The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1854-06-16
ARISTOCRACI,

OF triumph and JOY.
ARISTOCRACI.
In most of the countries of the Old world,
the social lines are as distinctly marked and
"a inevitable as the laws of the land. The
various gradations of rank, from the peasan'
try to the crown, appear in regular strata
and each keeps its position as inevitably ana
immovably as layer of solid rock. lhere
are. however some alternating features IN
this unjust, unwise and unequal condition OF
society. The social position of each man be-
ing fixed and recognized, the upper classes
can afford to dispense with hauteur and stiff
ness in their intercourse With those below
them. Moreover, it is but just to say, that
under no government is genius more admir-
ed and respected than under q monarchy or
an aristocracy. This divine spark, glowing
in the breast of q peasant, attracts more reve'
renee than the brightest decoration that giit-
tiers upon the bosom of an earl Welded as
the old world is to rank, it is not so besotted
as to dispute the Almighty's own patent Oh
nobility. In the despotism of Russiain the an
eient and stiff necked aristocracy OF Germa-
ny, and among the proud nobility OF britaln'
hand of encouragement and friendship Is
held out to the humblest man whom God has
endowed with great intellectual powers ; he
Is welcomed as an honored friend to castles
and palaces and if he have capacity for 60
verning an empire, the peasant may become
as he has many times been, the virtual 60
vernon of the proudest State of Europe.
The aristocracy however, even of Europe,
the growth of ages of ignorance and barba
rism, is unjust and absurd enough. 1t an
enlightened nation, in this period OF the
world, were to establish new institutions 1t
would act precisely as the trainers OF our
own government did, and refuse to recognize
any social inequality. There is certainly no
foundation, in nature or reason, for arlstocra-
tic distinctions. Are not all men OF the same
blood. and descended from the same common
stock. Why elevate one above another!-
Why pronounce this man noble and that man
vile? In the view of common sense, 1t Is
only superior virtue, or combination OF
great virtue and talent which can Justly ex-
ait q man over his fellows. But the arlsto-
cracies of the old world were founded upon
superior physical violence, ferocity and cum
nine-upon qualities which the brute pos
sesses, in higher degree, than man.
What shall we say, hewever, of aristocra-
CIV in America? For, inconsistent as it is
with our republican theory, and nonsensical
% such parUeaue professions appear in the
ewes of an aristocracy like that of Europe
whose defects are mantled over by the ivy of
age, we have, in the United States, our Dukes,
whose pedigree is fortunate if it can trace
mixtures, to the sixteenth cousin of the youn-
ger son of some impoverished noble of the
British isles-Dukes whose entire rent roll
would scarcely furnish pin money for the
wife of the Duke of Devonshires steward.
Lords we have, without manors or manners;
and Baronets, who possess every knightly
qualification except merit, chivalry and com
mon sense In addition to these illustrious
and venerable mobiles, we have an aristocracy
Of wealth. whose nabobs are only equalled in
their magnificent ambition by the aspiring
grandees of Souloque's sable court. As none
ofthese classes enjoy the advantages possess.
ed in Europe, of recognized superiority
AS indeed no one acknowledges their superb
GRITTY but themselves-they are forced to
hedge themselves in with lofty airs and ex-
elusive customs, so as to keep the profane
vulgar at proper distance, and impress up
on them wholesome sense of their own in
feriority. The multitudnous vulgar, howev-
er, refuse, in the most obstinate manner, to
accept the position assigned them. They do
not acknowledge their inferiority, but Oh the
contrary, despise as idiots and detest as enc
mics OF their race, the men who, not conten4
with the blessings of wealth and power which
Heaven has rained into their laps, convert
'hose blessings into fountains of social bit
terness and discord
Whist there must be divisions in soc;etv
30 tong as men differ in moral worth educa.
ton. refinement and tastes, divisions basoa
upon wealth or descent, are unreasonable and
UNJUST, and, in nation of plebeians. like
"urs' ~ ridiculous as wicked. 1t may we'll
be doubted whether if Paul the tent maker
"r reter the fisherman, could rise from the
"eao ana visit our principal cities, they could
bs any possibility be admitted into :" the best
soeiety We question whether if any of the
Twelve apostles, clad in the humble garments
. Oh ais calling, were to apply for admission to
one OF the fashionable churches of modern
times, The sexton would not shut the door in
his face.
THE CRYSTAL PALACE Ar syDEN
HAM -f-.t--