Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1841-12-01

THs GESrLEMAS.-rrus gentlemen arc to be
found in every grade Of society. The p'oughman
with his broad sun burnt hand, his homey dress, and
his open honest cOuntensnce, Oftner found TO be
possessedot the real attributes of gentleman, than
the eHervatcj man mner who Is much more
careful Of his gloves than OF his honor; " hose shirt
bosom must be as pure as the driven snow ard
who, If one curl OF this glossy wool were dis place
ed, would be thrown into strong cOEyulsIons. The
blood which flows in a rich and generous stream
through the heart Of Russian seri, is rs pure in
the eyes OF God the life current which eddles
round the puncoly fountain OF the highest Of
Englnd's noblemeN. IL ls a false, Liberal idea,
that, because a man cannot claim alliance with
the proud and wealthy, his name should be
striker from the list Of gentlemen. Which class,
from time mmemorIal, has shed honor and glory on
the Carh-the proud hristocrat or the poor peasant
Whose names are enrolled in the dlzz'Ing pages OF
hlstOry-iho gentleman Of fiI1n, or the gentleman
Of nature Whose voices are most heard, and to
most effect, throughout the wurld7 Why, those
men born in poverty, but clothed by truth with the
jowoed robe Of homo. Does the mere fact Of a
mans being able TO make a bow with scrupulous
eNactness, constitute him gentleman Shall the
children Of one mother be divided, because pOr
ton arc gifted with graccluness Of action and cox
somby Of demeansanor, while the others will not
stoop 10 cringe at il1tcry's ilwn, or waste the
hours given them by Heaven to improve, IN the
useless study Of the pucrIle forms ofiushionl On,
how glad II makes ones heart, to the "painted
lizards" trodden under foot by tbs gentlemen Of ma
ture! 10 SEQ them shrink away at the approach Of
honest men, fearing that they may be called upon TO
acknowledge their own inieriorty,
who is the gentleman lie who can boast Of
name, upon which dshonor has never thrown it's
leprOus poison. He who can lie down on his pill
| low at night, knowing that he has done his neigh
Dor injury; whose heart is never closed to pity,
and whose arm is always nerved TO redress tho in
/ iuries Of the oppressed Who smiles not at mis-
| fortune, and who mocks not the bfic,inn Of his
/ fellows. lie who looks upon all men equals,
and who fears not TO stand even IN the presence Of
/ a King, The man who Is guided by moral honor,
and not obliged 10 have laws made for his nJscr-
/ vance. lie who has true Democracy IN his
| soul-who desires and gives 70 every man the
enjoyment Of his opinions, provided those opin-
ions do not infringe tho DEGREES Of justice in
| its most rigid sense. Such a man, and only such
a one should dare lay claim 20 the proud appoli1
ton Of gentleman" matter whether he Is worth
thousands or Whether be is an everyday labOfcr.
Thank heaven, We are iua country where the field
Of honor and renown is open TO oil. The lowest
freeman in the land is in part the governor Of iti
proudest officer flo who iilis the Garth, walks
erect In the proud dignity Of natural right knowing
that he cannot be oppressed while he respects him
SELF There is no distinction Of classes here by go
vcrnment-ths blacksmith and the senaor-tht
shoemaker and the Prssidenl-all hail each othe
rs gentlemen"