The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1896-12-18
AN AMERICAN. YET 4 PEER.
Fairfax,s Unique Appearance-Has eo"'
In the House of Lords.

Fairfax'S Unique ApPeara"o0
In the House of Lords.
At the Emmet-Chanler wedding on
recent Tuesday one OF the guests Was =
gentleman who occupies unique posi-
tion in this country. Lord Fairfax Is an
American citizen, and yet he possesses
a seat in the English house OF lords; Is
regularly summoned to the opening OF
narliament, and receives notices OF III
nortant debates just like any other
neer. 1t is the only case in existence
of a citizen of one country possessing
right to help make the laws Tor announcer
nation.
This state of things was brought
about in a curious way. Lord FalrIaN'
who receives the name from his 1rlehus
by courtesy, although as AN AmericaH
citizen he has no right to hold a Iitle
from another nation, is descehueu
from the original settlers OF the Falr-
fax estate in Virginia, the third Baron
Fairfax. who emigrated to this
country early in the seventeenth cen
tury. When the American revolution
broke out the then Lord Fairfax, the
grandfather of the present peer, llVed
sometimes in England and sometimes
in America, often using his right to si'
in the house of lords. Throughout the
struggle for independence he sympa-
thizcd with the revolutionlsts, put lot
bore any active part in the rebellion, De
coming, however, when the Unitea
States obtained it's acknowledgements, an
American citizen.
But an English peer can lose his title
only for an act Of treason. Lord Falr
fax had not committed any such act
and consequently could not be ue-
prived of his right to the barony. Once
a peer always Il peer. An English com
moner foreswearing allegiance to the
crown cannot vote or legislate in Great
Britain before he has become renatural-
lied. but it is one of the ancient priv
iIeges of the peers, dating from the time
of Magma Charta, that they and their
descendants must retain their titles anu
rights in perpetuity except in the case
of reasonable conspiracy or active war
against the crown.
Some centuries later this law was mod
fled in the case of persons becoming
Roman Catholics. Conversion to Rome,
as in the case of the earl of Leicester,
about eight years ago, lost them their
titles. But even this law was repealed
on the passing of the Catholic emanciPa-
ton act, and at present only treason
can deprive a peer of his title. This is
how it happens that an American citl-
zen holds a British peerage.
The Chanler wedding was one of the
most remarkable society events of re-
cent years Only the oldest families OF
New York were invited. Even the wealth
lest members Of the society OF to-day
were denied invitations. The old Astor
manor house at Barrytown on the-H I'd
son was the scene OF Il reunion of the
best society of 40 years ago, such as
has not been knCNn for many years
Only one guest Of all the geo invite i
was not descended from tie earlic"t
and most distinguished settlers OF
America. tbs Che exception was ~.
st. Gaudcns, the sculptor, whose ia
Their was Il I'Cuita avenue tradesna..
He was he OILY one there to repre- Bet
the ariStocr3cy Of Saient. All the Fest
of the guests comprised the Stuyves-
ants, the Van I.euSselaers and other old
families, whose claims to lead society
have Ecen overlooked in recent years
in favor of the Nanderbilts and other
members Of the aristocracy of wealth
". Y. Press.