The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1864-11-11
amrnrcAN An,,rocRAeY.

Such is the constitution Of human society, /.
that one man must have superiority over
another. 1t may not be apoltical superiority,
or governmental regulation may be able to
prevent such; but still there viii remain
social distinction. Such distinction may not
arise from individual superiority, intellect, or
power, but some false basis may be selected.
In Europe birth is the criterion according
to which society is divided; in India caste is
the standard of division; while in America,
"where all men are born free and equal" va
have adopted most arbitrary and unnatural
standard aud ,CcdlH is the distinction accord
ing to which society is separated into classes.
Money, therefore, is the foundation Of our
"frst families" and the basis ofour aristocracy,
This select class has undergone two most
decided changes-Tevolution5 as complete as
that which deprived CHARLES Of his crown.
Immediately after the conclusion of the
Revolutionary War there commenced series
OF large mercantile Transactions fiom which
| great gain accrued, and wealth rolled into our
merchants Golfers. Hence they became ari5-
| tocIatic suddenly acquired fortune lifts the
! position OF the posscssor without raising him
self; hence he brings up with him all the vices
and deIrayities OF lower lie. Arrogance and
insolcacc take the place Of proper appre-
citation OF thc value Of money. Thus arose the
lamous Goldfish aristOcracy," which continued
rs rule until the commencement Of our pre-
sent civil war. This reign extended through
about siNy-dvc years.
with the vast armies watch were called
into existence b. ths attempt upon our
nations life camc great contracts TOR Sub7ist-
cuco Of our gllput soils, and thase who got
m, Sc contracts uccmallgsci yrcat and sudden
gaius. The hod-rlrrrr ut lo-lly dives his
caIIape and pair tomorrow. The washer
woman OF yesterday is the iewslleI lady OF
to-day. All thing are changed; sur people
are continually "gojng up and coming doEa."
We all know the ridicule which is heapei
upon the "shoddy arr5ocracy' How with
tbcl nasby jewels, purple hanilerchieis anil
numerous eXtrayagances, they have rendered
themselves more than ridiculous The frauds
which have been the means Of achie wing
the fortunes OF SO many, have made the name
of f"shoddy' a s8m Of scorn and opprobrium.
The "codGsh aristocracy" was term Of ridi-
cule: "shoddy' implies a crime Such is the
conventional acceptance OF the words. Vine
ther Just or not, posterity must decide.
We do not think we hazard our reputation
for "double-sight' when we predict that in a
few years there win arise a set called "aris5o-
cratic" who will surpass in bombsst, vul-
garity, and bad taste-any which have preceded
it, and completely throw the "shoddy" Of the
present day into the shade. For the sake ol
rerspieuity we win call them "Petrolia.'
The discovery of the vast living wells Of oil
upon soil previously considered the mo5t
God-iorsaben in our State, has raised those
who before were among the poorest OF oui
citizens TO be the wealthest. Their re
, ceipts are fabulous We have heard Of one
q man who, before these grand discoveries, wa
E. obliged % row boat TO keep himself alive
E. as his iarm alone could not support him
+ now iasun income Of four thousand dollars
day We cannot vouch i0r thc exaetaess o