The Nonpartisan Leader

Codfish Aristocracy
Nevis (Minn.) Woman Gives Retort to Mrs. H. A. P.'s Remarks

EDITOR Nonpartisan Leader:

I have been a silent admirer of the Nonpartisan movement for some time, and have taken a great interest in the Woman's page, but today, after reading the letter written by Mrs. H. A. P. of Philadelphia, I felt impelled to make some reply.

According to this lady, it is a very simple matter to mislead "we poor women folks" or "lower class." (Some of the worst crimes on record have been committed by some of the so-called "higher class.")

This lady is the wife of a clever business man. That may mean a whole lot, but is it an honor? You know Rockefeller is a very clever business man, but is he an honest one in the eyes of God? Will he have to account for the misery he has caused in accumulating that wealth? In the sight of God, who says, "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven," how about it?

Among the "leisure class" you will find any number of young people "sowing their wild oats," fit subjects for presidents, governors, statesmen and, most ridiculous of all, "captains of industry."

In regard to art and literature and educating children, this lady is only talking for show. There is as much talent covered up under poverty (caused by the greedy ones crushing those who are less hoggish and give up to them far too willingly) than the rich ever acquired, and one can not acquire refinement without a refined gentle nature to start with -refinement in one sense is a gift of God. You know there is such a thing as "codfish aristocracy."

Mrs. H. A. P. can not educate her children to become broadminded "rulers of men" because she is too narrow and self-centered.

"COMMON HORSE SENSE"
BETTER THAN SCHOOLING

She may have education enough, but education must have a foundation, and that foundation should be what might be termed as "common horse sense."

How are most of these riches accumulated? Simply by oppression. In the Bible (Mrs. H. A. P. quotes the scripture) find Zachariah, chapter 7, verses 10 and to the end of the chapter. Verse 10 says: "Oppress not the widow nor the fatherless, the stranger nor the poor."

Then how about the young man who went to Christ and said: "Good Master what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?" And he was told to keep the commandments. The young man said: "All these things have I kept from my youth up; what lack I yet?" And Christ said: "If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven; and come follow me." This rich young man went away sorrowful because he had great possessions. Then Christ said to his disciples: "Verily I say unto you, that a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven."

I have failed to put myself into the "lower class," although I am far from being rich (my father is one of these "clever business men," shining with his diamonds, but I shrink from such.) I have as good blood in my veins as any one in the United States. I am a descendant of an ex-president, also of the Lees who took part in the Boston tea party, and others that I will not take time to mention, and of course I come of an educated people: music, literature and art run in the family as far back as I know, but since we of the present generation are not "rich" we are of course of the "lower class" and need "uplifting."

The Nonpartisan movement has done far more good for the deserving people than the "rich and leisure class" has done We can not "love thy neighbor as thyself" and meet them on the street with a cold, glassy stare and pull our skirts to one side for fear some of the "lower class" might brush against us. I have lived in the city myself and know how empty-headed "modern society" is. I know one society lady of Omaha who purchased a jeweled packet for her "dear little dog" paying only $10,000 for it a fit mother to rear governors, future presidents and captains of industry(?)