St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1893-05-07
SOCIETY AND sNoBBERY

WARD MCALLISTER is p0pula rly
called a snob, and the term is quite
generally applied to every member of
any American 400. WEBSTER defines
a snob to be ''a vulgar person. who
apes gentility, or affects the intimacy Of
distinguished persons" 1t is presumed
that many who apply the term do SO
through ignorance of its meaning; but
generally it is used to express contempt.
Its use in the latter sense is eXcusable
in some cases, but unjust in many.
The profeSSed aim of society people
is to be refined, fashionable and eXclu-
siye.
To be refined, one must have learn
ing, clear and sparkling intellect; a
ready, discreet and entertaining flow of
language; pure, kind and forbearing
heart; graceful, an elegant and unas-
suming bearing; ONE originality, va
riouS accomplishments, and thorough
knowledge Of how to live. The one
who would be refined has a most
commendable aspiration; to be refined
should be one of the chief desires of
every person.
To be fashionable is to dress in such
styles as are uniform with the tastes of
some fashion dictator, and to follow the
changes for the pleasing effects Of new
things. So long as one does not live
beyond his means to be fashionable,
there is nothing censurable in his devo-
ton to style.
10 be exclusive is to associate only
with those who are agreeable to one,
and does not necessarily imply that one
feels himself superior to those he eX-
cludes. There is no more sense in de-
nouncing a social circle for being eX-
elusive than there would be in forcing
free citizens to do things against their
will; and in denouncing the exclusive
circle one cOnfeSses unconsciously a
feeling of inferiOrity to its members.
However, while our American four
hundreds, no doubt, practice all the de-
tails of this pretty theory, there is an
other side to the matter which is the
subject of much regret among loyal
Americans. This IS the tendency to ape
foreign fashions, manners and customs.
IC1G dIC SllUUS anu DdIfCIluGS Ill d.
most every 400: but, outside of these.
the great majority are only apes. They
are not vulgar. but as refined as any
people to be found in Europe. What
they lack is the force of character to
have fashions, manners and customs
which are modelled after those of no
other country, but are purely American.
Every nation of Europe has its own
fashions, manners and customs: Amer
lea borrOws hers. WARD INGALLS,
TER, who is in no sense snob but
chief of apes, has publicly explained
that American society is not old enough
to stand alone. This assertion is rank
nonsense. Does he mean by this that
the society of Europe is more refined
than ours. and that it is not possible for
Americans to acquire refinement except
through European training? Does he
mean that the American taste is so in
ferior that we cannot devise our own
fashions? Would he imply that his 400
would forget to be exclusive if it were
not continually admonished to follow in
the trail of English society?
Such inane remarks of society lead
ers make America ashamed of its social
circles. And it is this inane tendency
of our society which makes it appear in
the eyes of the people as a ridiculous
aggregation of snobs. Mr.. MCALLTsTER
and his 400 have been called vulgar by
the brightest American writer's, and
they are considered vulgar by the ma
iority of English society. RUDYARD
KIPLING recently voiced the feelings of
London society toward New York, and
though some of the New Workers were
much agitated by what he said, they
lacked the independence to rise and as
sert themselves the equals of any society
IN the world.
Had New York society the courage to
drop English fashions, manners and
customs, aud boldly step to the front as
a leading originator of purely American
fashions and ways, it would win laurels
in the social world, and soon be uni
versally regarded the equal of any So
ciety in Europe.