The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1882-05-19

We heard man otherwise intelligent
enough, latoly sneer ut another "be-
cause" said he, "onO never meets him In
respectable society," The speaker did
not mean. however, that the person he
affected 10 look down upon was immoral.
but merely that his circle Of intimates
were not composed Of the fashionable
and rich.
This notion Of what constitutes 70.
spectacle society is quite o favorits one
with that class Of individuals whom
Thackery has so significantly called
''snobs." Empty pretense always makes
It's own characteristics q standard by
which ID strives 10 measaro the respecta.
bility Of persons at large. In commu-
nifty OF mere money getters. wealth II
the test Of rcspoctability. Among the
proud, narrow minded, effete nobility OF
tho Fauborg st. 0ermain respoctability
depends upon being descendants from
ancestors who have married their couB-
ins for 30 many centuries that neither
muscles nor brains are left any longer 10
degenerate descendants. With tho dandy
officers who constitute considerable
portion OF the American navy, respecia.
bility consists in having sponged on
"Uncle SAM" in wearing gilt buttons,
and in iilting tailorA. Every concoited
fool thinks himself In like way tho only
man really weighty, the only man who
10 respectable.
But true rcapectability depends on no
such Adventurous circumstances. To be
be respectable In 10 be worthy Of respect,
and he deserves respect who has the most
vistue. Tho humb;eet man. who brAyely
does his duty, il moro worthy OF respect,
Is more truly respectable than the covet-
ous millionaire among bis money bags,
or the arrogant monarch upon his
throne.
The lady who backbites her neighbor
il less worthy Of respect than tho honest
wash woman. The prohigate noble,
though hs may wear dozen orders, In
often not really as respectable ~ tho
boot black Who cleans boots. That
which is called ''the world" exalts tho
one and dospisea tho other, but does not
make them respectable according 20
the real meaning Of that word.
Their respoctability in but q hollow
sham, m they themselves fire.
quently feel. and thoso who wor-
ship them bow down 10 Fetish. thing
Of feathers aud tinael The selfish, idle
uIouGs NHo MA8A1h bNu
fication. and dixnipatss the fortune Of his
progeny, - not and can not be respect
able, but the hard-working, self-denying
father. who wears out his life to bring
up his children Is, even though he be-
but day lAborcr. Nothing can make
Dives az 10 lis upon AbrahAm's bosom.
while Lazarus is welcome there, even
with the sores the dogs hAYe licked.
The false view Of life which would
measure respectability by conventional
standing. IL totally nj variance with
republican institutions. II creates an
Emporium in impcrio," for which tho
Law declares all citizens equal. IL ereets
u social standard which endeavors to ig-
moro that great truth. The coarse. brut-
ish. knavish, pronigate. criminal-in
short. all who fall short Of their duty TO
themselves and their fellow men--and
those who are not respectable and this
whether they are rich or poor. While
those who 1.-Two honestly, and strive 10
do what they can. constitute in reality,
the respectable class. irrespective of tho
fact whether they eat with silver forks
or steel ones.