The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-07-01

Better is the poor man that walketh
in uprightness. than he that is per-
verse in his ways, though he be rich
Proverbs XxVIII:6.
This assertion made by the gifted
Solomon is almost a self-evident truth.
There really should not be any need
of much argument to establish it. That
the man who obeys the laws of men
and God and thereby conducts him
self in an upright fashion is better OF
in all respects than the one who dis
regards all authority except what he
considers to be vested il himself,
should not need demonstration. It's
a fact that should be apparent to every
one. The rather strange thing about
it is, though, that there actually are
those perverse in their ways and hold
ing all law and authority in scant re-
spect who consider themselves to be of
a superior mould to others who are
sticklers for rectitude. And as the
words quoted above suggest, it is gen.
orally the rich who are inclined this
way
Money and the worldly goods it buys
are fine things. No man is to be held
up to scorn and criticism merely be-
cause he is the possesso- of them in
abundance, provided they have been
acquired by him honestly Rather is
he to be commended for his acume
and sagacity, and especially if he be
wise in the administration of his
wealth for the benefit of his fellow
men as many rich men ar But the
truth will not down that this country.
and other countries too, fer that mat
ter, have a large number of persons
who have accumulated great wealth
by hook or crook, or who have had it
thrust Upon them by thrifty ancestors,
who look upon themselves as being
above and beyond all laws and regula-
tions. They get a mistaken idea OF the
power of money. They believe that
the possession of it in large amounts
makes all things amenable to their
Wills. They frequently indulge in
actual crimes with the belle, that their
means are all sufficient to make it GER
tain that they will escape the penal
ties often they do not seem to be
mistaken in this respect. All men are
supposed to be equal before the laws
of this and other civilized nations. But
such equality is practically one of
theory. The man with plenty of
money can hire lawyers who are quite
as smart as the cleverest OF prosecut-
ing officers and courts. Through
trickery and device, anc even the
most dishonorable of means. they are
able occasionally to defeat the ends of
justice
Now on the face Of them, these con-
ditions would appear to place the per-
verse rich in a much better position
than the honest poor. But except for
the few individuals who become hard
ened brutes. a continual perversity,
which leads to crimes of all sorts. and
of greater and less intensity, makes life
almost unbearable for the man who
INDUCES in it. His conscience makes
for a misery Of mind which is unceas-
ing. There may be no outward mani
festation of this. But behind the mask
that covers his face and actions. this
condition maintains. It makes for
any and everything with the exception |
of peace, contentment and happiness.
It gnaws at the vitals of all things
which makes life worth while.
There is but one way to get ade-
quate satisfaction out OF lie, and it |
matters uOl WAAStIleA d man De ilcll VI /
poor. It is to be found by living in |
uprightness; in certain obedience |
to all such laws as prevail in the
realms of civilization; in as much in
tegrity and probity in social life as is
demanded nowadays in the business
world. The man who lives a life of
rectitude in all particulars is the win
ner all along the line. His future is ,
secure, even after death.