New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-11-22
BAYARD TAYLOR on AMERICAN
SOCIETY

Mr.. Taylor, in his discourse In the Market-st.
Church Wednesday evening" dropped his accustomed
char .cer of narrator Of personal experiences with
strange races, and appeared analyst OF our social
and political peculiarities. In his Treatment OF the
interesting theme Mr.. Taylor speaks with the inde-
pendence of one whose views Of men and manners
have been developed and mstured by extensive
navel. aud while always patriotic in bis sentiments
attacks our national oibles with the visor Of an iu
partial critic Ameiicin socoiy OF to-day, he argues,
/. aute the reverse Of American society at the time Of
tho Revolution for then il differed from European so
eiey only in so much bsd been modified by climate
and new associations while in the so yesrs which
have sinoe elapsed We have rs undated the pecuiia-
lice of many nations and began 10 form dienciive
thase OF nationality. Our powers OF assimilation
are enormous. which may be inferred from the fact
that ore hundred thousand immigrants soon loco
their yernacuar their nsional costume, helr habits
and almost tbeir national cast Of features. ln Lou
don the effects Of the muttuoe of foreigners which
WAS attracted TO the World Fair OF lo5I are viri
b 10 this time. The first thing that strikes the
American abroad is the evidence OF social System,
which gives individual consequence apart IRON
wealth rank. II shows Itself IN the pno1ic ana
private intercourse of individuals IN the culture and
habits Of the people, even Ia the education OF CT IL
dren. Persons are by common conseDt assigned TO
detute social rauk and oute secured IN Il, they DO
not feel sensitive lest their place may not be UNDER
stood. Here /, il not 70. A mans consequence
in ZONE circles depends on bis wealth, IA
some Oh his family, in others on his 70.
liical or religious views, and often the very
street In which he lives clamps his social position
In Two woros, II contrast between European and
American conditions may be stated thus: There they
have political desposm and tocisl freedom; here
zee political freedom and petty socihl despotiem.
The universal woroDip VI wealth by us without re-
gard 10 tue Of lie accumulation toerates men
In respectable society who unworthy OF IL, and
downright dson, sLy l. too often excused under the
name Of sharp practice" One Of the modest
ns.- OF society is to puBih these slippery forms Of
disbonesty aud unless radical change aires IN our
socisl RELATIONS American society Will become COM
letey de morsized. America Is the paradise OF THO
moor man. for nowhere tlse 10 the world ID the
average comfort Of living 80 great. New-York
il q more expensive place OF residence than any
other city ia the world except st. Petersburg.
yut, if we are lavish ia our personal expenditure,
we ARE also the moet generous OF all nations IN our
benefactioDs. When we hear Of distress or want,
our nj II are hvisb, aud bestowed without single
selfish motive. This truly noble trait may well be
the pride of every American and charity indeed
covers n multitude Of Gins. The democracy of Amer
lean society has great anomalies, for, with all our
stubborn disrespect Tor caste aud social grades no
reople arc such Clind hero-worshippers as we. Be-
cause man has proved himself great rs general,
wo expect him to be equally good IA an orator,
editor, contractor, surgeon, and naval commander.
and ii he fails in one or more OF these respects, we
cast him from the pedestal he has fairly earned, aud
turn 20 some new idol. We arc moreover, too ex
citable and TOO sensitive While protesting to care
nothing for the good opinion OF Europe, We have
been scolding EDgland snd France for not showing
active sympathy in cause aud carry our reseut-
ment at the supposed aaront to the verge OF war:
The lecturer in conclusion discussed the principle
Of Federal Government as opposed TO State
sovereignty, which latter he secuted as the mer.st
puerility in our case. His peroration was an eo-
auent tribute 10 the noble selEsacrice aud patriot
lem Of our people In rssigning their most cherished
rights for the general good sod stirring appeal TO
abide the issue Of present contest with perfect
confidence In the triumph Of the Right.