The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1858-08-20

1t is frequently remarked by card-players, IN
summing up the results of the game, that ''llonors
are easy" and the 'selfevdent truth of the asser-
ton, in such cases at least rarely admits Of dis
pute. As it may be with cards, so it appears to
be with Universities 'Honors there, also, care
easy,n and titles are bestowed by the heads of
those institutions, with much more freedom
and liberality than judgment and discrimina-
ton. 1t is no wonder, therefore, that titles of
dignity have lost good deal of their worth and
significance of late, from the random manner in
which they have been scattered abroad There
was time when certain strongly marked qualif-
cations, on the part of an individual, pointed him
out as deserving, from superior efficiency in his
specialize to be distinguished by appropriate hon
ors. If he possessed great military talent, his
deserts were acknowledged by advance in
grade, or by creating him Knight Commander,
or a Peer of the Realm. The excelled as learned
and eloquent clergyman, he received the honorary
degree of Doctor of Divinity; and if as jurist,
the distinction of Doctor of Laws. In modern
times, however, titles, orders, and dignities, are
frequently bestowed without any regard whatever
to ''the fitness of things" Thus, we find soldiers
complimented with the honorary degree of Doctor
of Laws, and lawyers elevated to the dignity of
Knighthood; some persons elected members of his
torical societies, whose knowledge of the annals
of their own country does not extend beyond the
picture books of PETER FARLEY, and others mem
bers of scientific associations, who are as ignorant
of the simplest scientific terms as they are of Egyp-
tan hieroglyphics. When the old Aztec Chieftains
distinguished by the titles of "Princes of I'M
erring Javelins," ''HackerS of Men" and 'Drink-
ers of Blood'-those titles aptly indicated their
vocation, and when the refined fatterers of the
African monarch of Monomotapa saluted him as
"The Great Thief" we have no doubt whatever
that his ebony majesty had proved himself emf
nently worthy of the distinction There is vein
of sense, and perhaps, also, spice of sarcasm in
the titles given or assumed by semi-barbarans
but what shall we say of those honors dealt out
so profusely and unfortunately by our Univer-
sites and other learned bodies? THOMAS DEKKER
one of the most Imaginative of the elder ORA
matists-was perfectly right in his opinion when
he declared of such ''honors'-
cpd not be baited with my fears of losing them.
To be their monstrous creature an hour together
'Tis better
To lie upon tn embroidery of the grass
Unheeded, than TO set the world at gaze;
While from the slippery height tumble down
To be talked of, and wondered at"
The facility with which degrees could be cheaply
purchased of the Scottish Universities. during the
closing half of the last century, gave point and d
rectness to the sarcastic remarks in which Dr. JOHN
son was accustomed to indulge with reference TO
those institutions. Here, however we fling such
honors about gratuitously. If they happen TO fall
f,o "a
wrong, it is of no consequence inasmuch as such
testimonials are growing into disrepute from the
manner of their distribution being so freouent-
ly open to ridicule. A case in point has re-
Gently occurred. The Trustees and Oyerseers of
Bowdoin College, Maine, thought proper, at their
annual meeting few weeks ago to confer the hon
orary degree of LID. upon Colonel JEFFERSON DA-
VS. Whether, in this instance the honor was appro
priately bestowed is not SO much question of mo-
ment as the ''tempest in a teapot that has grown
out of it. The Charleston Mercury is Indignant
that Colonel DAVIS Senator of the United States
and warm supporter of Southern principles should
have consented to accept the high dignity of "Doc-
tor of Laws from the Management of a College
which conferred at the same time similar dignity
upon Senator FEssENDEN, of Maine, whose anti
slavery opinions are well known. On the other
hand the Portland (Nlaine) 14dcertiser, denounces
the Trustees ofBowdoin College for bestowing upon
Colonel DAVIS this very distinguished mark of their
regard. The Mercury attributes the selection of the
latter gentleman to 'hs late Union speech at sea"
The Advertiser, the contrary, characterizes the
action of the Trustees Zone of those ovations of
'toadyism' which amount to personal indignity."
And here the advertiser makes Il curious revelation
concerning the way these things are sometimes
managed at -FOUR seats of learning" 1t appears
that Senator FEssENDEN was chosen by 'Bowdoin"
as proper person upon whom the honorary de-
gree OF LID. might be conferred. But when the
Management had reached this conclusion DIFF
hculty arose. Senator FEssENDEN was an Adolf
zionist 1t would never do to invest an Adolf
ZIONIST with so distinguished an honor, without
providing counterpoise by comforting similar
honor upon some other person of opposite princi-
pies. So Colonel DAVIS as being the most promi-
nent Southern man then sojourning at the North,
was brought forward to balance, by his pro-slavery
opinions, the Abolitionism of Senator FEssENDEN.
The whole affair appears to have been governed by
prudential considerations, and we perfectly agree
with the Advertiser in believing that, if Colonel
DAVIS "were aware Of the probable motives that
prompted his nomination he would be very much
disposed TO hurl it back with indignant con-
"tempt." r..#.a
We fully agree with the Patriofs suggestion of
yesterday, that newspaper wrangling' is of
small interest to the public and of profit to the