The Placer herald., 1859-11-19
Men and Manners in California.

we nhh the Iollowlng IN The Napa he'
porter: There is in California practical
freedom of speech and action, to be found
nowhere in the Atlantic States. Men breathe
as freely and act as freely, caring for no look
ers-on. The reason is because society here
has no leaders, and will have none. The
advantitious advantages of wealth, family,
or profession, which at home enable their
possessols 10 take the lead Of tie masses,
are here held at a discount which startles
a new conner. No man or class of men has
the power here to set up or keep up any
preconceived standard of right or wrong, of
taste or etiquette. The Californian takes
wild pleasure in kicking down the fash
ioned guide boards, rs to make sure of
laying out track for himself Wealthy
men have their toad -eating here as well as
elsewhere, but the largest possessions com
mand no real respect among the masses of
the people. They look upon riches as the
very accident of accidents, as they are in
this part cf the world, and decline paying
reverence to the man of money today,
knowing that he may be "dead broke" to-
morrow, and the raggedes, fellow in the
crowd come to play the millionaire in his
place. Each one hopes to act the part in
his turn bu, looks upoa the requirement of
wealth, after all, as only an accidental shift
ing of the colors in the Kaleidoscope of ex
istence. The California Lazarus, if changed
into Dives tomorrow, would know better
than to put on airs of superioritv-nness
amid small circle of like fortunate fellows.
and even then the assumption of "high life"
would be tacitly understood on all hands.
as only a sham and piece of masquerad
ing, which all could afford, but none took
any pride in. Our Dives could probably
zarus by asking them to take a drink" and
acting the part of hearty hale fellow. He
would understand his position in society ex-
actly, and very seldom venture an attempt
to play the leader, or coerce the opinions or
actions of those about him, knowing that he
would only be laughed at for his pains.
Mankind at the East have reverence for
wealth which is here almost wholly unknown.
Californian would hardly waste a second
look, save in the way of business if Crpsns
himself were to appear among rs. He loves
money, for the sake of what it will buy, but
never thinks of it as a means OF winning
needed thnn those of fortune A man who
has the good luck to be born at all, is here
just as good as one in whose veins flow 'all
the blood of all the Howards." The son of
the Great Mogul or a descen, ant in direct
line from julius Cesar, would enjoy no higher
consideration than Paddy Mcclure, fresh
from Connanght. He would find himself
compelled to "paddle his own canoe" and
pay for his own whskev. His merits. if he
had any, would be ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
for his ancestors, lie had better follow their
example, and "dry up" than to make any
claims on their account.
All creeds here meet upon the same level,
and no man can obtain influence or public
confidence by religious professionalism what
he may. Californians, in general, care for
none of them. except as matters Of curious
speculation. Every man questions the ora
cles for himself, taking nobody's say SO for
an answer In the old States-'at home" "
as we sav--a clergyman has a large amount
of merely personal influence, and many
perhaps the majority Of his hearers-will
accept his teaching, without a question. A
garb of reverence surrounds him, as the ivy
lends dignity and solemnity TO some sacred
edihce--but here, the preacher, is mere
man, like other men, subject to the same
criticisms, and liable to the same conradc-
tions. If he proves to be truly good man,
people will speak well of his sincerity but
few will think for moment Of blindIy fol-
lowing his guidance. The popular, though
unuttered sentiment is-"it is his business
to preach; it isnaine to act and think just
as | please" Hence, in California, the in
huence of cergymen as a class is yet te
be felt to any general or great extent.