The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1882-02-03
FLUNkYISN,

1t is doubtful IL IN all the world there can
be found people more sentimental, more
erratic and more given to obsequious and
inexplicable conduct than those of the
United States. Many writer's have con-
tended, and seemingly with reason, that
gradations in society were necessary, and
this is the basis ofmonarchical government.
With us nobility and titled orders are Ia
booed, but in response TO what ap-
pears to be demand OF irail
humanity we have invested the
waalthier classes with the reverence and
reputation for excellence that the favored
few of Europe possess, and have bestowed
upon them the fullest measure OF our deyo-
ton. In other words we have made up for
our want of a nobility by virtually making
an order out of our richer
men, or those who have won
celebrity in some of the various walks
of life. 1t is becoming notorious
and in fact disgusting feature OF
our society in America that it
runs wild over, the most frequently,
unworthy subjects. A celebrity from the
old world, however wanting he may be in
real merit cannot reach our shores but an
ovation is given him and the most uncalled
for honors are paid him. 1t matters not if
the blacklist and most disreputable char
acter is left behind, if the patent of nobility
or fame but be visible, the mercural Amer
lean public bows obsequiously and sur
passes itself in the bestowal of favors too
generous for a king. 1t has come to pass
that our young women of wealth, the
daughters of those most frequently who
have suddenly amassed fortune, ARE engaged
in perpetual hunt for European titles, and
the "moneyed aristocracy" of the country
is slave to its passion for recognition at
the hands of the famous or blooded speci-
mems of the genus. Our plain republican
customs and unpretentious names used to
be the glory of America, but Of late years
the chief object of our average citizen who
has been successful in accumu-
lating money, seems to be to
make an European tour or wine and dine
somebody who has become of more conse-
quence than the rabble generally. 1t is
perhaps all proper that the men of merit,
the truly great, should receive merited
at the hands of the people, and
the honors paid them are but the Just
tributes to genius, but to be always and in
Il ccri ninofo lv fuleomn and Oyoonhont;, ia.
absurd and diotic. A man has only to get
his name in the newspapers, or get himself
into office, or become the hero OF
the hour through some sentimental
performance 10 become the recipient
of honors and attentions worthy of the
most exalted labors and the greatest names
We are rapidly degenerating into a nation
of ilunkies, indulging in the most obse-
quious homage and mock sentimentalty
where it is leas- demanded and least excusa.
bic. Perhaps no public man was ever more
severely assailed by the public or more
justly, than Garfield, but no sooner had the
assassin's bullet entered his body than
tears, crocodile tears, were percep.ible
throughout the whole country. A ma
ton that had just ceased its revilings
knelt in the true spirit of ilunkyism around
his couch. Then again Mr. Brewster,
whom the Philadelphia bar had passed and
repassed without special notice, was made
cabinet officer. Thereupon he is carried
back to the City of Brotherly Love and
wined in style. Judge Porter volunteered
in the prosecution of Guteau for notoriety,
Of course, but his labors were nothing par.
ticularly brilliant. Yet he is made the
hero of the hour and the bar of New York
city are contemplating honorins him
with n grand banquet. A hundred other
instances might be stated, but these are
sufficient to show the spirit and weaknesse,
of our citizens. We are simply making
fools Of ourselves and are becoming tn,
laughing-stock of the world. The most
trivial sensation attracts general attention
the unworthiest parsonage who merely
tickles some idiots fancy becomes demi
god, and subscriptions are started or honor!
paw ~ INV ouoVuu'Vuo populiCC, tHtN olliN
n character of international emincnee sheuc
receive. 1t is to be hoped that the pres,
instead of encouraging such non.
sense will in the future ridcule and dccry
it, and that II healthier and more rationa
and manly public sentiment will succeed to
these absurd rawlings of the too-too charac
ter of the American citizen. II is time that
such disposition was curbed ana the seem
ing tendency TO aristocratical and mon
archica institutions and manners be vigor
ously combated, Let worth and geniu,
meet their proper rewards, but for deccncy'.
sake let us witness cessation of that mis-
cradle tlunkyism which runs wild owe,
every craze of the day and kneels adoringly
to whomsoever fortune or circumstance ha.
placed In a more prominent or independent
position than his fellows.
Mn. BErcnER has again been talking som,
advanced theology" but It Is only con
ilrmatory of the views expressed by hin,