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Editorial
March 20, 1941
Montgomery County Sentinel
Rockville, Gaithersburg, Montgomery County, Maryland
What is this article about?
The editorial contrasts America's fluid social classes, where high positions are attainable from humble origins, with Europe's rigid divides. It notes the World War's role in bridging English class gaps through shared disaster, akin to family unity in grief, viewing it as a blessing.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
Common Ground
An admiring note stressed in a foreigner's conception of the American way, is our common ground of fellowship. The Old World finds such a difference in class that the wall between high and low is almost insurmountable. The man born to the lowly, the very poor and uneducated, finds the space so broad that he cannot cross to the other side. In our country, in our own section there are various classes but the line is not drawn so decidedly, the boundary not impassable, the feeling of rank not so distinct. Wherever you go you will find distinctions in breeding, wealth and education, but in America the highest positions can be attained, the loftiest pinnacles in society scaled, by the man that comes of lowly birth.
The present war has had its effect on the class feeling in England where there was such a pronounced difference in class. It seems that disaster bring men together and they meet on common ground when grief and disaster visit them. Where trouble brings title to the side of peasant, where a cockney peddler aids my lord, the chorewoman is lifted by my lady. A family will consist of four children who grow up to differ in temperament, intelligence and diligence. They wander far away to greatness, poverty, disgrace and normalcy. Comes grief to the parental roof and from afield return the four to stand intact and united in the common sorrow, on common ground. A blessing in England from out the smoke and debris.
An admiring note stressed in a foreigner's conception of the American way, is our common ground of fellowship. The Old World finds such a difference in class that the wall between high and low is almost insurmountable. The man born to the lowly, the very poor and uneducated, finds the space so broad that he cannot cross to the other side. In our country, in our own section there are various classes but the line is not drawn so decidedly, the boundary not impassable, the feeling of rank not so distinct. Wherever you go you will find distinctions in breeding, wealth and education, but in America the highest positions can be attained, the loftiest pinnacles in society scaled, by the man that comes of lowly birth.
The present war has had its effect on the class feeling in England where there was such a pronounced difference in class. It seems that disaster bring men together and they meet on common ground when grief and disaster visit them. Where trouble brings title to the side of peasant, where a cockney peddler aids my lord, the chorewoman is lifted by my lady. A family will consist of four children who grow up to differ in temperament, intelligence and diligence. They wander far away to greatness, poverty, disgrace and normalcy. Comes grief to the parental roof and from afield return the four to stand intact and united in the common sorrow, on common ground. A blessing in England from out the smoke and debris.
What sub-type of article is it?
Social Reform
Moral Or Religious
What keywords are associated?
Common Ground
Class Distinctions
Social Mobility
War Unity
England Classes
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
Social Mobility And Class Unity In Crisis
Stance / Tone
Admiring Of American Fellowship And Positive On Disaster's Unifying Effect
Key Arguments
America Has Less Rigid Class Distinctions Than The Old World
High Social Positions Accessible From Lowly Birth In America
Present War Bridges Class Divides In England Through Shared Grief
Disaster Unites People And Families On Common Ground