Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-07-07
THE AMERlcaN DEMOCRACY.
Presidems ElBos shows that 10 Produces
the Best Type. of Ladies' ana Gentle.

the Hest TYPES Oh Ladies ana 0o0shos
men.
President Chaa ". Eliot delivered the Grafton
before the Phi Beta Kappa Society OF Harvard
College last Thursday. His subject was "rhe
Working OF the American Democracy" and his
intention was he said, to suggest 1.-THE answers to
certain theoretic objections TO democracy In gen.
eral and to show in part what makes the strength
OF the Democratic form OF government" HIS last
topic was "The Eject Of Democratic Institutions
on the Production OF Ladies and Gentlemen" and
on this subject he said:
"Forty years ago Emerson said It was q chief
felicity OF our country that 1t excelled In women
pullc and In private life American women uDsur-
pasSaDle IN grace and graci0ushess, In serenity
and dignity, In efnuent gladness and aooundi ding
OF human society at its bess. In all the higher
walks OF American life there are men whose bear
Ing and aspect at once distinguish them as gentle
moderation, and refinement; they are quick TO
see and TO sympathize; they are pure, brave, and
nrm On the evidence OF my reading and
OF my personal observation at home and abroad, l
fully believe that there Is larger proportion OF
ladies and gentlemen In the Unit-d States Than 10
any other country. This proposition Is, think,
true with the highest definition OF the term lady
or gentleman; but II ID also true, If ladies and
well dressed, who speak gently and eat with their
forks. II Is unnecessary, however, TO claim any
superiority for mocracy In this respect; enough
women are produced abundahtly on democratic
soil
at would appear then from American experience
that neither generations OF privileged ancestors
nor large Inherited possessions are necessary TO
the making OF lady or gentleman. What Is
necessary? In the first place, natural gifts. The
gentleman Is born 10 dem Jcracy, no less than in
monarchy. In other words, he is person OF fine
bodily and spiritual qualities mostly innate Sec
ondly, he must have, through elementary educa-
ton, early access 10 books and therefore to great
thoughts and bigh examples. Thu dly, he must
be early brought into contact with some refined
and no lie PERSONAL---VERY. mother, te cher. pastor,
employer, or friend. These are the only necessary
conditions In peaceful times and In law-ablding
Accordingly such facts as the following are COM
mon In the United States: One OF the numerous
Children OF a small farmer manages to 1T himself
comes a lawyer, at forty is a much-trus. ed man
In one OF the chief clues Of the Union, and Is dis
tngushed for the courtesy and dignity OF his be,T-
Ing and speech. The son OF a country blacksmith
Is taught and helped TO q small college by his
minister; he himself becomes a minister, has q
long fight with poverty and Ill health but at forty.
nve holds as h gh place as MS profession AFFORDS
and every line In his lace and every tone In his
voice be,peaks the gentleman. The sons and
daughters OF successful shOpkeeper take the
higLest places in the most cuiJlvdted society OF
their native place, and well deserve the pre-emi-
nence accorded tn IN. The daughter OF a man OF
very imperfect education, who began lie with
nothing and became a rich merchant, is singularly
be utiIul from youth 10 aye, ana Possesses to the
highest degree the charm OF dig niled and gracious
manners. A young girl, not 10 * out OF school,
the Child OF resp ctaDie but obscure parents, mar
ries public man, and in Conspicuous station
bears herself with grace, discretion, and noble
neSs which she could not have exceeded had her
blood been royal Ior seven generations.
"Strlklng Cases Oh this KIND are every day phenom-
ena IN Ainenc IN sJciety. w at conclusion do they
establish? They prove that tae social mobility OF
q deinOcr ICY winch permits the excellent and
well-endowed OF either Sex 10 rSe and 70 seek out
each otner, and which gives every advantageous
variation or sport In a fanny stOcA Tree OppO. Ju-
nifty 10 develop, Is lmineaouraby more beneficial
10 "a nation than any seiectv i've in-Dreedng, founued
On class distinctions, which has ever been devised
Since democracy has every advantage Tor prOduc-
Ing in due season and proportion the best human
types, IT Is reasonaDie 10 eXpec. that science aud
literature, muse ana art, and all tne line graceS
OF society viii develop and Thrive IN America as
soon as the more urgent lass OI suUdulIg a VIII
dernesS and organizing soc.ety upon an untrIed
plan are fairly accomplished"