Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-11-14

. ,,or,c., who was recently in Baltimore, has
piven the following dsquis'tion upon the '" upper
and lower classes of society, his mind having
been drawn to the subject, principally tro" "na'
oassed under his observation at t"e puphc meet
inr in Monument Square, the Saturday night pre-
ylous to the last election
:. Inner and LoDer Glasses I'VE hear quite
too much IN this country OF these nominal dis'iiic
t;ons. on which are founded jeal'usies dangerous
~ tho neace of society. The only substantial
n,h,i,v is those who work. for the idle II they IN
herit wealth, must soon become poor II 'hey u'
mt work. and those who work, II ever 81 poor
when they begin. are constantly progressing 20
wards riches. IF there be any such line OF dis-
,;nctop in the classes of society as wealth anu me
w,n, IF #. il is SO constantly passed 10y hose be-
tween whom it may be drawn, that alter all '.
distinction is ideal. rather than perma he"
man who stands most conspicuous o. ell:
to-day, may rank equally on the other to-mci
The substantial portion of society, 'nerr' .'
should be cautious how they permit un' '-'i''
ieaIousies between mutually dependant inter - =
to create dssentons, here they ought L. be uh'"'
An unfavorable result of this kind recently occur
red in New York. at the meeting tor appointing
Delegates to the Tariff Convention that VIII meet
there the 26th of October Ii was attempted 10
stir up the middilng classes, by representing.
that none but the aristocracy were To De appoint
ed Delegates, and the consequence was, that to
avoid giving cause for any such jeaonsie', The SER
vice of several men of high standing aud lniu-
ence we're Obliged to be dispensed WITH and the
Deleuatesr-were taken almost exclusively, from
the practical and working classes. These class
es will always have the control in all pubic as
sembIies in this country, whenever they cheese
to exert it, and the power is rightly and safely
entrusted to them. But they out not to be nlu-
cnced by the taunts of their enemies, to create
divisions between them and other portions OF so
ciety that exist only III name. A proper mixture
of practical and professional men. will Away be
f, found best for any undertaking, the one to col
| lcct information and facts, the other to present
them in the best Iurm.
Is il not the fault of those of US who work. ra-
Their than of those who do not, that something like
disgrace. is attached to humble and honest labor!
Were it not for our foolish apings OF the fOliies
and extravagancics of the rich, and the conse-
auence we ourselves attach to wealth by paying
homage to it. whether in the person OF the stupid
or the proHinate, its dominion would be much less
, despotic Moderate means might become indie
| pendent of wealth, for take away the subjects
and the monarch is nothing.
! Another thing, still more unreasonable, Is the
envy which the working classes are apt to feel to-
wards one of their number who acquires by his
own merit and industry. an intellectual elevation,
that enables him to do them credit as their repre-
sentative on any occasion. Who arc the hrSt to
sheer at such mans low origin, as 1t IS called:
! Is il not the very classes from which he springs,
and instead of taking pride in the Tact that he
is one of themselves, and has raised himself To
Hnstr IA
lent, are they not too apt to be foremost IN pull
ling him down?
We saw, the other day, what appeared 10 US
striking illustration Of the foregoing remarks.
On The evening preceding an election, Hnst-
ings as it is called was hedin Monument square.
Baltimore. Two upright and one horizontal
strips of board were nailed together upon the
steps of building overlooking the Square on
the huriz ontal board were placed four junk bottles,
with as MANY candles in them. This was the ro-
strum for the speakers. The Square below, was
filled with some wo-thousand or more, OF the pp-
puace. Of all classes. After several candidates
had addressed the assemblage, amid applause.
misses, insult, huzzas. backyard or cheers. ac-
cord,ng 10 the fancy Of the multitude. DR.. o.
Bnen quite spirited Young fellow presented
himself as candidate for the Legislature from
the morkug men, and made very handsome
speech, tull of professions for the lnereSs e the
middlng classes. He had been apprentice to
shoe maker. was of Irish extract, th0hgh born IN
B,ltimere, and without friend 70 help INN. BY
his own industry he had risen above the occupa-
ton he was bound to, acquired an educafion.pro-
cured medical degree. and was acknowledged
to be young man of talent, excellent character
and good promise. And yet this young man, in
the midst Of his modest allusion to his own hum
Die origin, and his desire to do something for the
honor of the class he was proud of belonging to,
was necessarily sneered at by that very descrip
ton of people Paddy Whack! Can you
cobble, Dr." "No heeI-taps. Dr." ''ShOrt
quarters "Can y:u cure the tooth ache:'-
:. How came you to run away from your master?"
aud the like slang aIlusiuus to his trade were ban
died about, not by arisfocrats, but BY the very
people who are the most camorous about getting
up working mems party, and being represented
by men who were not born with silver spoons in
their mouths.
We admired TIC spirit with which O'Brien f.
nalv silenced his prosecutors. eyes, fellow
citizens" said he. 81 acknowledge, with pride.
that was bound an apprentice toa cobler; but