Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1897-01-21
AN AMERICAN, YET A PEER.
Fairfaz's Unique Appearance-H6sa Seat
Tho Houaa ~ Torda

Fairfaz's Unique Appearance-Has Seat
In the House of Lords.
At the Emmett Chnnler wedding on
arecent Tuesday one Of theguests was D
gentleman who occupies unique posi-
ton in this country. Lord Fairfax is an
American citizen, and yet he possesses
a sect in the English house Of lords; il
regularly summoned to the otening OF
parliament, and receives notices Of i'm
portant debates just like any other
peer. 1t is tho only case in existence
of citizen of one country possessing q
right to help make the laws for another
nation.
This state Of things was brought
about in o curious way. Lord Fairfax,
who receives the name from his friends
by courtesy, although as an American
citizen he has no right to hold q title
from another nation, is descended
from the original settlers of the Fair
FIX estate in Virginia, the third Baron
Fairfax. who emigrated to this
country early in the seventeenth cen
fury. When the American revolution
broke out the then Lord Fairfax, the
grandfather Of the present peer, lived
sometimes in England and sometimes
in America, often using his right to sit
in the house of lords. Throughout the
struggle for independence he sympa-
thizcd with the revolutionists, but for
bore any active part in the rebellion, be-
coming, however, when the United
States obtained its enfranchisemant, an
American citizen.
But an English peer can lose his tito
only for an act of treason. Lord Fair
fax had not committed any such act,
and consequently could not be de-
prived of his right to the barony. Once
O peer always peer. An Englishcom-
moner foreswearing allegiance to tho
crown cannot vote or legislate IL Great
Britain before he has become retAtural-
lied, but it is one of the ancient priv
ileges Of the peers, dating from the time
of Magma Charta, that they and their
descendants must retain their titles and
rights in perpetuity except in TIE case
of reasonable conspiracy or active war
against the crown.
Some centuries later this law wasmod-
flied 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 But even this law was repealed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 emaneipa-
ton act, and at present only treason
can deprive a peer of his title. This liz
how 1t happens that IN American citi-
zen holds q British peerage.
The Chanler wedding was one OF the,
most remarkable society events OF rs-
cent years. Only the Oldest families OF
New York wereinvited. Even the wealth
lest members of the society Of to-day
were denied invitations. The old Aston
manor house at Barrytown-on-the-hud-
son was the scene of a reunion OF the
best society Of 40 years ago, such as
has not been known for many years.
Only one guest of oil the 200 invited
was not descended from Che earliest
and most distinguished settlers o.
America. This ono exception was Mt.
st. Gaudens, tho sculptor, whose ia
thor was Fourth avenue tradesman.
He was the only one there to represent
the aristocracy OF talent. All the rest
of the guests comprised the Stuyves-
ants, the Van Renssellaers and other old
families, whose claims to lead society
have been overlooked In recent years
IN favor Of the Vanderbilts and other
members Of the aristocraay Of wealth.
IN, Y. Press.