The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1848-01-01
Heroism. Of fsentiIity.

Nothing IS more remarkable or Characteristic
in the old, aristOcratic countries Of Europe,
than the desperate endeavOr of every class ex-
oept the very highest, to climb step higher
They catch desperately at those above them,
and kick as desperately at those below them,
who are engaged in the same effort. The labor
er IS looked down upon by the mechanic, the
mechanic by the petty shop-keeper, the shop
keeper by the merchant, and professional man,
and these in turn, however high and truly noble,
are considered interiors by the most stupid or
profigate sprig Of nobility, whom not all the
blood Of all the Howards' could elevate TO gen
temsn. The great rule seems TO be, be discon-
tent with such things as We have.
But il is passing strange on superficial
view, that such feelings should exist, and such
scenes be acted, in Republican America. But
on a superficial view only, can it be deemed
strange. For, as was once profoundly Observed,
"there is a great deal ofhuman nature in man."
Of course, in American, republican man, also.
This nature does not change by crossing salt
water, or even passing through several gene
rstOns. "Patria quis eKsul Sc quoque fugit"
was the sensible inquiry Of very sensible man
HOratius Flacus, 10 wit: Here, as in England,
people make or inherit fortunes, without either
virtue or sense to adorn them. A man makes
successful speculation in pork, -four or cotton,
and wakes up millionaire-able to buy any
thing, but knowledge and nobleness Of soul.
Such parvenu can distinguish himself from
the thousands as humble as he once was, only
by eKtravsgant expenditure, and a thorough
contempt for all who are not as rich ss himself.
Here is fellow in the good little city Of,
who used 10 be a gambling lOafer. He COM
menced his prosperity by cheating drunken
man out Of large sum, augmented it by a
lucky operation in bacon, and preserved IL
during the hard times Of $40 by breaking
his most solemn engagements. He is one Of
our sham aristoeracy, and looks down with pro-
found contempt on all low people. Miss Les
lie has given a most admirable illustration OF
this sort Of aristOcracy, in her story of Mr.,
smtl, one Of the cleverest sketches ever pub
lished on either side Of the Atlantic. What sud-
den dispersion Aunt Quimby would produce in q
circle Of fashionables in any of our large (or
small towns. And how dreadfully inconve.
aieni to all aspiring Parvenus, such E person,
with such memory, must be!
Bot our moral reflections have made us almost
forget the story we intended to tell, aud which
affords an example, wholly unique we believe
Of what may be fairly called, the Aeroism of tn,
feeling We have adverted to. An old gentleman
SUI residing in sister city, not far up the riv
er' hao mace fortune many years ago, by tail
sring-he is very wealthy, lives in fine style
and mas been so long engaged in sinking the tail
OF and with such success, that none but old citi
zens are aware of the degrading fact. Not lon.
ago. a man, who had gone off, in his debt, ow
ing him several hundred dollars, came bacl
rePentant, hunted up his old creditor Will
some oifilculty, and proposed settling. To hi
innhi'e surprise perhaps we may add grati6ca
nom old - disclaimed all knowledge of hin
Of The debt, denied his own identity, and threat
eneo 10 KICK him out Of the house for insulting
nm with the charge of having been a tailor
amer such sacrifice, we hope the old gentle
man claims TO belong to the upper ten thou
s@ha Will never be questioned. Verify, he is the
MODEST Roman among them all