The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-08-07
TITLED AND DECORATED.
RorALFAVoR TooURcoUSrRYMEN.
Banker Eugene Reilly Nominated as Ca
merier de Cape et d'Epse" by the
Pope-Honors Declined.

fopc-houcrs Declineu
Although titles and royal decorations are
not exactly eoncomitants Of republican
form Of government every rule has its ex-
ception, and certainly the rule which con-
fers upon the American citizen the sole
Title Of Mr." is 2 case in point.
Citizens Of this land Of Jefersonian sim
piicity there are who can rightfully prefix
such high sounding words as Mar
quis." "Chevalier." Commander" Bar
on and what not to their names On gala
occasions these same Jehorsonians can
adorn themselves with crosses and ribbons
and other insignia innumerable OF monarch
ical institutions.
This state Of aiTairs-seemingly paradox
cal IN the land Of the Stars and Stripes
IS due 10 the fact that the crowned heads of
Europe every now and then take 1t into
their crowned heads to honor some distin-
guishe1 American This kindly intention
generally materializes in the form OF an ex-
raordinarily polite letter from the consul
general of the crowned head IN question to
the favored American and the cross, or
other decoration OF some titled order
The last American 10 whom has come dis
tlnguished preferment of this sort is Eugene
Kelly, the well-known banker, whom the
Pope recently nominated as "Camerier de
Cape et d'Epee." Several other citizens of
the United States are also possessors OF
Papa decorations and recipients of honors
OK the kind from the various continental
governments may be found in almost every
large city in the country.
10 ENGLISH DECORATIONS FOR Americana.
II might perhaps be expected In view Of
the close race, lingual, social and CONNER
clol relations between Great Britain ard
this country that Queen Victoria would have
been the most liberal of the European
rulers in the bostOwal OF decorations and
titles upon Americans. Such is not the
case. however. In fact. an attache OF the
British consul generals Office tells me- that
no American has ever been so bonOred by
the Queen of England. Ireland and Scot
land. Empress OF India, dc. Decorations
are rarely conferred by Victoria upon any
but loyal subjects Of Her Majesty. though
German cousin of the royal family Is occa-
sionaly authorized 20 add the insignia Of
some new English order to his collection.
An effort was made 10 decorate Cyrus W.
Field on the completion Of the Atlantic
cable. but he refused the honor on the
ground that be was an American citizen.
.
ularly free in her bestowal of decorations
upon Americans. Through all tho viclssi-
tudes. revolutions and changes which have
marked the history Of Ia belle France"
during the present century the Legion Of
Honor founded By Napoleon Bonaparte in
1902. has survived. On its list Of members
are many Americans. In every grade this
country is represented.
The great majority OF American member
n f nd har - TO "a rod a
the Legion 80 priced by Frenchmen in con-
nectiOn with one or other of the interna-
tional expositiOns held in Paris. Some to
be sure. won their red ribbon in other ways,
but nearly all the American member OF the
famous organization owe their hOnOrs TO
their official relations with the exposltlons
OF 10 the superiority of their exhibits.
MEMOIRS OF THE LEGION or HONOR.
At the Exposition Of 1867 Richard G. Nc
COrmick. Walter A. Wood and several other
Americans were decorated with the Legion
OF Honor ribbon. There was more gene
raj distribution of the ribbon at the Expo
sition OF 1878 and both Messrs. Mccormick
and Wood were then advanced 20 the rank
of officers Of the Legion. Mr.. Mccormick,
who was CommisslOner-Cfeaera OF the
United States at the Exposition, being made
a commander of the Legion.
=
ment were Professor +. A. +. Barnard, Of
Columbia College. and Andrew d. White.
now United States Minister TO Russia, both
being honored with the rank Of officer.
Eight Americans were made chevaiersot the
legion and four exhibitors were decorated.
TIE chsvaliers were Professor W-tP. Blake,
W w. Story. A. H. Girard. Henry Pettitt,
Homer Pickering. John d. Philbrick. d. Nj.
Armstrong and Lieutenant IS. h. Bucking-
ham: those decorated were Charles Tiffany.
Thomas A. Edison, Elisha Gray and j. a,
Bridgman.
There was another wholesale conferral Of
decorations at the Exposition or 1889. Cen
eral W. b. Franklin was then made grand
officer of the legion. The rank OF officer
WAS bestowed upon $. p. Tuck General +.
A. Walker. General r. c. Hawkins. A. B.
Blanchard. Elihu Thompson, and the chew
alters distinction came 70 John Sargent.
Alexander Harrison. Ridgway Knight,
Henry Cocbrane. David Kale William
Sellers, William Dome, Edward Moore,
John Lafargs. and Messrs. Lyle, Gunnal.
Urquhart, Ward Katch. Wheeler, Healy
and Fairchiid-all Americans.
Germany has been much less prodigal than
France in comforting distinction on Amerl-
can citizens. Several prominent German
citizens told me that at least three or four
citizens OF the United States had received
Germany. but / could learn OF only one
authenticated case OK the kind.
MUcH-HoNoRED MAN.
The American in question. Charles Glib
son, OF 81. Louis was a very much-hOnOred
man. He WAS knighted by three Emperors
William l. made him a knight Com
mander Of the Royal Crown; tue Emperor
at Austria conferred the commanders
cross Of the Order of Franz Joseph upon
him and about Two years ago the young
German Emperor gave him the grand cross
Of the Prussian ROYAL Crown. All these
hOnors were won by his legal services IN
behalf OF the German Empire, and are the
highest honOrs ever conferred upon mn
American citizen by the rulers of Germany.
Perhaps the most notable recent case OF
tho transformation of a plain American oitl-
zen into titled cosmopolitan was the
award of the rank OF Chevalier OF the
Italian Crown made 10 Inspector Thomas
Byrues. of the New York police force, by
King tmbertO OF Italy III February, 1891.
The present superintendent Of the force was
thunderstruck by the receipt OF polite
note from the Italian Consul-Geueral IN this
city announcing the honor in store for him;
IL took him five DAYS 20 make up his mind
as 10 the advisability OF accepting the honor,
or, at least. asking the necessary consent OF
of the Police commissioners TO do so. he
decided 10 decline the title and the cross
which went with it and gave his reasons for
80 doing in this lettef
INSPECTOR BYRSEs' DRcLNATIoS.
Hugh ]. Grant, Mayor Of the City of New
York.
Sir.-I have the honor to acknowledge the
receipt of your communication OF Yesterday
informing me that there hiss been placed IN
your hands by the Consul General Of Italy