The Kalida venture. [volume] (Kalida, Ohio) 1841-1865, 1846-02-26
AMERICAN BANK NOBILITY.

AMERICAN BANK NOBILITY.
We take the following able and eloquent
extract, from the writings of William Leg
get. 1t is commentary upon that clause ol
the Constitution of the United States which
declares that "no State shall grant titles o1
nobility"
1t is not merely titles of nobility, as they
are defined in England, or France, or Ger
many, or Spain, that are prohibited by the
Constitution, but titles of nobility in the
broad and comprehensive import of the term.
Now what is it that constitutes nobility?
Not noble descent. In this all nations, and
ali writer's are agreed. Not the possession
of large domains. Not hereditable honors.
Not the exercise of high political authority
Not worth, nor wealth, nor strength, mol
beauty. 1t is neither of these things. BY
the unanimous testimony of those who have
gathered the true meaning of the word, from
the various senses in which it has been
used, it signifies quality, which by virtue
of some document put forth by due authority
places the subject of it in the enjoyment Of
civil rights denied to the mass of community
A noble is defined by English writer's, 10
mean ga person who has privilege which
raises him above commoner or peasant
On the continent, the word noble, is less
restricted, than in England. The French
Academy thus defines the word. Gone
who, by right of birth, or by patent from the
prince, makes part of distinguished class
in the State" In every part of Europe, ii
is cipI pripileges which constitutes the
nobleman; and since the progress of intelI-
gence has stripped many of this order of the
immunties they once enjoyed, the title of
nobility, in numerous instances, is under
stood to be one Of custom and of courtesy
only, possessing no validity, because con-
ferring no distinction. Now what is the
quality which charter confers upon the citi-
zens who can obtain it by their merits, their
opportunities, or their brides? Cipi privi-
lege-gainful, enviable civil privilege. Pri-
vlege denied to their unchartered brethren.
Privilege more valuable far than the immuni-
ties of German Baron, French Duke, a
Spanish Grandee, or an Italian Prince
Laying political authority aside, there is not
in oil Europe, (the assertion is deliberately
made,) a nobleman among them all, that pos
sessess peculiar privileges as much worth hav
ing, as the special civil powers of the Bank Di-
rectons of America. Even the banking system
of Europe is infinitely more democratic than
our own Among the moneyed men of the
old world, whatsoever license one has, all
have; whatever restriction falls on one, falls
on all. But how is it with us? Few of our
charter-hoiders have reflected much upon
the nature of the privileges they enjoy, and
fewer still have felt compunction at the
thought that what they are thus enjoying,
has been denied to the rest of the communi-
ty. But known to them OF not, it is never
theless true. The want of consciousness
of their advantage relieves them from the
charge of deliberate exclusveness. Still
the fact is not less fact, that the chartered
Bankers of America, enjoy favors without a
parallel, in nobility.ridden Europe. To be
an American Bank Director, is to be raised
high above the heads of the unchartered
millions. To be an American Bank Direc-
tor, is to exercise a prerogative, vast at all
times, but at this moment almost prlncely.
1t is 10 WELD power, that if it pleases, may
subdue the proud 10 the most humliating
sacrifices, buy over by timely largesses, the
venal and the weak, and terrify into subms-
sion, the gentle and the good. 1t is to hold
the purse strings of boundess commerce,
with an exclusive right to sell, drop by drop,
the natural nutriment of trade. To be an
American nobleman without the publicity
and the disadvantages of the visible decora-
ton. Let me hear the answer to this alleg-
alton. 1t will, perhaps, be said that charter
is not title of nobility, because it does not
come by right of birth, Or by patent from the
prince. Was this the meaning of the Con-
stitution, when it solemnly decreed that no
State shall grant title Of nobility Most
surely not. 1t contemplated noble privileges
from the Legislative power. 1t may be urged
that Bank charter is moi a title Of nobility,
because it only granite, exclusive powers,