The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1878-09-12
ShOddY Scandals.

We several years ago wlote an
editorial to point out that the ma
jor portion of the loose morality
and social scandal at the North
was confined to the fashionable cir
cles, and especially the shoddy-
crats-the "fast society,"-where
diamonds and display take the
place of decency and refinement.
We predicted that as soon as this
shoddy fungus of fashionable
life took root, SO to speak, in the
South, we should have the same
social scandals here. Some recent
reports from various localities not
north of Mason's and DiXon's line
would seem to Indicate that the
lecherous leprosy is already in the
atmosphere. Certainly it has
reached the National Capitol, judg-
ing by the open statements of re-
liable newspapers. Let mothers
who read these things (and We print
them to be ready watch for the first
budding of ''fastness" in their
daughters, if they would keep free
from the coming plague.
GA late event, in which the
name of a gallant officer, a Wash
ington diplomat, and a lady noted
for her accomplishments and fasci-
nations, a leading lady in fashiona-
BILE circles are freely used by Cos
sips and scandal mongers-calls
our attention to a fact SO patent to
our social world that a reference to
it seems trite and Il bore. We re-
fer to the social influence of our
diplomatic cilcle. The gentlemen
composing this body are, almost
without exception, cultivated and
refined, and had they any business
whatever, would doubtless be a
blessing to our national capital.
But, as the quaint old ballad says :
Satan finds some mischief still
For idle hands to do"
The highest possible social sphere
in this great social center is that
which the diplomatic corps occupy
and control. When one is rccog-
nized at the English legation, for
example, such happy recipient of
favor is possessed of q patent of
nobility, ard to him or her all
other doors swing open on hinges
oiled, with hearty welcome.
Now, although the members of
the corps, as we have said, are &C.
complished people-the men, mel
of the world, schooled in all its
pleasant, insincere ways-the spirit
that stoops to such supremacy is
the most abject Hunkeyism anC
snobbery known to this free anG
enlightened land of ours +; and the
worst part of it is that our diplo
matte agents from abroad do mo-
comprehend that this is confined t.
very few silly people, and the,
leave our shores impressed with tn,
belief that we are Il nation of snobs
with as little modesty and virtu,
among our women as sturdy goot
sense among Il men.
How can they think otherwise
when it is held a high honor TO
an humble attache to accept
gentleman's hospitality, and tn
girls throw themselves at thei
heads with an abandon that ind
Gates that what would be an insul
from an American is an honor a
the hands of an official foreigner
We have married ladies who, lei
to themselves, are doubtless yer
good sort of women, who actuall
court scandal if it carry a It'll,
and their good, easy husbands, il
sane with the same unhealthy mo
bid ambition, grant opportuniti,
they would guard against with hol
orable Indignation did they con
from any other source.
Our good citizens of Washingto
know that this picture, instead