American Dental Convention. [Volume: 2, Issue: 2, September, 1860, pp. 100-121]

PROCEEDINGS OF DENTAL SOCIETIES.

103

Is there no way of cutting them off? Must we always submit to such
associations? I would not be arrogant or exclusive. It may be desirable, it is certainly inevitable, that there should be a wide difference
in the standing and attainments of dentists. I would recognize the humblest degree of skill that can be honestly useful among any class of people.
But to be obliged to stand among impudent knaves and charlatans, with
nothing to distinguish us from them, is too humiliating to be endured.
" It is a legal maxim, that where there is a wrong there is a remedy.
Perhaps, in this case it is difficult to find the remedy, or to apply it when
found. Our condition is anomalous. We are standing on the body we
wish to move.
" Well, gentlemen, I have nothing new to recommend. The only remedy
for the evil which occurs to me, has been often proposed. It was particularly insisted upon in a letter to the New York State Dental Association, written by Dr. Westcott, last September. It is in substance this:"That a number of our most prominent dentists in this State (and the
same may be done in other States) should obtain a charter from the
Legislature for a Dental Institute, with power to hold property, establish
a library, provide lectures, etc., and grant diplomas to such persons as,
after due examination, should be found qualified to practice.
" This plan may not be without objections, but it seems to be the only
one that is now practicable; and I am sure it could be carried into effect
if the leading members of the profession would give it their support.
But precisely here is the difficulty. Many of our most eminent dentists
persistently stand aloof from all organizations for fear of being associated
with the class of persons of whom I have spoken.
"This is wrong. It is selfish. It is in their power, and it is their duty
to do something to purify and elevate the profession to which they belong.
In refusing to do this, they illustrate the virtue of those politicians who
profess to aim at 'the greatest good of the greatest number,' but with
whom the greatest number is always number one. Let these men step
down from their lofty pedestals and lend a helping hand to their laboring
brethren, and they will soon find themselves belonging to a profession
of which they will have no cause to be ashamed.
"As I promised to be short, I will not now pursue this subject further.
Much has been said of late about "the elevation of our profession," and
I have suggested one of the readiest means of doing something toward 4
that end. But, after all, we must not expect too much from this or any
other organized effort. I said the evils of which we complain are incidental to a new profession. We must be patient and wait for the operation of causes that will slowly but surely bring about a change.
"Some have looked to this Convention to be the great winnowing
machine that should separate the chaff from the wheat; but it never had
any such purpose or design. If there was any great danger of our being
overrun by unworthy persons, we could adopt some restrictions for our
own protection, but we have so far had no cause to complain.
"Permit me to say, in closing, that in reference to the elevation of our
profession there has, in my judgment, been too much of boasting and selfglorification among us. Some have been too forward in pressing the
claims of dentistry rather than waiting for them to be recognized by the
community. No person or profession ever attained a permanent standing
by talking big or putting on airs. The best way to secure respect is to