Virginia free press & farmers' repository. [volume] (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1827-1832, 1831-11-24

Mr.. N. r. hALrrT, editor q the IrovileDae
Am~riess, Who recently n Halsinurr -
given the follow ing disquisil,ou upou Dc ..upurr
and lover eissses" Of society, his missd having
Teen drawn IN the subject p,incipally from What
lassed usr'cr his observation at the psblic m-~t-
ing IN Monument Square, the Saturday night pre-
Nious to Me Last election.
UPPER AND LOWER CLASSES"
We hear quite too much in this coun.
try Of these nominal distinctions, on
which are founded jealousies dangerous
10 the peace Of society. The only sub
stanaial nobility. is those who work !;
for the idle, If they inherit wealth,
must coon became poor if they do not
work and these who work, il ever 40
poor when they begin, are constantly
progressing towards riches. II there
be any such line Of distinction in the
classes Of society. a. wealth and the
want of il. il is SO constantly passed
by those between whom il may be
drawn. that after all, the distinction
Is ideal, rather than permanent The
man who stands most conspicuous on
either side to-day, may rank equally
on the other to. morrow.
The substantial portion Of society,
therefore, should be cautious how they
permit unfounded jealousies between
mutually dependant interests, to ere.
ate dissentions where there ought to
be union. An uniasorsble result Of
this kind recently occurred in New
York, at the meeting for appointing
Delegates to the Tariff Convention that
met there on the Goth of October.
IL was attempted to stir up the mid.
ding classes, BY representing that
none but the aristocraey were to be ap-
pointed delegates and the conse-
9uence was, that to avoid giving cause
for any such jealousies, the service of
several men Of high standing and inHu-
cnce were obliged to be dispensed
with, and the delegates were taken al
most exclusively from the practical
and working classes. These classes
will always have tho control in all pub
lie assemblies in this country, whene-
yer they choose to exert it; and the
power is rightly and safely entrusted
to them. But they ought not to be in
huenced by the taunts Of their enc
mics, to create divisions between them
and other portions Of society that exist
only in name. A proper mixture Of
practical and professional men, will al
ways be found best for any undertak-
ing. the one to collect information and
facts, the other to present them in the
best form.
Is it not the fault of those Of us who
work, rather than Of those who do not,
that something like disgrace is attach
ed to humble and honest labors Were
u not for our foolish apings Of the fol-
lies and extravagsncies Of the rich, and
the consequence we ourselves attach to
wealth BY paying homage to it, whether
IN the person Of the stupid or the pro-
tiigate, ats dominion would be much
less despotic. Moderate means might
become independent Of wealth, for take
away the subjects and the monarch is
nothing.
Another thing, still more unreason-
able, is the envy which the working
classes are apt to feel towards one Of
their number who acquires, by his own
merit and industry, an intellectual ell
ovation, that enables him to do them
credit as their representative on any
occasion. Who are the first to sheer
at such a mans low origin, as it is call
ed Is il not the very classes from
which he springs, and instead Of tax
ing pride in the fact that no 10 one
OF themselves, and has raised himself
to some distinction by his own indus
try and talent, are they not too apt to
be foremost in pulling him down.
We saw, the other day, what ap.
Pearsd To Us \ striking illustration Of
the foregoing remarks.
On the evening preceding an elee-
fion. q Hastings as it is called, was
held in Monument Square, Baltimore.
Two upright aud ono horizontal strips
OF board were nailed together upon the
steps Of building overlooking the
Square On the horizontal board were
placed four junk bottles, with as many
candles in them. This was the ros
trum for the speakers. The SQUARE
below was filled with some two thou-
sand or more of the popuIaee, Of all
classes. After several candidates had
addressed the assembIage, amid an
planse, Kisses, insult, huzzas, black.
guard, or cheers. according 10 the fan
cy OF the multitude, a DIR. O'Brien
tquie . spirited young fellow pre-.
sented himself as a candidate for the
Legislature from the working men, and
made q very handsome speech, full Of
professions for the interests Of the mid
ding classes. lie had been appren.
tiee TO a shoe maker. vas Of Irish ex-
tract, though born in Baltimore, and
without friend to help him. by his
own industry, he bad risen above the
occupation he was bound to. acquired
az education, procured q medical de-
gree, aud was acknowledged to be
young man Of talent, excellent charae.
ter and Oood nromtsa Al -, 49,.