Rensselaer Union, Volume 9, Number 20, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 February 1877 — Popularity. [ARTICLE]

Popularity.

We seem to be more or less insane on the subject of popularity. From the smart, bright girl in the grammar school —who would rule and lead “ the girls” in her class —to the men .who look with steadfast gaze at the Presidential chair, calculating with well-hidden diplomacy their chances of obtaining its doubtful honors, we are all seemingly gone mad on this all-important subject. There is no setting about our task for the pleasure of doirg our duty, for the satisfaction of accomplishing something sweet, serviceable, or beautiful. There is no separating our actions from the one all-pervading question of “What people will say?” We set our table for “ looks,” we spend our money for “opinion,” we dress for “ fashion,” we read nothing but what is the “latest,” we condemn with the general verdict, we admire if the critic tells us to, we dare not differ with the bootblack in the street if he has made a song “popular” by whistling it while he “shines” our boots. Whatever we do, say—nay, think, is influenced by the fact that we are utterly dependent upon others. When shall we acknowledge the possibility of enjoyment without the applause of the crowd ? When shall we begin to see the wisdom of a life spent unostentatiously? When shall we be content to refine our whole manners up to the level of simplicity. When shall we, with steady persistence, spend our incomes upon moderate and rational enjoyment, uninfluenced bv the love of display and show ? Indeed, when shall we return to the blessed, blessed “old fogyism” which will not allow anything to trouble us, but lead us to forego “ style” in expenditure, “custom” in conversational usages, “fashiou” in music, “the rage” in art, the “sensation” in the drama, “place” in politics, and “ theory” in religion? When shall our use of language, which more than anything indicates the tendencies of an age, drop the superlatives and become once again plain “yea and nay?” When this movement is once started, then indeed we may all hope to win approbation; when we have aban doned our ambitions and strifes for worldly honors, we may all - hope to win the best -and most perfect success possible.— American Manufacturer.