New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-08-02
GENTLEMEN's SONS.
BY GAIL HAMILTON
SOME CONSIDERATIONS or NATURAL AID ARBr-
TRARY SOCIAL RANK.
[ouurt1hf 1898.

| Before any real solution of the American problem
can be reached before any exact statement OF that
| problem can be made, the confusion Of political
with social and personal equality must be removed
republic can never be comprehended either by
Its own citizens or by foreigners long as it Ia
supposed to be invention for reducing or raising
all men to level instead of being what it is an in
vention for permitting all meL to find their own
level. Tho late NJ. lie Bacourt, Minister Of France
to the United States and ezpounder to France Of
the United States. died without even glimpse of
| this primal truth but far more acute observers
than he have been equally unseeinQ Carlyle who
took life with anguish of solemnity was as blind
De Bacourt, who trippcd from cradle to grave on
the light, fantastic toe. Carlyle preached king
dOms because kingdoms follow leaders, dstrustcd
and desDlsed republics because republics have mo
leaders. A moro candid and simple observation.
unhampersd by the rigid requirements Of theory,
would have shown that a kingdom is community
which euthrones It's leaders: a republic is one
which follows them. A kingdom assumes leader
ship to be Unbeatable. A republic recognizes
leadership as an individual endowment and
demands of each man his credentials A kingdom
puts its leaders beyond It's own control. A
republic keeps them always within reach. A
kingdom petrifes its leadership into family
institution. republic difuses it into national
benefit. Human nature IL absolutely the same
under both forms of government republic no
more attempts or processes to make one man as
good great, as rich. rs polite, as happy Is
another. than it processes to make him as tall, as
blond, as strong. What it does undertake is to see
that every soul born In its domain has freedom to
grow in the direction which nature intended.
Repression has been for 80 many ages the worlds
fashion and habit that it is not strange if this late
fraG 60 l,n knlxa for
growth itself To long cranped nature relief may
seem development, whereas it is only the oppor-
tunity for development. Nevertheless it is great
opportunity.
Because we have abolished an arbitrary dis
tincton of classes, it is sometimes assumed that We
have no distinction Of classes. But while human
nature remains-and from all we are told OF the
nature of angels-in this world and in the next.
society will resolve itself into classes Republican,
ism concerns political, not social matters. The
English and the American nations one stock,
almost within the memory of man one nation.
They have their tiis and taunts and isticuns. but
they one blood. Their institutions tend to
liberty their etiquette is Identical their tradition
aud much of their literature is one Suffrage is
little restricted in England than in the United
states, but both ruled by q constitution.
Political equality is more nearly attained in this
country. but social and personal equality are
affected only indirectly, as political conditions
influence individual character There Is exactly as
much difference between scholar and Ounce in
this country In England. We think that a
republic permits fewer ounces. We hope that it will
not ultimately produce fewer scholars In England
they call gentleman the Marquis of Ripon In
this country we call hun Mr. Robinson. But the
gentleman no less consorts with gentlemen here, no
wit fha aud yut hara HIM
in q monarchy. In England the dukes son IS a
duke by virtue of being his fathers son. He may
be blackguard. backlcg. but he is still duke.
In this country have institutions to hold up a
geDtlemans son. Ii he ceases To be or il lie never
becomes a gentleman. there is nothing for him to
fall back on. He sinks into undistinguisheL dust
and is replaced by an atom more highly organized
But the gentleman here is in all essentials the gen.
tlcman Of all the rest or Chrsteudom. He loves
cleanliness Of body and SOUL He is gentle and
generous. He may be Intellectual he must be
deferential. His etiquette Is not always to be
depended npon but he respects the rights Of Others
does not sgnalize his own honesty, or culture, or
blood. or baths, beyond the common air. His
grammar is seldom more than moderately bad. His
instinct of helpfuncss Is never at fault. Beyond
even England he has here advanced in rcverencing
womanhood without regard to the position of the
he stands by his kin and clan without obtrudng
tue fact lie expects to DO politely treated, and is
not on tho watch for indignties. quick to take
offence He dresses well or ill., but seldom suspects
that he is not dressed we'll enough. He would not
Willingly wear frock coat where other gentlemen
are in evening dress but he has no sword to draw
in attack or defence of any dress whatever and for
the cxternals of attire is very apt to need the
constant sustaining. retaining and stimulating
power of the feminine element in his household.
When the brief period of immaturity is passed he
has but o ftful, capriclous and untrustworthy
devotion TO monographs aud ornamental walking
sticks Even on hats and gloves his judgment is
liable to DO overthrown. In many points he is
human and he errs. But no 10 pure, placable, |
responsive. refined.
In republic tho gentleman Is the only aristOcrat
but he is the same kind Of being that he is in any
monarchy outside of Zululand Iu republic he |
lakes his place the moment he appears lie is not |
barred out. he is not even retarded by any stars,
yarters, titles, monopolies. In kingdom the gen |
leman is apt to barrcade his order with securities
which it takes revolution to destroy. Here there
no wall for him to scale. gate for him to force.
lie needs not to fight for his standnggIound. but to
occupy it, The field 10 perfectly clear. He climbs |
he highest hill who has the strongest feet and the
oundest lungs.
Individual character Is therefore the safeguard,
md the only safeguard. of the republic. TO the
ormation of individual character should oil our
patriotism tend. Upon individual character all our
liability rests Because We have no institutions to
lold us up We must depend for lite upon personal
worth. When the intelligence and the int gritty of
Ter citizens cease to sustain the republic, the
epublc falls.
Under all civilized governments the common
rirtues of life spring and grow Carlyles family in
he barren wastes of Scotland reverenced each
ther and gave to the world q heart warming by
heir respect and tenderness to parents, their
evotion to children. the patience love. admiration