Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1858-03-20
Rnat1ectabilitY.

There is no term in common use so much
abused, misused and misunderstood as the
term respectable We hear Of respectable
society; q respectable company respecta-
BILE citizen; q respectable neighborhood re-
spectacle newspapers, and a thousand other
respectable things, without receiving the
slightest idea Of what is meant by the term
respectable. The fact ia, it is term without
any limit TO its definition. 1t means one
thing in one circle, and very different thing
in another circle. In a low tipping cellar in
Orange street. where the inmates are STEPPED
in vice and bad rum, q greater insult cannot
be given than for one OF the party to say
sneeringly TO the other, You are not q re-
spectacle person. And to say You are no
gentleman, involves pair of black eyes and
bloody nose.
The laborng man who supports his family,
and is attentive TO all the duties which de-
volve upon him, striving to the utmost OF his
humble means to maintain an honorable
position in society by educating his children,
and clothing them neatly, is called respec-
table man. They who are pccunnrly above
him in the social scale pn.ronigingly call him
spectable-that is. he Is respectable 30
long ms he keeps within his humble sphere
aud is contented to live and strive through
life as an humble member Of society. For
our own part we regard such man as one
OF the most honorable aud respectable men in
the community. But there are those who
honest and honorable as he is, will not asso.
cia.e with him, and consider themselves
above him, not because they are better edu-
Gated or more refined, but simply because
they are able to buy mahogany aud stuffed
chairs and Brussels carpet.
The honest poor man struggling with pow
ri han -, ov.ly ha
vcissitudes Of life, who would lose right eye
or a right arm sooner than do dishonorable
action, who makes truth his guiding star, and
virtue and persona! hsuor his constant CON-
pauions, is not respectable man because
his means will not allow him to throw aside
seedy coat, or to mix in well.dressed society.
On the other hand, the man who can wear a
coat of the latest fashion, can decorate bis
person with jewels, and who always has
well filed purse. mo matter how he obtained
them, whether by fraud, dishono: and tricks,
OF the most odlous kiud,) is respectable, be-
cause he has all the outward signs Of respec-
liability, and ia received with the warmest
welcome into respectable society He may
be reeking with the consequences Of unre-
stricted licentousness, and his habits in this
respec. may be well.huown, yet respectable
doors are opened to him, fond mothers intro.
duce their daughters TO him, and young ladies
themselves seek his company, and will excuse
or pallate bis oilenses by saying, he is a
young man of spirit and when he is married
and settled down in life will outgrow all these
little peccadiloes.'
We intend TO pursue this subject further
| at another time. 1t is fruitful topic and its
discussion cannot fail to be interesting. The
great practical use, however, of discussion
of this description should not be lost sight
Of 1t is TO fix standard of respectabiiiy-
not such one ia the butterflies OF fashion
or the slaves Of wealth could approve Of
but standard that shall commend itself to
the substantial men of the community who
are found in all classes of society.