The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-08-21
FOREIGN VALUE OF AMERICAN
TITLES,

I'd One Of our American colleges at its Ia
ID commencement sought to distinguish itse
o. by comforting upon John Bright, the Englit
y commoner and statesman, the degree of Do
ii tor of Laws. He declines the honor an
Is gives his reasons at some length in a cou
is teous reply to the trustees. His first reaso
vt for declining is that he and some others
n England have set their faces against all title
9 civil and military, as calculated I" make ia,
y tious and invidious distinctions among men,
g believing, as they do, that men should b
q distinguished alone by the eminence whic
f their virtue, toll and talents may enable Their
1 to reach. Being Quaker, and as such, AYERS
to all the "pomps and vanities of the world
. people" he intends to persevere in his oppo
' sion to serious abuse especially as title
ridden England especially calls for reform
Mr.. Bright in moderate terms rebuke!
Puritan or protestant clergymen for sporting
the title of Doctor Of Divinity while preach
ing the "meek and lowly religion" of the
gospel, regarding the practice as an "enor.
nous scandal upon Christianity, disobeyine
scriptural injunctions and fostering spirit Of
arrogance sin the breasts of hireling min
istry." He classes the doctorate among eccle.
siastical rubbish. The scramble among
British clergymen for this degree from Ameri-
can universities, he describes as leading to
the ridiculous, especially among dissenters,
whose preachers cannot hope for such favors
from British universities.
Mr.. Bright favors the establishment of
Republic of Letters which he considers i'm
possible where titles are conferred without
discrimination. He says:
This very degree of LII D., which you have
sent me, appropriately embalmed in dead
language (which I am not ashamed to say I
lecturers, and scarcely less comical preachers,
while the degree of DID. adorns the names of
your Fultons as well as those of your Mark
Hopkins. Where all wear the same title, do
you not degrade those who deserve it to the
level of those who bring it into disrepute and
ridicule? As there is not q civil or political
title, from King to Constable. that has not
been worn by an unworthy European, so,
you will permit me to say, there is not a liter
airy or learned degree which has not been con-
ferred upon addle-headed and rattle Drained
graced by some who drive lively trade in
these degrees
He then quotes the advertisements in |
English papers of persons who undertake to |
secure these titles, giving EGO as the total
cost of an American University degree. He
numbers some of the German Universities in
this class who sell their diplomas, just as
beer and Indian corn are sold.
To show that he declines the title in no
spirit of disrespect to New England college,
ne notes the fact that he has declined titles
rom his own country. He disavows any lack
# appreciation for American institutions and
as follows:
As for me, my friends, I bave indeed en-
leavored to doctor the laws of my country,
nd bring them in conformity with the re.
luirements of an enlightened age. thank
rod that have lived to see some of our wick
d statutes disappear forever, and I hope 1
nay yet live to sit down at q "free break '
asst, where I shall be happy to drink the !
lealth OF the great republic in cup of coffee
weetened by the recollection Of your unde-
erved honor. For reward, however, of such |
clip as have been enabled to give my fellow I
len IN their their struggle for elderly and
ne pursuit of happiness" all I ask is an =
pproving conscience in this world and the I
pproval Of my Maker in that which is to t
ome. U
1t need only be remarked that the criticism y
the renowned free trader is not without {
Efficient occasion. While our people are but c
tile deceived by collegiate titles and measure j.,
leir fellow-citizens by their real capacity and .
'tual attainments rather than by their pre-
nsions, the commences Of the practice of E
'nferring the higher literary titles has de- =,
acted from them great part of their dis
nctive meaning Unless institutions of Il
arning become more circumspect and dis d
iminating their diplomas will cease to be Ia
lued by the deserving or striven for by the y
abitious. Masters of Arts, Doctors of Il
Tvs and Doctors of Divinity who have b.
rned their titles by hard work, diligent a. ~
ldy and good conduct, are entitled to credit II II
: the merit which they imply, but when in tt
scriminately conferred, they are as worthless th
the militia titles which are universally en- u
Dyed as convenient handles and half-respect- -,
nicknames.
We do not admit the charge that Ameri- tie
MS are, as people, lovers Of titles as marks w
distinction, to any greater degree than the We
ople of other countries We respect men di
the merits which titles ought to imply, nc
t we respect them for what they are rather IL
IN for what their ancestors have been. In M
ligent Americans are not misled by the tic
sfx of Honorable attached to the names
hundred thousand or more of their We We
1t is applied newly every year !
several thousands of members of legisla- OPP
es and other public officials, and often re- M
ned after the term Of Office has expired; On
none of us think that the bearers are of mt
re than average worth. Distinctions in tho
erica become absurd when they cease to on
tinguish, and are treated accordingly.
Pa
FOOD TIME TO CORRECT AN ABUSE. Ne
low is the best time for move by the DO Bid