Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1863-01-16
Brahminism in old salem


In the quaint old town of Salem, in Massa.
chusetts, there exists a scientific and literary
society which is known by the title of Essex
Institute" This body is iettered by no mar
row bounds, but expands its energies over
wide and fruitful fields. Judging from the Of
fetal report of the last meeting, which we find
in the columns Of a late Salem paper, it is an
institution of which the citizens cannot be
sufficiently proud-for its investigations cover
the domain of science and wrestle with the Sc
crets of art. After acknowledging the receipt
of numerous contributions to its library and
its cabinet, the secretary mentioned that sew
eral varieties of the ''snow owl" had been
taken in the vicinity Of Salem during the
present season; whereupon learned DISGUST
tons were made upon the peculiarities of the
owl species, and Immediately Afterwards
perhaps in consequence of this discussion and
as proper compliment to it-one Mr.. Good
ell brought forward a grave proposition fores-
tablshing a system Of Nele England Herald
9Y.
1t was argued, in support of this proposal,
that New England owes it to herself to refute
''the SANDER Of Mr.. Roebuck' and the ''post-
i've admission of some public northern speak
ers, such as the Rev. DIR. Bellows of New
York, by showing that her people are not of
"low origin, derived from outlaws and crimi-
mails" but are descendants from an ''aneestry
OF gentle and noble consanguinity," whatever
that phrase may mean. In support of this
argument, Mr. Goodell cited proofs from
Peter Force, Bishop Meade, Mr.. Whittemore
of Boston, author of the "Hand book of Am
erican Genealogy," and others, to show not
only that the New England blood is red and
pure, but that it is the blood of the south that
is muddy with the dregs of an ignoble ORR
gin. In pressing this latter point Mr.. Good
ell remarked that ''doubtless many of the
leaders of the rebellion will be found, like
Slidell, Davis, Stephens and Hammond, to be
OF obscure northern birth or descent; so that
the argument of superior blood by the south
not only fails, but is even turned against them
by the facts of history
Nor was this all. With degree of snob-
berry which was hardly to be looked for in so
sober and decorous body as the Essex In
stltute, Mr.. EGoodell enumerated some of
our old first families people of Salem who
are On fact descended from countless arch
bishops, bishops, earls, viscounts, and plain
lords Of England and, not content with this,
dwelt with loving tondness upon ''the numer-
GUS coats of arms eXtant among members of
our old families; ;" and, in short, glorifed Sa-
lem and all its belongings in humble imitation
OF the true 9riStocfatic style. Mr.. Gootlell
did not remember the picture drawn by Haw-
thorne, in that same Salem, of the high-blood-
ed but dreadtully impoverished Miss Hepzbah
Pyncheon, who likewise came of an excellent
stock, but fell to keeping scent shop when
ancestry brought her no bread.
In all seriousness, however, the prime
mover in this business of setting up system
american Heraldry" is undertaking very
silly operation. Better than all the quarter
ings of the Heralds' College is the great in
divduaized New England character-en-
lightened, generous, independent and self
sustaining. The patriotism of the sons of
New England needs no gliding from Fictitious
rank or station. 1t is pure and noble in ITSELF
and it is to-day showing the nation what con-
stitutes the real nobility of the land, Mr.
Goodell may as well suspend his new avoca-
ton and lay by his herald's tabard, for in
New England it is not needed.