Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-04-04
THE EVOLUTION OF AN AR1srocRAoY


out into the world and discerns that some
Of those under observation are high-born
and bear titles, that Others are low-born
without titles and when he further per-
ceives that birth, family connection, aris-
G0cratic lineage, are inheritances of high
social and political value, he naturally
asks as to the origin of this state of things,
Cnintluenced by historical traditions, cow
ardly subserviency, or other DETECTING in
fuences, the natural mind natures into
position Of democracy-or to state this in
another form, children are democrats.
They become aristocrats through education
IN the artifcialities of society. The youth
looking out upon the world in the tenth or
twelfth Dukedom or Earldom, and upon
inquiry finding that the title was conferred
on the first Duke or Earl for meritorious
service, naturally revolts at the idea that a
distinction which belonged to individual
merit alone should have found hereditary
perpetuation. Merit may be perpetuated
~ hereditary transmission, but that re-
ward for right action should pass to pos
terity is absurdly grotesque.
The evolution of an aristocracy is not a
difficult thing, and every concession made
TO historical lineage is step in the direc-
ton of this evolution. The great doctrine
Of equality of men is subverted and tram
pied under foot when merit is forgotten,
and family connection Or historical lineage
IS recognized. A cosby correspondent of
enc Of the leading Eastern papers during
the incumbency of Robert T. Lincoln in the
Office OF Secretary of War, writing from the
Capital City, describing Mr. Lincoln's fam
lily, gushed forth as follows: 'These children
now playing before me have an assured
EIture. They belong to an historical lin
cage. They are the grandchildren of SEN
ator Harlan, of Iowa, and Abraham Lin
coin, of Illinois" In what respect the fu-
ture Of these children was assured was not.
Of course, defined, but the assurance must
have had social aspect to the writer.
freely translated, the correspondent NAV
be rendered as saying: "The social posi-
ton Of these children will be established
because they are the grandchildren of two
historical personages, and have, therefore,
come into the possession of sort of repub-
Lean patent of nobility" 1t is not con-
tended that descent from noble men should
work any political or social disability, but
the great principles of republican institu-
lions are violated when preference is given
10 any one who would not by reason of
their own innate merit have deserved the
distinction, aside from all considerations of
lineage
The present Administration has APP
pointed two sons of distinguished fathers
to irst-class diplomatic positions. The
appointments have the flavor of conces-
sion to sentiment of aristocraey, and par
ticularly to that sentiment in Europe. 1t
may be said in all candor, and the state
ment viii do exact justice, that Fred
Grant would not have been selected for
the Austrian Mission if his father had not
been distinguished. His selection, there
fore, passed over the question of his per-
sonal merit to the distinction of his father
New York paper, commenting on the
appointment Of Mr. Lincoln, says
Neither in point Of ability nor public
services is he the man that would be
thought of for the highest and
most important diplomatic mission
in the gift of the Government, except for
the fact that he is the son of Abraham
Lincoln" If it be indeed true that Mr.
Lincoln does not possess qualifications
which would have suggested his name for
the great distinction which has been con-
ferred upon him, then in both the case Of
Grant and of Lincoln, the appointments
are concessions to family pride, family dis
tinction and historical lineage. And in so
much as they are concession to these ele-
ments of aristocraey, they constitute the
anipient beginnings in the evolution of
an American aristocracy. They are pre-
oedents which the future viii plead, and
not in vain. If they are worthy in them
selves. they are worthy in their exemplary
consequences. If they are right in them
selves, they are right as precedents for
future appointments If Mr.. Grant or Mr.
lincoln is deserving of great distinction,
IL such rewards are to come to them be-
cause their fathers rendered distinguished
service TO the country, then the sons of
other distinguished fathers viii have equal
claim TO distinguishment on the merits Of
their fathers alone The precedent estab-
lished by the existing Administration
raises the question, "What does the Gov
eminent or society owe to the families of
men who have performed distinguished
service for the countryp and the reverse
obtrudes itself, What does the Govern
tnent and society owe TO the sons of those
who have been recreant to the demands OF
patriotism ~ If iirst-class diplomatic
mission is due to the son of General Grant.
what is due to the sons Of Robert T. Lee ?
II EOnOr Il oue III Inc INST instance,
opprobrium must follow as a logical
sequence in the second. Thus hereditary
distinction and the attainder Of blood are
established together. We have no dispo-
sition to find fault with President Harrison
because of these appointments. They APP
pear innocent enough on their face. All
incipient beginnings of wrong appear In
nocent in their incipiency. They do not
preent the appearance of menacing limo
vations until after they are established
precedents; hence they wear the appearance
of innocency until they become dangerou:
by growth and strength. There is nothing
more innocent, beautiful or playful than Z
tigers cub, and it wears this appearances
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