Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1840-05-19
VOLUME VII
COMMUNICATION.


That wrens make prey where eagles cannot
perch,
Since every JACK became gentleman,
There's many GENTLE PERSON made Jack.
There was time when things, as
well as men, were called by their right
names: but, like most good things, that
time has passed away. AS the world
has advanced men have become arti-
fetal in speaking, acting, thinking, and
writing-that is, they refuse to follow
nature, as their guide. Selfinterest is
at the foundation of almost every prin-
ciple, and every opinion; and, conse-
quently, losing sight of every thing
else one man will impose upon the feel
ings, oppose the interest, and NEEDLE
with the affairs ofanother, and yet pre-
sumo that he is entitled to the name
and rank which every gentleman
should hold in society. OF course
l am now illustrating a general rule to
which there are some honorable ex-
ceptions. Now | believe that the term
gentleman has particular application,
and he, who deserves the appellation
must possess particular traits of char
acter. The very term implies that
man, to be a gentleman, must be gem
tie, afable, polite, unofending, careful
Of other mems rights, and in a word,
honest in his dealings with the world.
If, however, we compare the present
age with the age of chivalry, when
mankind distinguished themselves by
their native simplicity, and were in ev-
cry respect gentlemen, we find that
the name has almost lost its meaning.
NO1C, man may insult and SANDER his
neighbour, without cause, intrude upon
his rights and endeavor to depreciate
his standing in society; and yet he is
considered by the world, gentleman,
though the one whom he has thus in
jured, may be high minded, and in
dependent sort of a fellow, who attends
to his own business, and NEEDLES not
with that of other men, has respect for
all, treats them politely, scorns a base
action, and who rather than SANDER
another, would endure insult and re-
proach. But the aggressor, in this
instance, has no more claim to the title
of gentleman, than a thief has to that of
an honest man. think il is full time
that we 90 back TO the simplicity of an
cient days and learn to call men and
things by their right names.
l feel assured that, if Dean
Swift could arise from the dead and
hear the abuse of the language, which
it was his greatest care to preserve pure
and simple, he would weep,ifhe could
over our want of respect for the noble
efforts of himself and other Literary
men, in behalf Of good cause. Let
us then endeavour to preserve the pu-
rity and force of our Language, by
guarding against a misapplication OF
terms. See that man of decent APP
pearance, polished manners, smooth
countenance, compressed lips, spark
ling eye, and hurried gate. He is a
gentleman, ands why! Surely not be-
cause he has wealth, nor because he
is descended from a noble family, nor
because he is one ofthose who are en-
gagged in some popular profession: but
because he is never seen moving about
from crowd to crowd, prying into the
affairs of other men; he IS never founc
ushering himself into company where
he is not needed;he is never heard fin
ding fault with men, with whom he
has had no dealings, abusing their veal
ness, and endeavoring to debase then
in the opinion of the world; he doe:
not pine after the reputation, the char
acter or the fortune Of another; and bt
never insults another without provoca
ton. Such a man only ought to b.
considered a gentleman, if indeet
there is anything in name. But sucl
men are so scarce, that fear we SHOULD
be obliged, like DiOgenes of old, t
: take light to find one. w.