Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-10-14
GOODWIN SMITH ON AMERICAN
PLUTOCRACY.

Professor Goodwin Smith is an able
and trenchant writer a keen observer
and analyst of conditions and tendcn-
cies in modern society. and n man
whose views command the attention of
two continents. He has been for thirty
years resident of CanaCa, where he
has the advantage of abundant oppor-
tunity for observation, at close range,
of developments in the United States,
While his judgments are not subject to
the discount of partisan bias, as they
would be were he a citizen of the
United States.
His estimate of American plutocracy
and its undemocratic tendencies, as
outlined in n recent pamphlet. is of
peculiar interest and value. OF the
plutocratic class in this country he
says:
1T is useless to rail at n class for
following it's natural bent. At heart it
signs for court and aristocracy. II
is even introducing the powdered
headed footman. while he is going out
of fashion in England. Its social cen
tire is shifting more and more from the
United States to monarchical and ariS-
tocratic England, where II can take
hold on the mantle of high society. get
more homage and subserviency for it's
wealth. hope perhaps In the end to
win its way to the circle of royalty,
and, If ii becomes naturalized to OBJ
tain II knighthood or even n peerage.
II barriers the hands of its daughters
and its millions for arisIocratic con-
nection. One of it's leading members
has just abandoned his native coun-
try for the country of his class. while
he continues to draw a royal income
from the industry of New York"
This is precisely what every obser-
Yer has noted for himself. The pu-
tocracy of the country is at heart mon
archical. 1t would welcome any change
in the form of this government that
would accentuate the distinction con-
'ferred by mere wealth with artificial
titles and dignities as well. Numeri-
cally it is not formidable; but when it
is recalled that it controls more than
half of the total wealth OF the country,
it Is seen how menacing is this mon
archical cult, this recrudescence of
Toryism.
Herein lies no small part OF the dan
ger of Imperialism. 1t appeals directly
to n powerful body OF sentiment al
ready developed in this country, and
commands the ready devotion of n
class that controls the major part of
the country's wealth. 1t would, there
FORE need for the contamination of its
purposes only a suitable instrument
for the forcible expression of its creed;
such, for example. as a large standing
army.
~ C torn nd
ocracy of sentiment that was formerly
the dominant characteristic of the
American people. is gradually and GER
tainly disintegrating through the in
sidious influence OF accommodating
wealth inequitably distributed. Instead
of this rugged democracy of sentiment
we have on the one extreme the cold
and brutal contempt of the plutocracy
for the masses, and on the other the
fierce and sullen hatred of the poor.
finding expression in riot and disorder
and anarchistic eXtravagances.
10 these conditions 1t is useless to
close our eyes. 1t does no good to dis
miss them as the mere froth OF n fer
menting society. Mr.. Bryan has never
uttered n clearer statement of the case
than when he declared. 1T is the dol
lar against the man." Whether the
dollar is after another dollar. or
whether il is after Il title, it is against
the man. 1t is not nice contest, and
it doesn't give rise to nice sentiments
on the one side or the other-but, as
Professor Smith says. at is useless TO
rail at class for following it's bent"
1t is not new bent, and history con
tains ample warning as to the danger
OF following it too far.