The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-03-26
THE RICH AND THEIR MENTORS.

The rich man is having an uncommon
ly hard time of it in these latter days, if
serving as target for all sorts of re-
formers has any effect on his sensibili.
ties. 1t is no new thing for him to serve
as point of attack. Since it was said,
eighteen hundred years ago. that it was
easier for q camel TO go through the eye
of n needle than for him to enter the
kingdom of God he has not been al
lowed to forget that his road was the
broad one towards destruction. Solicit
tude in regard to his condition and well
fare has never ceased, but the atten-
tons pressed upon him of late are pro-
fuse to degree that must be
somewhat overpowering. If he reads
the papers he discovers all sorts
of chances for reducing him to
the common level of humanity so
far as the possession of cash is con-
cerned. The Nationalist party proposes
to take his wealth away from him and
give it to the state. The Populist party
thinks it would be better to divide it up
among the people who have less. He
is referred to opprobriously as "a "pluto-
crat," "monopolist" and a "blOated
bondhOlder," while some have no
scruples in calling him q robber, argu-
ing that no man can come honestly by
million dollars. When no undertakes
business enterprise, even though it will
incidentally inure to the benefit of the
community and give employment to
hundreds. it is assumed that his motive
is wholly selfish and that he must there
fore be hampered and restricted on
every hand lest he secure undue ad-
vantage. AS if this were not enough,
he is preached at from the pull
pits. Sermonizers find an unfalIing
text in the rich man. They are pro-
foundry impressed with the danger Of
riches, and they warn the owner there
of, with an eloquence that is positively
fearful, of the temptations and perils
that surround him. "One of the sad
dest sights to a pastor" says one of
these sermons which happens to have
got into print, els the increasing world
Illness which often accompanies increas-
ing prosperity" Is it. then, the COM
mon experience of pastors that spiritu-
atty is the usual accompaniment of
poverty? "Itis of supreme Importance"
goes on the preacher, "that this man
| (meaning the prosperous man) should
be prayed for, and that he pray for him
self, that he cultivate that loveliest and
rarest of graces-humility" Humility
is undoubtedly grace, but does it or
dinarily belong to the poor man. and if
not, why should it not be of equal i'm
portance to him?
The truth is, the rich man gets more
than his share of attention. The poor
man, if he be honest with himself,
knows that sundry temptations beset
| him with which the possession of money
has nothing to do; that if he be not
| careful he will be filled with envy. dis
content and malice-all because he Is
not prosperous. Human nature is pref
| ty much the same in all sorts and condi-
| tons of men. and all are sure to have
due proportion of trial and temptation
| in one shape or another. 1t might be as
| well to acknowledge frankly that the
| general sollcitude in behalf of the rich
| man is directed more to his money than
tn him. The saint is rare who can pray
that the plutocrat may be humble and at
! the same time sternly refuse to become
a plutocrat himself, because to do so
would endanRer his OVID humil-
ity. Even the same preacher, who is
oppressed by the dangers that
surround the wealthy, can only
say he is "almost thankful that he is
not rich lest riches in his hands might
| mean disaster to his fellow-men aud
ruin to his own soul. Almost, but not
| quite. Even he would accept liberal
| competence. So would We all. The
| Nationalist wish to share the benefits of
wealth. so do the Populists. Every
man who decries the possession by 9th
ers of much money would take it him.
self if he could. For good uses, of
course; oh, to be sure. But perhaps
those who have it now mean to make
| good use of it. Until the opposite is
certain they should not be too severely
condemned. The rich man should have
| a chonea