Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1905-03-17

T, r,..ur.c and conclud". il is an error
4 ti...,. HAT uuy advantages. What
&c. tlcy arr. >'.r!.id l." Pat t. the
service Of uur vanity. Zach OF them
constitute, Tor him who enjoys 1t an
obligation and not :. reason for vain
glory. Material wealth. power. knowl-
edge. gifts Of the heart and mind. be-
come 50 much cnuSc for discurl when
they serve ~ nouriSh pride. They re-
main !pur:iccut only 50 long as they
are the source of mUIeSty i'll those who
POSSESS them.
Let us be humble if we have great
puss,SSiullS. for that proves that We
are great debtors. All that man has
lc owes to some one, and are we sure
Of being able to pay our debts?
Let Us be humble if we sit in high
our hands, for no clear sighted man
can fail to be sensible Of unfltness for
30 grave Il role.
Let us be humble if we have much
knowledge, for it only serves to better
Sow the vastness of the unknown, and
~ N'ibl'AlC tAC lIttic We nave ulS
covered for ourselves with the ampli-
tude Of that which we owe to the pains
of others.
And, above ALL let us be humble If we
are virtuous, since no one should he
more sensible of his defects than lie
whose conscience is flumined, and
since he, more than any one else. should
feel the need Of charity toward evil
doors, even of suffering in their stead.
And what about the necessary dis
tinctions in life?" some one may ask.
AS result Of your slmplifications
are you not going to destroy that sense
OF the difference between men which
must he maintained if society exists
at all?"
l have no mind to suppress distinc-
tons and differences, but think that
what distinguishes a man Is not found
In his social rank. his occupation, his
dress or his fortune, but solely in him.
self More than any other, our own age
has pricked the vain bubble Of purely
outward greatness. To be somebody
Mt present 1t does not suffice to wear
the mantle Of an emperor or a royal
crown. What honor is there In WELD
Ing power through gold lace, coat Of
arms or q ribbon? Not that visible
signs are to be despised - they have
their meaning and use-but OH cOndi-
ton that they cover something and not
a vacuum. The moment they cease to
stand for realities they become useless
and dangerous. The only true dlstinc-
ton is superior worth. If you would
lave social rank duly respected you
must begin by being worthy Of the
rank that is your own: otherwise you
help to bring it into hatred and con-
tempt. IL is. unhappily, too true. that
respect is diminishing among US, and it
certainly is not from a lack Of lines
drawn round those who wish to be re-
spected. The root OF the evil is In the
mistaken idea that high station ex-
empts him who holds it from observing
the common obligations Of life. AS We
rise we believe that we free ourselves
from the law. forgetting that the spirit
Of obedience and humility should grow
with our possessions and power So 1t
~OAh,c opOoS tioI thOSC VIII ucIuuuu
the most homage make the least effort
to merit the homage they demand
This Is why respect is diminishing.
The sole distinction necessary is the
wish to become better. The man who
strives to be better becomes more
humble. more approachable, more
friendly even with those who owe him
allegiance. but as he gains by being
better known he loses nothing in dis
tinction. and he reaps the more respect
In that he has sown the less pride.