Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-09-17
LASTING CLASS LINES.
Why 1t 10 That Enriched Foreigners Choose
to Stay in This Country.

why 1t 10 That Enriched Foreigners Choooe
to Stay in This Country.
From the St. Louis Globe Democrat.
1t has often been wondered why foreig ners,
and especially Germans, who have become very
| wealthy in this country, 80 seldom return to
their own country and their own kindred to live
out their remaining days. They are through
making money and all they now have to do is
| to enjoy themselves. The reason they do not
return to their native land is plain after it has
once been explained.
The whole question is solved in the fact
that wealth will not lift butcher boys son
even to the social status Of q mechanic.
There are probably few places in the United
States where better information can be had
on this point than in St. Louis, and Globe
Democrat representative was entertained for
couple Of hours the other day on it by a
party Of wealthy Germans. Said one of them:
An American who has made money, no
matter what his parents did for q living, can
go to Germany, or any other foreign country,
and acquire BETTING social rank. But take
German, an Englishman, an Irishman, a
Frenchman or an Italian, and wealth made
In this country will not give him social posi-
ton above that Of his father or grandfather
before him. The lines are closely drawn, and
they are drawn for good and keeps"
The speaker was asked il he could cite any
certain case OF this kind, and he replied by Civ
Ing the name Of lady, one of wealth. refine
ment and intelligence. who should be received
In any class of society and who is regarded as
an ornament to society here. The name is, Of
course, withheld.
"Mrs. - would. know, like very much to
live most Of her time in the part of Germany
where she WAS born and raised, among her
relatives, but she cannot do SO with any de-
gree OF enjoyment. She tried it once and had
enough OF it in a very short time. Here she is
cel in, he haat &c ~.l.l
as the equal of any. Over there she is plain
Mrs. -, the daughter of kings forester,
and all her wealth could not raise her to the
notice or social status of mechanics wife,
Inc king forester is an individual who wears
uniform and a three-cornered hat and carries
long staff, and bows and scrapes to everybody
lie Is not on social equality even with the
butcher. and In her native country Mrs. -
must remain his daughter socially and be
bound by his social status rs long as she lives.
Education, refinement, intelligence. wealth.
all go for nothing. This. of course, would not
suit her, and for aught there is in the father
land OF interest to her she might well be
formally exiled"
The conversation here became very general
and the comments were free and to the point
emphasizing the unbearableness of this condi-
ton of affairs
THE point is Just here" said one: 1--WE
love the fatherland. We would enjoy living
with our kindred and giving them some of
we dement, OF our success III this country.
But We have enjoyed free America and its
business and social advantages and en-
couragements too long to submit to such re-
strictions. For instance, my father was a
small farmer and gardener and l have near
relatives who are still in the same line. Ii
could give them more impor lance in this voca-
ton even and lit them up to the equal of
their acquaintances regardless of business
lines would very gladly do SO. and l would
enjoy living among them q good portion of
the time, but l might well try to dry up
the Mississippi river with q sponge as to
make an effort in that direction. You can
readily see that under such circumstances
there is no pleasure for me even in a visit
and might say none for them either. have
money and can afford to enjoy life, but 1 can
not have social intercourse above a gardener.
They are poor, work from morning to night,
and wear wooden shoes, and in their limited
sphere could not enjoy my money if l was to
heap 1t on them. 1t is a good deal like one
man having money and another none. The
one who has not cannot respond to the other 8
social expenditures, and by and by they be-
come distasteful to him. 1t is the same way at
the theater. l might take my old German aunt
to place Of amusement, but / would have to
take seats where the social standing Of the fam
lily directed"