Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1858-12-03
ARfSTOCRAT,

same schooi OF politics and habits OF So
cial intercourse, we will entirely pass by.
But we may be allowed to say some
thing of the fourpence-h halfpenny and
fancied aristocracy Of New England which
is becoming SO general. and by which
many men are distinguishing themselves
at the present day.
This kind of aristocracy, y, noble. minded
men in this republican land know moth
ing Of by experience.
If the question be asked, how may il
be known ? we answer, that, it shows
itself in great variety of ways. In the
naughty look, the tone of voice, the spir-
it manifested, the general movements;
all, all develop the aristocratic feeling Of
the heaft.
The causes operating to produce this
aristocracy are many and raried.
Among them are wealth, superficial
attainments in knowledge. supposed per-
sonal beauty. family relation. social po.
sition, fancied personal consequence and
a little honor in the political world
There are men who swell enormously il
they are chosen to fill some little office in
town, even where there is no compensa-
ton.
This spirit will show itself particular
ly in desire to rule over others, whom
they imagine to be their inferiors-to
direct in affairs not within the limits OF
their province.
The aristocrat assumes the right to
dictate in private affairs. and is particu.
larly anxious to close up every avenue
that is not kept open more for his bene-
fit than for the promotion of any other
person.
When he cannot rule, he will ruin.
He usually acts upon Haman's princi
pie, that those must be executed who
will not bow.
When he cannot execute his plans with
dignity, he will resort to what common
people call meanness, understanding OF
course that what would be contemplate
meanness in others, would be an honor
able act in him on account of his fancied
popularity and eminent social position.
He does not hold that it is right 70,
any man, or any mans business to stand
between him and the upper round of The
ladder Of prosperity, honor and worldly
applause.
1t is a favorable circumstance, that
such men are very transparent, and you
can generally see through them as you
can through glass bottle.
They imagine themselves to be eleva-
ted so far above the people, that their
motives are not seen; but this is a mis-
take. They are always known by the spir-
it they manifest, as certain animal is
known by its odor.
Because few men in their weakness
idolize an aristocratic man, he has the
vanity to believe that sensible men
should do the same, and he will frequent
ly be offended if community think and
act independent of, and contrary to his
opinion, He is like a man upon church
steeple; be looks small TO everybody and
every body looks small to him.
There is way by which such man
could make himself independently rich ;
provided he found no difficulty in closing
the contract,-let him go to stare
state and sell himself for what he thinks
he is worth. and then buy himself back
for his real ralue.
However, he is by no means the worst
man in the world, or the most trouble.
some. He generally has some good quail
tiles, and performs many good acts, and
were it lot for his foolish aristocracy, he
might be essentially useful in the world
This class of men are not very numer-
Gus; hence. they are always in the minor
ity and are never able to carry into prac.
tce any Of their favorite plans. They
often feel that majority of talent and
enlightened public sentiment is on their
side, but it so happens tina. a majority
of the people are always against them!
When mingling with the people, "they
will speak great swelling words" and
tell what ought to be done, but they can
never direct you to anything that has
been accomplished, in which they acted
with the majority. All the improve
mcnts of the day are effected in spite Of
their influence. They talk Of men and
measures and estimate them by an imag.
mary standard; but in reality they live
in a world that is TO be
Nothing Of the present comes up to
their idea of right. Indeed, an aristo-
crate man cannot be satisfied with any
present home Increment! How often
they refer you to England, France and
other European nations as embracing
everything that is valuable in custom,
style, habits of living. pursuits in life
and various other things, peculiar to the