Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1877-08-01
NO. 81.
American Gentlemen.

never reflect upon the breadth aud
generosity of the underlying Idea OF
our idea Of government, with all its
manly equities, Its constant demand
upon its citizens for the most elevated
sentiments known 10 our nature, and
the opportunities afforded tor their ex.
ercise, that IL does not appear TO IN.
more and more, and beyond all other
forms of Government yet devised, the
most favorable theatre tor the exercise
of all the qualities that dignity and
adorn mankind, and that IL penetrated
with true sense Of the part which
each man among us should bear In such
plan, an American citizen ought 20 be
In the best sense of the word gentle
man.
have had good reason 10 realize The
exseting nature OF the toll and varied
occupation of our busy struggle la
American life. aud amid what a rush
of events we have been carving clvili-
zatlon out of the wilderness, emulating
with hot impatience the results aud ac-
cumulations Of centuries of work and
thought In the older nations. Tho
graces of life-those fruits of repose
and well-earned wealth and leisure
are of gradual growth, and have been
necessarily postponed until our temple
OF civil and religious liberty was erect
ed upon secure foundations and our
grand experiment oil self-control by =
free people shall have been well tested.
Art, It's studies and higher influences,
do not underrate, and the great advan-
tages IL can impart TO its disciples, but
personal contact has taught me how
much of that true refinement, delicacy
of sentiment and sensitive considera-
tiOn for the feelings of others, which
We justly regard as the best fruit OF
high breeding and culture, can and
does exist in the simplicity of American
society, uninstructed even by that
European example which To some OF
our countrymen seems the necessary
imprimatur of social success.
The American snOb has none OF the
inducements or excuses of his British
brother, and when ne follows in his
track and gilds and veneers his petit
ness and vulgarity in imitation of rank
and distinguished station, he sins more
against nature and the honest simplic-
ity and natural dignity which are akin
TO republican institutions, and which
may well be worn by every man who
lives under them according to their
true and manly spirit.
Ii is in our power TO create a standard
of American character aud nanh0ei a
lofty as that of any age or nation, and
to compel our representatives at home
and abroad to conform their conduct To
it. The spirit of true chiyalry In all lis
gentleness and unselfishness, showing
TO the feeble and resistance
TO the Oveabearing, mercy TO whom
mercy was due, and honor TO whom
honor, can and does exist in Americs
to day, under the "hOdden gray" oI
the laborer and mechanic, the thread
bare coat of the clerk or the grave garb
of the hard-wOrked merchant or man
Of the professions, as truly as il ever
did under the helmet and chain armOr
of any knight-errant in the Olden time.
The American people can justly de
mand from those who are delegated 10
represent them abroad or a: home
observance of honor and
delicate pride in their private and pub
lie conduct, and the moral influence 10
be obtained by dignified self-respect.
intelligence and high personal integ-
rity viii far outweigh any attempted
with the show and glitter
Of the representatives of other govern
ments not based upon the principle OF
voluntary and orderly self control. la
truth it will be found that where Amer
can representatives abroad have drawn
Dbloquy and just censure or contempt
upon themselves or their country, IL
has been usually caused by some ignor
ant attempt at ostentatiOus display, OF
The unworthy pursuit of private gain.
IN both of which the dignity of their
position was forgotten or disregarded.
and the fault was not "Americanism,"
but the absence of it.-SsaatOr B1gdri'i
address at Hdrudrd.