The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1905-08-09
WHAT IS
WRONG WITH
SOCIETY?
By Nine. SARAH GRAND. Novelist

- BY Nine. SARAH GRAND. Novelist
80 idea in the air at the present time is that the moro com
pick life becomes the less pleasant; that in the making OF
mere machines is no lasting joy; that our Wanted prog
rss has been in our manufactures only, and that individu-
ais are neither better nor happier, but rather worse and
more miserable THAN THEY EVER WERE.
We advance in a spiral; elimination and reaction r the law
We have come to the elimination of excess. We have carnage in en-
cess, poverty in excess, riches in excess, philanthropy in excess (some
only( callousness in excess, for sure; pretcntousness and vulgarity-
everything in excess BUT THE ONE THING MOST DEsIRA-
BILE, and that, it would seem, has suffered blight in this atmosphere
reeking with excuses. There is no excess of happiness. Greatness
also, if it be still with us, travels in disguise and is mistaken for mere
eccentricity. tt mediocrity, for the most part, that has all its own
way. We have no Titans now in literature, in art, in music or in any
of the happier influences of life. War, the dirty work Of the world.
calls forth only such strength as is necessary to do the dirty work.
Mediocrity in politics poions altruism and keeps mon crouchng,
READY TO SPRING AT EACH OTHERS THROATS. Re
lgion is being degraded in a profitable commercial enterprise.
All this must be stopped some say. And some say, How? The
simple life! But WHAT constitutes the simple life! The phrase
means to the imagination of many of us great discomfort, unnecessary
prwation, work done i'll by u S which others might with profit to them
selves be doing well, and all that contracts instead Of expanding our
hearts and our higher nature. A simple life which finds expression in
surroundings of doubtful refinement, in garments not immaculate, in
manners that are an ofense and in the absence Of all that makes for
beauty is NOT SIMPLE AT ALL, but ugly.
THERE IS NOTHING MORALLY WRONG IN A MISERABLE COT
cEss'TY' IS APT TO SET UP a SENSE OF SUPERIORITY WHICH MAY
cuLm'NATE IN 'NoRo'NATE coNcE'T. PEOPLE MAY, WITH A FINE
ArreVIA'IONO t SIMPLICITY, IL NJ PRETENSION AND POSE.
The test OF a principle is, does it make for happiness2 Not the
happiness of the individual, but the general good. The one includes
the other, of course, but this is not always evident, and there are in
consequence numbers who, rejecting the great principle, regulate their
conduct by a petty theory which promises them some personal advan-
tage-AT THE EXPENSE OF OTHERS as a rule. Self interest
governs the world; individuals only are disinterested. The self inter
ested do not see IS a whole, but in little sections, each little section
being in relation to their own little selves and not to humanity at
large, and they suffer for their narrowness in that the course they pur-
sue does not result in the happiness they had antnpat, ed. Life i a
growing fabric into which each individual should be helping to weave
a portion Of one beautiful design.
'tnun "'Ni i":st = \ = -"
. 1t is the ABSENCE OF RECIPROCITY that makes life such
a dull business. Tea parties, garden parties, dinners, almost our only
openings for social ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS jers at them, everybody
goes to them, and suffers exposition of dizziness. Why! Because
the desire to pleas" is absent from the minds of most Of the people we
meet. Go to an entertainment and ask yourself afterward why you
have or have not enjoyed it, and you will find the reason in the atti-
4ude Of the people present toward you. You may take plenty Of di-
verhng conversation yourself and come away with it all on your hands,
because the atmosphere for some reason n other was CHARGED
WITH ANTAGONIST. Or You may, if you arc a person of conse-
quence, come away with the Aattering sense Of having been a social
success because people thought it worth their while to pay you great
attention. But seldom in society as it is al present constituted do peo-
pies hearts expand to each other in the genial glow of a MUTUAL
DESIRE to please.
We all of Ills know all about the simple life. In the song it is AS
serted that the lark sale, Give us glory" but the dove said. Give us
peace" The dove, however, indignantly rcpuliated this assertion.
She declared that what she did say was, GIVE lis love, and give us
peace And there is much to be said for the doves contention.
BUT AFTER ALL IT Is WHAT WE HAVE IN OURSELVES THAT De.
c'DEs 1T. IF WE CULTIVATE RIGHT THINKING, RIGHT SPEAKING
AND RIGHT DOING, ALL OTHER MATTERS WILL ARRANGE THEM
SELVES IN THE RIGHT WAY.
British and American
Street Car Transportation
BY J. A DALRYr1pLE. GLASGOW Traction Expert