The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1906-01-11

marks as, w neither " HiaH oii@h VI wv,
will be all the same to him after a few
short years; for he cannot take any
earthly riches with him in his passage
to the Great Hereafter. But are such
doctrines sound and RATIONALE Are they
dictated by wisdom? Will they bear
critical analysis2 No, most assuredly
not. Money, when honestly earned or
Justly acquired, is good thing. Wealth,
honestly accumulated and rightly used
is productive of far-reachipg, beneflcent
results.
Whether man has competency or
not is not "all the same in a few short
years" The possession of compe-
tency is, in the majority of cases one
of the conditions of happiness here be-
low. 1t affects man physically, in
tellectually, morally-and even spiritual
ly in many instances. 1t normally al
fects the temporal happiness OF those
near and dear to him-and OF others.
But whatever affects the temporal
happiness of people must necessarily al
feet their character-for the better, II
the Happiness is of the right kind; for the
worse, if it is of the kind that will in
evitably end in bodily pain and mental
anguish Hence the possession or the
possession of competency Is
matter of far-reaching and momentous
importance. This applies to all people.
If mans happiness and wellbeing
are partly determined by his having
competency, honestly and righteously
earned, or justly acquired in any other
manner, does his possession of such
moderate amount of earthly wealth, I'M
der normal circumstances and condl'
tions, and when rightly used, not also
affect the happiness and well being OF
his family? Does it not, normally, con-
tribute much-very, very much-to the
happiness of his posterity for genera
tions, perhaps centuries. after he LAY
down into the long sleep"I Yes, it does
And therefore the benefits that may re-
suit from the possession of competency
may, and normally do, continue for an
indefinite time, if not perpetually
Hence the original possessOr Of gwen
amount of wealth or money, normally
derives perpetual benefit from it. for
whatever benefits him directly does not
benefit him 80 much as that DEMENT'S
him which benefits his children, or his
childrens children.
Other things being tolerably all
right, what courtesy and consideration
are not shown to the possessor OF wealth
n ev cry community! If he Is tolerably
good, or is supposed to be so, what
social honors are not accorded to him
What political favors are not showered
upon him!
He has every opportunity to cultivate
generosity and charitableness Indeed,
unless he is devoid of heart and soul,
he cannot hut become exceptionally
kind generous, considerate and charta-
BILE He has no room for cynicism and
pessimism. His merits are not bellttled;
his good qualities are recognized and
magnfied.
OF course, all this honor is largely
vicarous, for it is primarily intended for
the palatial residence, the fine equipage,
and the faultess rament.
What the man of means says, will be
favorably considered, approved of, and
commended. But what the impecunious
man says cuts no ice, no matter how
wise, learned, honest, and industrious |
he may be- A mans character, ability |
and all.around worth count for naught |
in the realm of politics, unless these
things are backed by dollars The
qualities mentioned count for little in
society, unless they are accompanied by
the possession of dollars, or the holding
of office or position which requires
either wealth or II pull.
Then again, the man of wealth may
exercise the great pleasure of rendering |
assistance to the INDECENT; of scattering |
as it We're; OF contributing
Literally to the support of every deserv-
ing movement started in the community. |
But there are thousand other reasons
for the fact that it is desirable 20 possess
material wealth, provided it be I'M
tainted. The man that has dollars may
do many things with IMMUNITY that his
impecunious neighbor dare not attempt |
This, we admit, is dangerous state
ment for, while it gives expression to q
truth, it is none the less vulnerable,
when properly twisted 1t may be just
ly said that the very fact that the poor
man is not permitted to enjoy all the
privileges and immunities that are ac
corded to, and enjoyed by, the man of
wealth is, in n sense, IA privilege of, or
protection to, the former
Reader, if You are disposed to question
the truth of any of the foregoing re-
marks, we refer you to The Tailor
Patched