Article November 3, 1898 Issue

AGAINST IMPERIALISM

Dr. Lorimer declared against "imperialism" in his lecture at Tremont Temple, in the Boston Star Course.

He lectured on "Aristocracy in America." After tracing the permanence of aristocracies in republics, Dr. Lorimer said, "It is of the greatest importance that the rich in America should be in touch with our national life and institutions. Now that our borders are expanding, our aristocracy will become a more distinctive feature of our social existence. We cannot afford to permit it to develop in such a way as to endanger individual liberty."

In an effort to define American aristocracy, Dr. Lorimer examined the aristocracy of birth, of idleness, and of privilege, and the absurdity of their claims. "We have seen," he continued, "the gradual extinction of the old European families and the abolition in this country of the privileged class created by slavery. The daring assumptions of monopolies have brought wealth to those who naturally use it unscrupulously. This was demonstrated during the war, when many sons of prominent families were given commissions, which resulted disastrously to army organization. There were others who did honor to their family names. It has been truly said that humanity never had a chance till it reached America, and no country, certainly, ever had a line of monarchs that can compare with our chief magistrates. The real aristocrat is the servant of mankind. The knight must go forth again in quest of the Holy Grail, and 'who would not brave champions be in this, the lordlier chivalry?' This we did in the war with Spain; the college boys did it; and Helen Gould has won the queenly title of a devoted woman. I do not think we want the Philippines. The true 'imperialism' of America means the regeneration of this land as it is and the shedding of light upon the dark places of the earth. Those who stand for that are the true American aristocrates."

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

ITEM OF INTEREST

ITEMS OF INTEREST