Toadies And Others

TOADIES AND OTHERS

IF Masons act np to the principles they profess , there can be nothing like toadyism among them . Unfortunately , as we remarked in a recent issne , men , when they become Masons , do not always cast aside their nn-Masonic

weaknesses . Of course , we give them credit for striving to do so most earnestly , but the uncomfortable fact remains notwithstanding , that the relations between Members of the Craft are not always as Masonic as they should be .

One of the grand governing principles of our Craft is that of equality , by which we do not mean the cant equality of which theorists are prone to write , but that sensible kind of equality which places all men on an equal footing as regards certain conditions . For instance , men

may be unequal as regards rank or wealth , but they may be equally respectable , their good deeds may shine with the same brilliancy , they may possess pretty nearly the same qualities of heart and mind . There may , in fact , be equality in certain respects , if not in all . This is well nigh the

utmost we can hope for , and it is in this sense that Masonry regards all men as equal . We do not profess to say that all Masons are on an equal footing in all respects , or that they should be so . That were a proposition , which only an inmate of Bedlam would be likely to lay

down . They are bound , by the same vows , and to observe the same landmarks , but the equality they preach is not carried to an absurd point . At the same time it must be confessed there are too many members who sacrifice voluntarily , and too often for contemptible reasons , aportion of that

equality which is their due . There are some who think it wise to carry respect for rank and abilityto an extreme point . There is , perhaps , a magnate in the land who enrols himself a member of some Lodge . The majority of the members hail his advent amongst them with infinite pleasure .

They consider his enrolment a mark of respect for the principles they profess . They show him that respect and deference which his status in society would command anywhere . But they do not turn this respect and deference into ridicule by servilely assenting to all his

eccentric views and wishes . They claim the right to differ with him in matters of opinion , and , better still , they exercise this right . There are some , unfortunately , who think and act differently . There are those who fancy that any view propounded by a man of rank is better worth

adopting than that laid clown by his inferiors in the social scale . Goaleris paribus , perhaps , this assumption might not be very far from the truth . Assuming for a moment a perfect equality amongst the members in mental power , in virtue , in wealth , and therefore , in a certain sense , in the

power to do good , there appears to be no doubt that inequality in rank would give a superiority to him who occupies the higher position . But this , we have said , is not the reason which actuates all minds . The bare fact that this or that view has been adopted by My Lord Tom Noddy , suffices

to enlist the sympathies with him of plain , Mr . A . B . C , or X . Y . Z . These never think of inquiring into the justice or injustice of My Lord Tom Noddy ' s opinion . It emanates from him . It must be right , and they adopt it accordingly . These have half a mind , perhaps ,

at the first , to raise some reasonable objection , but the novelt y of supporting the views of some nobleman is too much for them . They yield with what grace they may , and

support , not for peace sake or some such wqrthy purpose , but for the single desire to ingratiate themselves in the favour of the great man , any proposal to which he may lend his oountenance , This is one form , of tljat toad y i sm , which

Toadies And Others

exerts so powerful an influence in the world . Nor is it only the man of quality who has a number of his fellows always ready to accept implicitly his dicta . The man of fashion and the man of wealth find plenty who will readily yield acquiescence in all their views and actions on all

occasions , not because they are of the same mind , but merely to ingratiate themselves in the good opinion of their patrons . It happens , of course , that many of these latter , while readily accepting the homage paid to their superior rank , wisdom , or wealth , have sense enough to

analyse and see through the true motives of their followers , and not unfreqnently give utterance to a few righteous sarcasms at their expense . But these have little effect . By long observance of toadyism the followers have gradually come to be insensible to every kind of

reproach direct or implied . They are as slow at perception , as incapable of estimating the real meaning of what is said , as the Scot is pronounced to be in appreciating a joke . These fulsome adulators of men in high places are a perfect pest to society , and especially in

Masonry , where freedom of thought and action , within certain limits , is the lot of every brother . It is no satisfaction to feel they would , and , in fact , do behave in the same fashion outside the walls of tho Lodge . There is no creed so calculated to excite in us a just respect for others

while we yet retain a proper degre 3 of respect for ourselves , as Masonry , and naturally enough we feel annoyed , nay even ashamed , perhaps , on finding that sundry of those who have joined our ranks have in no wise profited by the healthy teachings of the Craft . Masonry is capable of

embracing , within its fold , men of all religions , and of every shade of politics , but we require them to be free men , and the toady , who is never happy save when currying favour with the patron of his choice , is not a free man , but a contemptible fellow .

Then there is the flunkey , whom we are disposed to set down as a more vulgar , a more pronounced specimen of the genus toady . The toady is more often a man of refinement , with sense to conceal the weakness he has so successfully cultivated . Wo do not mean to imply that flunkeys

and toadies are severally representative of tbe same class of men in different grades . There are flunkeys in every station in life , and there are toadies . But the sycophancy of the latter assumes , we think , a less objectionable form . There is a vulgar meanness about the flunkey , which is less

often noticeable in the toady , who , as we have said , has sometimes refinement to conceal the motives of his conduct . The flunkey often grovels in the dust at the feet of his idol , without the slightest sense of shame . The toady sidles up to him and softly insinuates himself into his good graces .

The one follows like a cur , the other fawns like a spaniel . We do not venture to say there is , in the main , much difference between the two , but the one has seemingly a more respectable exterior . Another objectionable kind of individual of the same

species is the tufthunter , the man who , whatever his own gifts may be , is never so happy as when courting the favours of the great . Such men will descend to any pettiness in order to win a smile , and a " Thank you ! " from one moving in a higher sphere . He is ever their " very humble servant

to command , " to every one who has a handle to his name , or who is commonly reported to have had a grandfather . Such men not unfrequontly enact their part very successfully . Men of good birth were not always men of good sense .

They like flattery too , and when they find men of acknowledged parts paying homage to them , thoy are sometimes weak enough to fancy the tribute of respect is paid not to their rank , biit to their virtues , Hence they take kindl y