The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1897-10-13
CoMPLAcENCY OF MEDIocRITY.
People Who Live in Opposition to
Certain Laws Of Nature.
From the Columb bia Register.

Among contemporary newspaper writer's
there Is none whose productions enjoy more
than IAN Idler." He veiws humanity from a
lofty and serene height, and depicts Its foibles
and vanities in remarkably ana forcible
and vivid style. Writing on the above sub
ject (Which | confess to having borrowed) in
II know whole families of hopelessly m ed.
cestor who achieved distinction a hundred
years ago, live In constant thanksgiving that
they are not as other people! None OF them
have done anything to be particularly proud
of since their remote progenitor signed the
Declaration OF Independence or governed
colony. They have vegetated in small pro-
vncial cities, intermarried into other equally
fortunate families. but the sense Of superior
ity Is there to sustain them under stratened
circumstances and diminishing prestige. The
world may move on around them, but they
never advance. Why should they? They
have reached perfection.
1.-The brains and enterprise that have revo-
lutionized our age may beat in vain at their
doors. They form that vast majority that is
always in the wrong because they are so
pleased with themselves and their feeble lit
tie lines Of thought that any change or ad.
vancement gives their system painful
schock."
We all recognize these South Carolina Phar-
isees whenever we are SO unfortunate as to
come into contact with them-or, rather,
whenever they are SO unfortunate as to come
into contact with us; or, II we are so blind
and obtuse as not TO be able TO distinguish
them from the rest OF mankind by their
marks OF birth and breeding, we are very
likely to be impressed with their superiority
by means OF hints and innuendoes; and II
these fail of their purpose we are liable TO be
Ak nocked down." l confess to having been
stunned time or two when l refused to see.
The plan of the Creator is subverted when
women Of birth and breeding must needs be
brought into contact with the world in order
to live. The public" is something pestilen-
tial. see nothing ahead OF these people who
live in opposition to the laws Of health and
happiness. and try TO turn backward the tide
of civilization, but for the world to move on
and epgulf them with their pitiable COM
plainings in the great vortex of energy and
brains.
On the other hand, and In direct oppos-
ton to these very superior and God-like peo-
ple Ia another sect OF PhariSees who are at
once the purest, the most evil-mnded and un-
progressive people on the globe. They are
God.like they think, but there is always O
difference of opinion. Protesting 10 despise
all things terrestrial earthly aud otherwise),
they live in constant hope of reward In the
life to come.
Now, the truth is we can't get everything
we want in this lie and 1t isn't always best
that We should; but we can get some things
that are good for US II we will only be true
and brave and will work and wait.
II Is useless to discuss the complacency OF
ignorance. Iactually envy it, l suppose ev-
erybody does. quite agree with "An 1dler'
that our sympathies should be kept for those
dhu loiChlSu opllIlo WIZ dlc
foolish enough TO have a higher ideal than
their neighbors, and in struggling after an
unattainable perfection, ta!l by the wayside."
We hear much of the rcstesSness OF the
age. ] am glad that it is restless AS some
writer has said, IT is divine restlessness
Setting aside the three classes have already
named, there is still large remainder in this
state OF men and women who know that they
were not born on Olympian heights. and are
willing TO climb labori0usly upward in pur-
suit OF an ideal, If the opportunity were only
given them.
We all know that genius is a wild thing
that II will not be hampered by ventton
ment for its tsdevelopmeut, and with my whole
heart ana soul ! rebel against social condi
tions that compel women to 60 through life
with unsatisfied lOngings of mind and heart,
because conventon-the lord and chief ruler
of womankind-has decreed 1t in the dark
and medieval ages. La Femme.