Page:The collected works of Theodore Parker volume 7.djvu/267

Rh In the Revolution this desire of the nation was prominent, and same to consciousness. It was the desire of the most eminent champions of liberty. At one time in the history of tho nation, tho platform of speakers was in. advance of the floor that was covered by the people at large, because at that time the speakers became conscious of the idea which possessed tho hearts of tho people. That is tho reason why John Hancock, tho two Adamses, and Jefferson, came into great prominence before the people. They wore more tho people than the people themselves; more democratic than the Democrats. I know, and I think it must be quite plain in our history, that this has been tho chief desire of the people. If so, it determines our political destination.

However, with nations as with men, there are exceptional desires; one of which, with, the American nation at present, is the desire for wealth. Just now, that is the most obvious and preponderate desire in the consciousness of the people. It has increased surprisingly in fifty years. It is the special, the chief desire of the controlling class,—by the controlling class, I mean what are commonly called "our first men." I admit exceptions, and state the general rule. With them everything gives way to money, and money gives way to nothing, neither to man nor to God.

See some proofs of this. There are two ways of getting money; one is by trade, the other is by political office. The pursuit of money, in one or the other of these ways, is the only business reckoned entirely "commendable" and "respectable." There are other callings which are very noble in themselves, and deemed so by mankind ; but here they are not thought "commendable" and "respectable," and accordingly you very seldom see young men, born in what is called the most respectable class of society," engaged in anything except the pursuit of money by trade or by office. There are exceptions; but the sons of "respectable men," so called, seldom engage in the pursuit of anything but money by trade or office. This is the chief desire of a majority of the young men of talent, ambition, and education. Even in colleges more respect is paid to money than to genius. The purse is put before the pen. In the churches, wealth is deemed better than goodness or