we
-. al. 1.
mos, and say 1.-THE devil take the hindmost"
II - no wonder that in the desperate
scramble, without any regard TO the
essential qualities and graces. and true glOries
OF manhood. or % the only life worth living
We praise the successful, be he lawyer, quack
thief. or big sensation by any name. We
count ont the claims Of character, are indif-
ferent TO d.sgrsceful motives, methods
crimes or men, and value and praise whatever
secures for success III getting gear or achieving
place. Success compensates for everything
that is bad or deficient. The ample mantle
OF luck covers great mulutudes Of meannesses.
of sins, OF offences against the commonest
standards of decency and proprety.
The ideal (not often the reaD English
nobleman is a most wholesome contemplation
"a National study. like the Cid But it be-
hooves.us TO study the thing thoroughly, aud
not be fooled by place aud forms and shows of
Doblenoss. Vulganty and ambition are not
lifted by an alliance with titles or name.
What can, snoblo thieves and knaves and
towards
Not all the noble blood of all the Howards."
While we contemplate and study the ideal,
it becomes the American citizen 10 look to the
essentials OF nobility, eliminating all the lend
ings and accidents. The study that most de-
serves our attention. that all our people in
their Utmost souls are most concerned about.
is: What is Lifey and What is Manhood?
What is Nobleness? What Makes Life Worth
Living5 We must 90 back to first principles,
and learn TO appreciate the high privileges of
manhood-pure and simple; little lower
than the highest; made after the divine original.
In this free country of ours, where men are born
free and equal i'll national rights with the
privilege of life. and the responsibility of
earning an honest living, the first great
anxiety is: How shall We make a support?
For what shall we give up our energies and
ourselves? In what capacity shall We serve?
ut before all these, and above them. is the
consideration: How shall manhood be kept
and maintained and made to grow and ma
ture? How shall We be fitted to enjoy
our high and divine patrimony--the inestima-
Die gift-mere manhood. How shall we learn
to estimate worth and value by the weights
aud measures Of natural truth and nobleness
and purify and perfect the material that will
dignity any form, shape, or mold. and honor
any place or position2 How shall we be in
sympathy with the highest that ever bore hu-
man shape, who was jealous to be known as
the Son Of Man?