Wisconsin tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1847-1854, 1849-10-19
"BUr HE Is A GENTLEMAN,


Not long since, we CHANGED to hear short
dialogue between d mother aud her daughter
who hHd arrived at the age Of sweet sixteen,
the proprety OF associating with certain
individual who not named, but whom the
mother seemed anxious that her daughter
should shun. From what we could learn
from the conversation, it seemed that the in
divIdual III question possessed prepossessing
exterior, dressed well, was familiar and affa-
BILE in his manners; but managed To keep up
his head IN what is generally termed good
society, IN consequence OF his trimming ways,
but who was, nevertheless, hearIless, de-
PRAYED wretch-H debauchee, aud gambler.
IL was after these qualities of the man had
been portrayed by the anxious mother to her
inexperienced daughter, that the artess girl
exclaimed, as though she had hit upon ga
son that more than outweighed all her moth
er's objectioRs-'But he is a gentleman
These words struck our mind forcibly, nor
will the honest simplicity with which they
were uttered be soon effaced. 'Bnt he is a
gentleman = What then! why these cannot
be vices-s gentleman would not practice any
thing that IS not proper, Is undoubtedly the
conclusion to which the uusophIsticated mind
IF the girl at once arrived. How much mis-
cry, how mtTch disappointment, how much
oyerw helmiDg sorrow aud regret, has this one
short sentence caused TO the world How
MANY heartless villains are row moveing
even in the first circles, and whose characters
are known to be infamous, and who yet hold
up their heads for no other reason than be-
cause they are GENTLEMES-that is to say ,
they possess the exterior Of gentlemen, a
comely person, nffabIe manners, aud good
suit of clothes. How few they are W no look
beyond these accomplishments in forming
their estimate OF character. Let a man be
ever so corrupt, let his private character be
what IT may, If he only possesses the little eX-
ternal accomplishments, it viii not answer
under the present constitution of society to
censure him fer he IS gentleman But let
n female wander from the path of virtue aud
propriety-yes. let her even be suspected,
though she may be ever so charming, this
grand salvo, But she is a lady, Will not be
sufficient to cover her failing. Such II certif-
icate will not sustain heri she must be con-
signed to disgrace and infamy. In what con-
sists the difference Why is it that a man
may practice with impunity vices which will
not be for moment tolerated in the other
sex That there is false standard of gen
rIIty set up in society there can be 10 doubt,
That good old maxim of Popes that worth
makes the man. has gone out of vogue, at
least with a very large portion of society
Or else different standard of tcorih has been
set up. which IS TO measure mau's worth
by the quality of the cloth he wears, or the
grace with which be bows.
Thus it Is no uncommon thing to see man
who can drink, gamble, swear, and commit
any species of vice. aud still be gentleman.
1t these men could BE- stripped OF their false
plunage, If their resl characters could be ex-
hbted in their naked dplormty to the art-
less youth, there would be little danger TO BE-
apprehended from them. But the cloak un-
der which their business is disguised renders
them douby dang srOus associates for youth
for IL enables them. first to gain confidence
bv sheir easier address. than tn lure them to
ruin Every parent who has the good of has
offspring at heart, should not hesitate TO e1-