Bloomington herald. [volume] (Bloomington, I. T. [Iowa]) 1840-1849, 1844-01-19
DISTINCTIONS.

beings, met for mutual benefit upon the
broad ground of equality, those petty dis
tinc.ons founded on the possession Of
wealth. or other extraneous appendages Of
character, appear ridiculous and amusing.
In this country, where the boast of equal
l,y is on every lip. there are more dis,inc-
tons in society than in any other coun-
try in the world and there are gardens Of
aristocracy, in each Of which there is more
exclusiveness manifested than among the
nobility and gentry Of any kingdom in Eu-
rope. There are distinctions in society
that should always exist, on the perpetui-
.ty of which sound morality greatly de-
ponds. They consist in the various pha
ses exhibited by virtue and vice; and the
more vicious member of the compact be-
comes, broader and more decided should
the virtuous draw the line Of distinction.
which should never be passed except on
an GRAND of mercy by the latter, 20 reclaim
the former. This is distinction of char.
acter, depending upon the violation of
each, not OH any foriuitous circumstances,
and consequently is a legitimate dis,nc-
ton. But to see men building their struc-
ture of superiority upon the sandy and IN
certain foundation of riches, upon the
fame of some distinguished progenitor. or
upon the more foolish and ridiculous idea
tina. one employment is more genteel than
another, excites the smile Of mingled pity
and contemp. upon the lips Of the sensible.
Yet we daily meet with those who assume
superiority on these grounds, and j. is TO
this practice, arising from the error of the
mon sense. that we may ascribe nine-
tenths of the evils with which the harmo-
ny of society is disturbed.
Several years since, we made journey
to thriving village in neighboring coun-
ty, and while tarrying at the house of a
friend, saw practical illustration of the
above remarks. A social party had gath
cred on the occasion of the return Of an
other birthday of one of our friends
daughters, and it was really congregation
Of pretty and cheerful faces. During the
evening cotillion was proposed, and
couples Immediately formedupon the floor
From a retired corner came a neatly dres-
sed young man. with an intelligent coun>
tenance and pleasing address, and invited
a gay butterfly girl, who seemed disposed
TO fir. with every body. to join in the
dance. She scarcely designed recogni-
lion, and coldly refused. The young man
bit his lips, while the flush of offended
pride mounted to his cheek, and passing
to the opposite side of the room, found his
hand acceptable to a pretty, modest Miss.
and in moment more they were moving
in the dance.
Who was that young man?' asked
merchants clerk, addressing the coquelte
first mentioned.
He is an impudent puppy responded
the frail one, curling her pretty lip haugh-
lily : he is nothing but mechanic. and |
wonder at his presumption in asking me TO
Dance
1T was presumption indeed. and extra
ordinarily and shorkingly imperlite.' re-
sponded the clerk. tuckering in the rutiies
of his dickey, and throwing one leg over
the other in an important attitude. Il
wonder Mr.. - was not more select~in
choosing the members of this ere party.
But 80 il is society here is gittin' as bad
as Bos,ing and other induraceous places.
where gentlemen are continually per:ora-
ted with these ere internal mechanics -
You done right, Miss, awfully right in
scorning to accept such like company
so says Miss Ann-don't you Ann :!
said the indignan. coquette addressing her
hntterflv companiOn.
Yes. you did, Hetty-and I'll be ham
ped if I'd dance with one Of them are me.
chanics if never did. Blu. do look! as
sure as eggs, the imperlinen. fellow is
dancing with Judge BIS philippine.
think she ought to be ashamed of herself,
for SIGH disgrace in open company
.She's astonishingty foolish said the
come, Miss Het,y, will you dance!'
with all my heart said Miss Hetty,
aad they simultaneously sprahg 10 the
floor.
We listened to this colloquy with super
la,ive contempt for the u,ters, and having
formed an opinion Of their characters,
from the index just given. resolved 10 dis
cover that Of the young man. We ascer>
tanned tina, he was coach-maker, respec-
,ably connected, of industrious habits. pos
sessed of mind far above the ordinary
standard. and wi.hal well cultivated. lie
viewed society as man OF sense ought,
and presumed that equality should or
onoht 10 exist within the circle of a social
par,y. Courtesy prompted him to offer
ii, hand 10 the naughty coquett, and the
refusal wounded his fine feelings. But
thew were healed by the frank and courle>
Gus address of the daughter Of Judge B.,
and in truth, a motive more exalted than