The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1846-02-28
FACTS FOR THE PEopLE.


liam Leggett. 1t is u commentary up
on thar clause Of the Constitution of
the United States, which declares that
"no Stale shall grant titles of nobility"
"lt is not merely titles of nobility ,as
they are defined in England, or France,
or Germany. or SPAN, that are prohib-
tied by the Constitution, but titles of
nobility in the broad and comprehen-
sive import Of the term. Now what
is it that constitutes nobility? Not
noble descent. In this all nations, and
all writers are agreed. Not the. pos
session of large domains. Not here
ditable honors. Not exercise of high
political authority. Not worth, nor
wealth, nor strength, nor beauty. II
is neither Of these things. BY the unan-
imous testimony of those who have
gathered the true meaning of the word,
from the various senses in which ii has
been used, it signifies quality, which
bv virtue of some document put forth
by'due authority, places the subject of
it in the ehjoymentof civil rights deni-
ed to the mass Of community. A noble
is defined by English writers, to mean
ga person who has privilege which
raises him above commoner or peas
ant" On the continent, the word no.
Bile, is less restricted, than in England.
The French Academy thus defines the
word. "Ohe who, by right of birth,
or by patent from the prince, makes
part of distinguished class in the
State" In every part of Europe, it is
cioil privilege which constitutes the no.
bleman; and since the progress of in
telligence has stripped many of this or
der of the immunities they once enjoy
ed, the title of nobility, in numerous in
stances, is understood to be one of Gus
tom and Of courtesy only, possessing
no validity, because comforting no dis
tinctlon. Now what is the quality
which the charter confers upon the
citizens who can obtain i. by their mer-
its, their opportunities, or their bribes? {?
Ciuil privilege -gainful, envable civil
privilege. Privilege denied to their
unchartered brethren. Privilege more
valuable far than the immunites of a
German Baron, a F French Duke, a Span
ish Grandee, or an Italian Prince. Lay
ing political authority aside, there is
not in all Europe, (the assertion is de-
liberately made, nobleman among
them all, that possesses peculiar privl-
eges as much worth having, as the spe-
cial civil powers of the Bank Directors
of America. Even the banking system
of Europe is infinitely more democrat
ic than our own. Among the moneyed
men of the old world, whatso oever H.
cense one has, all have; whatever re-
striction falls on one, falls on all. But
how is it with us9 Few of our char
ter-holders have reflected much upon
the nature Of the privileges they enjoy,
and fewer still have felt compunctlon
at the thought that what they are thus
enjoying, has been denied to the rest of
the community. But known to them
or not, it is nevertheless true. The
want of consciousness Of their advan-
tage relieves them from the charge of
deliberate exclusiveness. Still the fact
is not less fact, that the chartered
Bankers OF America, enjoy favors with
out paralel,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 Amer.
lean Bank Director, is to exercise a
prerogative, vast at all times, but at this
moment almost princely. 1t is to weld
a power, that if it pleases, may subdue
the proud to the most Illuminating sac
rifices, buy over by timely largesses,
the venal and the weak. and terrify into
submission, the gentle and the good
1t is to hold the purse strings of bound |
less commerce, with an exclusive right
to sell, drop by drop, the natural nutri-
nent of trade. To be an American
nobleman without the publicity and the
disadvantages Of the visible decoration.
Let me hear the answer to this alega-
ion. 1t will. perhaps, be said that a
charter is not title Of nobility, because
t does not come by right of birth, or
~ patent from the prince. Was this
he meaning of the Constitution, when
t solemnly decreed that no State shall
,rant a tile of nobility? Most surely
lot. 1t contemplated noble privileges
rom the legislative power. 1t may be
lrged that a Bank charter is not title
f nobility, because it only grants ex-
lusive powers, and not distinctive ap-
'ellation. A State, we shall be graveiyI
old, may grant nobility, but not titles
f nobility. 1t may, for due consider
tlons, lay in the lap of some great fam
y the monopoly Of grain, the reggie OF
nftata r,, &ahooo~ Al ~.-lr /