Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1912-11-04

SESSION OF wealth by others begetS the
Anarchist spirit within us; we incline
to the belief that 1t is the vulgar dis
play OF wealth, the niggardly actions
and snobbery Of many people of great
wealth, that the spirit of re-
sentiment. No doubt some few men
inherit, are born with more or less of,
the Anarchist spirit. with an Unborn
evil spirit-morose, chronic grumblers
and GROWERS. Such are not normal by
birth and are not to blame, and in a
sense, may be pitfed rather than con-
demned, and-should rather be classed
as semi-insane cranks.
Socialism Is, quite another thing,
but, no doubt, embraces Anarchists.
All Socialists are not Anarchists. but
likely all Anarchists r Socialists.
In u younger days we pictured So
c~ialists as long-haired men, dreamers,
fond of beer and discussion, with fan
tastic notions and Utopian visions.
not overload Of work, but full of
theory. and what they conceive to be
philosophy. Now we know there are
many welI-informed. quite iikable
men who are Socialists, but we still
believe most Of them to be overyain
and conceited, fond of printing them
selves with ~socialistic literature, en-
abling them to out-argue. and discon-
cert Woodworking men who have no
time, even II the disposition, to go into
such matters. but the Socialist enjoys
this kind of thing so much that many
Of them ere long begin TO believe 1t
In earnest and become very enthusi-
n a&fo an1 t4-a+t1~A -, 4lo ao,,u
There always has been and always
will be spiritualists, Socialists and
such like people, who love to be odd
and eccentric and pose as in the line
Of advanced thought, and there VIII
always be, as there always has been,
morose, disgruntled people, because
born so, but we seriously doubt If
there would ever be many, liz any,
overt acts of anarchy aside from a
criminal elass) but for snobbery and
the unfair advantage that wealth
takes over poverty. There would
seem to be little excuse for anarchy
in America, a country SO favored by
the Almighty.
In the history Of the world. where
has the financially middle and poor
classes been better off than they have
been and are here, and when in the
history of this country have the
masses been better employed, better
paid, better housed, with more COM
forts, than now? And yet there is
more unrest and discomfort than ever
before.
Rather than ungratefui, unappreci-
alive discomfort, it would be more
becoming If we all thank God that
good fortune, rather than any merit
of our own. has favored us by cast
ing our children's lot in a land so
favored by Providence.
1t is altogether likely thai the main
thing that's the matter with us in
America is too much prosperity. We
are so surfeited with plenty of en-
ployment at nigh wages, plenty of
prosperity, that rothing satisfies. If
the Young and middle-aged of today
| knew the conditions that prevailed
even in this country up to say 1860
they would be glad they are alive,
much less grumbling and discon-
tented.
True men feel the sting of unmer-
tied poverty in the presence of mas
sive wealth, particularly when in the
hands of unsympathetic. fint-heart-
| ed men. but for all this we doubt il
the mere possession of wealth by
others begets resentment and the
Anarchist spirit so much as does
snobbery and vulgar, ostentatious
display. Poor men know, too, that
money. strong political, professional
and even religious influence have been
brought to bear to punish, even i'm
prison them. for the lesser offenses.
while wealthy men escape punish
ment for the same or greater offenses
through the same influence. This lat
ter and snobbery we believe to be the
two things that go to engender the
Anarchist spirit. since every normal
man feels that he can earn a living
and a competency If he has a fair
show.
We, ourselves, confess tothe rising
of the spirit of resentment against
snobbery. which tries our forbear-
ance: possibly it should be pity or
contempt, for, for instance. when a
young man marries or inherfts (he
seldom earns) money, he turns his
pants up one or two more inches at
the bottom, he gets a bulldog and
chain. an eyeglass and essays to talk
hoarse and low down in his throat.
Young ONE coming to wealth stop
talking naturally, cut their less for
tunate schoolgirl acquaintances and
begin to brag of how little they know
about doing or even knowing any
thing, because, of course, of the
money back of them. They decorate
their silly conversation with the
words "awfully,' perfectly fear
fully and "frightfully" to p~rofusion.
Such a one is "frightfully in love-"
"fearfully RICH lawfully clever or
perfectly cute IT is difficult when
we are obliged 10 see, meet or listen