ONLY “AN ORDINARY MORTAL.”
By G.
PEOPLE reared under imperial government are accustomed to stand in awe of high officials and the nobility class in general. Men of the more common orders fear these higher castes, and never expect them to do common things. It is this principle of subserviency on the part of the masses, and the human disposition to worship wealth and title, that give the exclusive possession of these things to a comparatively small number of people, and endow them with the power that such advantages wield. Men would not care so much for wealth and title were it not that others are so inclined to look up to them, and honor them because of such possessions. The Hearst newspapers have incidentally caused a surprise, even in London, by securing a common news interview from the Grand Duke Vladimir, of Russia. A London telegram says: “The interview with Grand Duke Vladimir caused a journalistic sensation. The British press is not accustomed to see the uncle of a czar quoted in a newspaper like an ordinary mortal. They could not believe such a thing possible until they had telegraphed to St. Petersburg, and received word that the interview was authorized and absolutely correct.” Even the managers of those powerful English newspapers supposed there were human beings too august and dignified, because of wealth and title, for them to approach through ordinary business channels. Of course, the lordly ones of earth will perch high, and look with disdain upon the “mudsills” that form the foundation of their positions, as long as they are lauded and honored because of their good fortune. Nor are they likely to be brought down, excepting in isolated cases, while the efforts to humiliate them are confined to a mere envious ambition to change places with them. No position in the power of man to confer, nor all the wealth of the world, can legitimately raise any man above the rank of “an ordinary mortal.” The greatest Man this world ever saw sought not the honor of men. When they would take Him by force to make Him a king, He hid Himself from them. “Being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself.” Had ordinary mortals been likewise minded, there never would have been such a thing as tyranny among men. But for the worship and envy of wealth and rank by the “common people,” no republic or democracy could ever become a monarchy. And while there exists the disposition to laud the autocratic class, and to imitate autocratic manners, monarchical principles will rule, whatever the form of government may be. G.