The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1859-09-14
From the Richmond (Va.l Dispatch, Dio.
American Love of Titles.

desire TO think well of us and our institu.
tions, il is the inordinate fondness Tor titles
which exists among nation whose pride
il ought 10 be that il did not descend from a
titled claes. tha! ii has prohibited by law or
ders and :itles of nobility, and that it has
harm 10 look sometimes at our faults and
foibes. as well as our superlative virtues,
and he is no friend who fails 10 make
known 10 friend his errors, or TO prevent
him from making himself ridiculous.
We hold+that no one has more just reason
for pride than the man who, originally
poor, humble, and unaided by powerful
friends of influence, has made himself one
OF the pillars of the State, one of the chle
members of the learned professions, or a
leader in any prominent department of hu
man enterprise. Great Britain, France, and
even the despotic countries of the Cont
nent, can show such men, and they are
reverenced there among kings and courliers
they are often "the power behind the throne
that is greater than the throne;" some.
times they control cabinets, lead armies
and decide the destines Of empires. In
this country such cases are more numerous,
for here there is fair field for each and all
and list of the names who have risen in
the United States, from the humbest origin
10 the high places of the land, would fill a
volume. Our country itself was settled
mairly by the middle classes, and agricul.
tural and mechanical laborers of Great Brit.
ain. They were men who valued pitch,
muscle and manhood qualities which are
more highly appreciated in a new country
than gentle blood and ancestral renown.-
By the exercise of these qualities the Re-
public has become, in the lifetime OF a man
one Of The great powers of the earth, and it
would have moral grandeur equal 10 It's
physical, but for universal hankering after
the Aeshpois Of aristocracy which consoles
the most envious and sardonlc of its enc
mics.
If, in this tide. .iorbidding nation, this peo-
pie which processes 10 despise the ancient
nobility of Europe, there could be published
book containing all the titles applied TO-,
or appropriated by American citizens, a
stranger would come TO the conclusion that
the whole population is composed of Gen.
erals, Colonels, Majors, Captains, Honora-
bles, Commodores, Doctors. Proiessers and
Esquires. The plain title of "Afinister" has
become a mark of distinction. Who is
willing to be only "Minister2' Who will
consent 10 serve as private in this Repub-
lican army? When these titles, so various
and innumerable, are not mere ornamental
handles 10 ordinary names, when they in
dicate superior knowledge or merit, it is
right all proper that they spould be bestow-
ed. But, as general thing, the very re-
verse is the case and handles of silver and
gold are stuck on 10 earthen jugs with The
evident conviction that by this new kind of
alchemy the jug will become Of the same
precious metal as the handle. Military ii.
ties, belonging to profession OF which is
less known in this country than any other,
are more common than all the rest combin.
ed.
Every member of Congress, Sickles in
cluded, is Honorable, and every private
citizen an Esquire. Hitherto the Navy, be,
ing a vocation of the sea, has been able tc
keep its titles from the hard earned honors
Of our gallant naval defenders, who get lit
tie else but honor and hard knocks in the
way of compensation, are no longer sacre d
has converted its vessels into a squadron
and invested one OF their Captains with the
title of ''Commodore." They intend 10 dc
things quite man.of war fashion, and very
likely will altogether eclipse the regular
service in seamanship and fighting quail
ties in a very short time. In other depart
ments, we iiId even more ridiculous exam
plies of affection and imposture. Nothing is
more common than 10 see the honored
name of "Professor," name which has q
technical Specification, and belongs exclu'
sivey to public teacher of the sciences in
a University or College, assumed by every
mountebank and humbug, by balloonists
phreuologsts, rope dancers, and we have
eve heard of Professor of Corns."
The colleges and universities OF the coun
try have some reason 20 complain OF such
an appropriation and application of thei
peculiar property; but we think it can be
shown that it is, after all, only retributive
justice, and that they, who have conferred
honors with SO little discrimination, ough
not 10 murmur when they are despoiled o
own badges of distinction. How few are
the colleges in America in which degree
confers any evidence of merit. In the be
stowment Of honors upon outsiders, especi
ally the title of D. D., the colleges in the
country have done more TO multiply unne
cessarv titles, and have committed greater
injustice, than all the impositors and swim
dlers in the land. In iormer times, the
time, the title of "Doc;or OF Divinity
meant something, and it was rare and us
eliminating bestowed. How is 1t now =
Let every man look around him, ana oe'
eide if this title is always an evidence OF
extraordinary theological learning nay, II
il is not often gwen 10 the merest scioilstf
and smatterers in theology, while (ano
here is the crying injustice of this reckless
d;s,r;bution of clerical honors,) men really
| ore passed by. and thus lowered