New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1860-02-24
ANOTHER MARTYR QUALIFIED.

Among our fellow men across the ocean it is con-
sidered great honor and dignity for some distin
guisEed magnate to smite with his sword officially
and complimentary the shoulder Of worthy sub
ject. and bid him "rise up Sir'' John Something, a
qualified and accredited member Of the order Of
knighthood. It was supposed that customs of
this description appertaned exclusively to nations
among which the distinctions of nobility are in
vogue and were not countenanced in lands where
republican institutions maintain. But this Is an
error, for we find that the people of the United
States are yielding to snobbish desire for titled
honors, and have instituted order of distinction
peculiarly American, but resembling in some re-
spects the comforting Of Knighthood as practised
by European nations.
It may be entitled E" The Order of st. Charles,
the Martyr" and is much sought after by emincnt
politicians Of the Northern part of the country. 1t
was Instituted two or three years ago-the first
honored recipient Of its gains and dgnities being
Sir Charles Sumner, of Massachusetts, whose mem
ory will be blessed in that land forever. The
formula of comforting the order is for dlstin-
guished Southern gentleman, holding the high Of
flee Of Congressman, to lay cane upon the appH-'
cants back, and thereafter to say to him, in a
dignfed manner, 7" Rise up, Sir John Something
you can-a worthy member of the Order OF St.
Charles, the Martyr
There is no wonder that this order is highly
priced and sought for, for its gains and honors
are immense. No sooner is it received than the
newly qualified Knight of the Cane finds himself
in the front rank Of valued and eminent citizens
Throughout the North, the object of alteration
among the women, of unboundcd popularity
among the men his journeys through the coun-
try are continued ovations, and he progresses like
prince through continued series Of brilliant re-
ceptions. And all is conferred by the magic
| touch of Southern gentleman's cane! Why, the
stroke Of knightly and knighting sword is the emp
| tiest of honors compared with this! We firmly
believe that ere long the Northern Congressman
will be running after Southerners and begging to
be caned as Mark Meddle in London Assurance y
begs to be kicked.
The latest qualified member of the order is Sir
John Hickman, of Pennsylvania, made great by a
touch of the walking switch of 81. Edmundson, of
Virginia. His career of honor has already COM
menced in earnest and will rival that Of Sir Charles
Sumner. Shortly after the glorious and precious
application of the wand of immortal renown, he
started on a tour in Pennsylvania to reap the re-
suits, and unless he has q wellbalanced intellect
his head must be turned-he must be drunk with
his own renown ere this. Committees waited on
him as he passed along in state, and at his town OF
Westehester, Pennsylvania, an immense crowd was
in readiness to receive its honored son, and he was
addressed in splendidly and ornatcly eulogistc
Grafton. Sir John replied, as the Black Republican
papers of that k report it, '' in brief but elo-
quent speech,' and then received the congratula-
tions of his friends and the multitude the sue
cessfnl manner in which he had been caned, and
| the quiet and impassive style in which he com
ported himself during that ceremony. The as-
semblage was wild with enthusiasm, and several
persons were roughly used in the eagerness of the
crowd to shake hands with and personally con
| gratulate its admired object.
Who is the next applicant for the 0rder7 DOM
be bashfuI, gentlemen. There are canes enough
for all.